Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

TUKTOYAKTUK - Kids in Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk recently had the chance to learn about science and chemistry when a travelling science camp rolled through the Delta communities.

Nathan Kuptana shows off the crystal garden he grew at the Discover E science camp in Tuktoyaktuk. - photo courtesy of Shelagh Pyper/Discover E

Shelagh Pyper is the director of Discover E science camps, an Alberta-based not-for-profit group that helps kids learn about science.

"Our goal is to make science and engineering fun," said Pyper. "We want it to be something kids can relate to and we want them to see science is something they can do themselves," she said.

The instructors make science fun by using games and hands-on projects that will catch kids' attention. She said the program is designed to build participants' confidence in themselves when it comes to science. By showing them how fun it can be, it is hoped many will decide to pursue careers in a related field.

Since the group is not-for-profit, it relies on corporate sponsorship to travel to places like Tuk and Aklavik. Pyper said that a $25,000 donation from Shell Canada made the trip to the Beaufort-Delta possible.

"Really, without that sponsorship it just wouldn't fly," she said.

Youth in Tuktoyaktuk attended the camp at the Tuk Youth Centre. Co-ordinator Lisa Steen said it was a great opportunity for everyone involved and the kids had a great time.

She said a lot of the projects taught the kids about chemistry.

"The kids made crystal gardens and those turned out to be really nice. They grew out of the container on to the counter," said Steen.

She said they also made their own lava lamps one day, and a substance called "floam" which feels soft like foam but also is pliable like clay.

"They handed out t-shirts to the kids and they left some of the stuff behind so we can make floam again," said Steen

Sherry Gruben, 11, said she enjoyed making her own candy.

"It was fizzy," she said. "We made it out of baking soda, icing sugar, citric acid, and we had Kool-Aid flavor."

She said she might try making candy again on her own now that she has the recipe.