LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - When a geology lesson involves eating cookies, vanilla pudding and chocolate pudding, few children will say no.

Those were three ingredients included in an edible demonstration of soil layers used in a science camp in Fort Simpson, early this month. From July 6 to 10, two staff members with Elephant Thoughts entertained and educated children in Fort Simpson about science by using fun hands-on experiments.

Gabriel Day, 10, holds an albino California king snake at the Elephant Thoughts science camp that was held in Fort Simpson last week. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

"Everyone loves science," said Thomas Houston, one of the instructors.

This is the third year Elephant Thoughts, an education charity based out of Collingwood, Ont., has run a science camp in the village. Brighter Futures, a health promotion and ill-health prevention program at Liidlii Kue First Nation, funded by the Government of Canada, sponsored the camp.

During the week, more than 20 participants learned about a wide variety of sciences and scientific theories. A popular session involved making marble roller coasters by fitting together plastic tracks that marbles can roll along.

While playing, the students learned about gravity, friction and how to make a structure stable. At first each group wanted to build upwards even if one of them had to hold the roller coaster so it didn't topple over, said Houston.

"It's all trial and error for them," said instructor Allison Mills.

The two reptiles the organization brought were also a hit. Participants got to see both an albino California king snake and an albino leopard gecko. Some of the youth felt bold enough to have the snake draped around their necks.

"It's good to show them these animals are actually harmless," Houston said.

One of Elephant Thoughts' primary objectives is to ensure the availability of proper education to children all over the world.

Houston, who has been with the organization for six years, said it's great to be able to introduce youth to parts of science they might not otherwise see.

"They love it," he said.

Some of the concepts and demonstration pieces, like a large geode - a geological rock formation which occurs in sedimentary and certain volcanic rocks and often contains crystal formations - used during the geology session, were new to the participants.

"It's a huge learning curve with all of these things," said Houston.

The youth, however, pick it up really fast, he said.

The experiments are what River Norwegian, 10, was enjoying during the camp.

There was disappearing blue ink that you could put on your clothes because it didn't leave a stain and flash paper that left no trace after burning, she said.

"It's fun," said Norwegian to describe science.

The albino snake was Charles Blondin's favourite part of the camp.

Blondin, 11, was one of the participants who let the snake rest around his neck.

"It was like a weird, weird feeling,' he said.

Blondin said he likes science. He's debating, however, if he'd rather be a scientist or a police officer when he grows up.