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Science camp teaches hands-on lessons
DiscoverE gives rural, isolated kids opportunities for science experiments
Samantha Stokell Northern News Services Published Thursday, August 11, 2011
DiscoverE, an student-run organization based at the University of Alberta, taught youth the camp that science can be fun and possibly a career, through the camp held Aug. 8 to 11 in Ingamo Hall. Two students from the university's Department of Engineering, Science and Technology taught the youth about chemistry, biology, engineering and energy through science crafts. "The program is kind of neat because it promotes accessibility and that anyone can go to university," said Kristen Carlson, the satellite co-ordinator, who grew up in rural Alberta. "Science is something everyone should have access to." Carlson and fellow instructor Chris Beckett both grew up in rural communities and now attend the University of Alberta. They share their love of science with elementary school-age students living in rural communities in the hopes of inspiring them to take a career path in that direction. "People from more isolated communities can bring something unique that urban kids can't," Carlson said. "They bring certain life experiences and they can bring science back to their own communities." Inuvik youth Samantha McDonald, 9, attended the camp because her parents were working and she wanted to do something fun, do crafts and meet new people. She enjoys science in school, but finds the camp more fun "because we're doing stuff." On Aug. 8, the children worked on a marble project and also a chemical project involving Alka-Seltzer, water and a film canister. "With Alka-Seltzer, you use it when you have a bad tummy," McDonald said. "When Alka-Seltzer and water mix together, it makes air and you put a lid over it and it just explodes." The rockets are always a huge hit at the camps, but it allows children to learn and be experts on certain subjects. "They're able to make something and take it home at the end of the day," Carlson said. "They can be an expert on something they made and know how and why it works." Over the four days, the youth completed several experiments including: the marble works – an experiment in engineering, structural support and potential and kinetic energy; a body map – to locate organs and study local plants which act as remedies; slime – building chemical reactions with different polymers; studying the impact of soda on teeth by immersing egg shells in cups of Coca Cola; and the Alka-Seltzer rockets. For Ally Engram, 10, the science camp was a chance to further explore a subject she enjoys in school. "I won first place at the science fair. I tested vocal range and how high and low people can go," Engram said. "I want to do science later, but we'll have to wait and see what the future is."
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