Partnering with Frontier College

Let’s Talk Science is a proud partner of Frontier College, a national literacy organization that trains volunteers and staff to work with Canadians of all ages in a variety of learning programs. Over this past year, our Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteers have visited Frontier College programs. As well, the Let’s Talk Science staff team created activities for Frontier College staff and volunteers to use in their Aboriginal Literacy Summer Camp Program.

On August 12, two Let’s Talk Science Outreach volunteers from the University of Manitoba visited a local summer camp run by Frontier College at Elmwood Community Centre in Winnipeg. Volunteers Janet Lee and Graham Cox engaged Kindergarten to Grade 3 students with their ‘Sew an E.Coli’ and ‘Bone Zone’ workshops.

The children “were very excited and also very cooperative” recalls Lee, “They answered every question we asked them, which was very impressive, and we still taught them many things.”

While learning about E.Coli and the bones in the body, the children took part in fun, hands-on activities. Each child made their own plush E.Coli model as well as a model of the bones in the hand that they could test out by trying to pick up various objects.

“The kids seemed to really enjoy both of the activities we did with them, “ explains Cox. “They liked stuffing their E. coli with fuzz, and loved saying the word ‘flagellum’. They also enjoyed seeing their hands they created move in a grasping motion just like their actual hands do. They all thanked us for coming and a few even gave some hugs at the end.”

Earlier this year, Let’s Talk Science created 10 activity guides for Frontier College summer staff to use at their Aboriginal Literacy Summer Camps. Incorporating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with literacy, these activities were created to be used in a camp-type setting. This past July, these activities were done 75 times across camps in Ontario!

We are excited to work together with Frontier College to inspire and engage even more children, youth and adults with the wonders of STEM! To learn more about Let’s Talk Science’s national Outreach Program and/or request our volunteers to join your next community event or visit your classroom, see www.letstalkscience.ca/Programs/Lets-Talk-Science-Outreach . For more information about our national partners please visit: www.letstalkscience.ca/support/our-partners.