Spring 2012 - Science Travels

Spring 2012
Newsletter
A student at
N’Swakamok
Native
Alternative
School learning
about green
power by
putting together
a solar car
Whatever it takes!
Contents
In the 2011-2012 academic year, Science Travels sent
volunteers across Canada to more remote and rural
places than ever before! Graduate students from the
University of Ottawa and Carleton University traveled
across Canada presenting hands-on science activities
to encourage student interest in science. Volunteers
offered workshops on everything from the science of
flight to ocean acidification to solar energy. Volunteers
even helped with a Science Fair in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut.
In the name of science, volunteers travelled by car,
taxi, bus, commercial plane, helicopter, fighter plane,
dog sled and snow mobile to reach both rural and
remote parts of Canada. These dedicated volunteers
will stop at nothing to ensure science outreach spreads
as far across our nation as possible!
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Spring 2012
Year in Review
Volunteers and Schools Visited
Spring 2012 by the numbers
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2
2
Year in Review
Let’s Talk Northern Lights
Moosonee, Moose Factory
Spotlight on Dryden and Kenora
I’ll definitely do it again!
Coordinators
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Science Travels
Spring 2012 Volunteers and the Schools They Visited
Moosonee
&
Moose Factory
Jeffrey Smith
Derek Toms (University of
Guelph)
Jan Edward Lim (University of
Guelph)
Hay River, Fort Resolution
&
Yellowknife
Jennette Fox
Jen Ronholm
South River, Sudbury, & North
Bay
Jill Gedeon
Nina Mamaeva
Kendra Hodgkinson
Val-Rita, Timmins, & New
Liskeard
Francine Hart
Hilary Phenix
Adeniyi Abimbola
Katie Pitts
Le Hoa Tan
White Dog, Pawitik, Kejick &
Migsi Sahgaigan
Pangnirtung
Moosonee Public School
Christian Academy
Northern Lights Secondary School
Bishop Belleau Catholic School
Moosonee Native Friendship Centre
M.F. Minisitk School
John Franklin Elementary
JH Sissons Elementary School
* Diamond Jenness School *
* Princess Alexandra School *
* Deninu School *
Almaguin Highlands Secondary School
N’Swakamok Native Alternative School
Marymount Academy
West Ferris High School
* N’Bising First Nation School *
Ecole Catholique St. Rita
O’Gorman High School
Timmins Native Friendship Centre
Timmins High and Vocational School
Ecole Catholique Secondaire Saint Maire
Timiskaming District School
Mizhakii Memorial School
Baibombeh Anisinabe School
David Kejick School
* Migisi Sahgaigan School *
Nicole Schaffer
*Attagoyuk Ilisavik High School*
* Denotes a new partnership school
Spring 2012 by the numbers
Who are we reaching?
Aboriginal Students
43%
50%
7%
Non -Aboriginal
(Francophone)
Students
Non -Aboriginal
(Anglophone) Students
2723 students participated in
Science Travels workshops in
Spring 2012
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Volunteers
14 graduate student volunteers from a
variety of disciplines including sexual
health, chemistry, biology, human
kinetics, optics, chemical engineering,
geology, climate change and
neuroscience.
Workshops
133 workshops were delivered in a total
of 28 educational centres including
elementary schools, high schools and
native friendship centres.
Travel
18 different communities were visited
including places in Northern Ontario,
Nunavut and Northwest Territories.
Spring 2012
Science Travels
5166 Youth reached this year!
In the 2011-2012 academic year, 25 volunteers travelled all over Ontario, Nunavut and
Northwest Territories to present over 246 workshops to over 5166 students in elementary,
high schools and native friendship centres! This year we reached six new communities;
Hay River, NWT, Igloolik, NT, Migisi Sahgaigan, ON, Fort Resolution, NWT, Pangnirtung, NT
and Pawitik, ON and new schools in N’Bising First Nation School in North Bay and
Christian Academy in Moosonee !
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Spring 2012
Science Travels
Let’s Talk Northern Lights
Jen Ronholm
Jen Ronholm on a Buffalo Airways
flight from Yellowknife to Hay River
Most Science Travels volunteers have had the
opportunity to present the Chemistry Magic Show
and most volunteers probably know how excited
students get at the end of the presentation when
the flame changes colors after the addition of
different metals. Usually the students respond with
“WOW!” or “Amazing” or by rapidly raising (and
shaking) their hands to be the next volunteer with
the metal powder. However, in Hay River when
copper was added to the fire and green flames lit
up the classroom several students, almost in unison,
declared “Northern Lights!” This response made
sense later in the night when we were treated to a
spectacular show of real Northern Lights. This also
offered an excellent teachable moment! We
excitedly explained that the Northern Lights are the
product of solar energy exciting oxygen and
nitrogen atoms in the atmosphere. As these
particles return to their ground state they emit a
color, which is the same phenomenon that we
were observing in the classroom, but on a much
smaller scale. It was excellent to have the chance
to explain the science behind something that the
students experience on a regular basis. My hope,
that this information will ripple its way through the
community, was inspired by a young student on his
way out of the classroom who told me, “I’m going
to go home and see if my dad knows how
Northern Lights work.”
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In another classroom after performing the same
experiment we asked the students what they
thought we put on the fire to make it turn green.
One student simply replied “copper”, as if it were
the most mundane thing he had ever seen. When I
asked how he knew he said you get a better colour
if you stick a garden hose in a copper pipe and
throw it in a fire. As this was an interesting, but new,
concept for me I asked the teacher about it after
the students left. She explained that those were:
“Fireworks. Hay River style…”
An unexpected bonus to this trip was on our flight
back to Yellowknife when “Buffalo” Joe McBryan,
the owner of Buffalo Airways, asked if we wanted to
take pictures from cockpit of the plane. A nobrainer “YES!” easily made this one of the coolest
days of my life. Particularly so after he explained
that the plane we were riding in participated in the
invasion of Normandy in WW2. Wow! We ended up
hanging out in the Buffalo hanger and having
breakfast and coffee with Buffalo Joe and this has
provided me with my first “story to tell my grandkids”. I hope that someday I get the opportunity to
go back to Hay River!
“It was great having Jen and Jennette
here! There were such good role models,
positive and enthusiastic about learning
science! The kids especially benefitted
from this fascination and the sense of fun. I
found most valuable when the volunteers
shared information about their careers and
interests in science. Both of them shared
some great information about careers in
science (incl. science techs). That is useful
information for our students and so much
more effective coming from a "live"
scientist, rather than the textbook.”
Anne Cunningham, Program Support
Teacher, Diamond Jenness Secondary
School
Spring 2012
Science Travels
Moosonee, Moose Factory
Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith with students in Moosonee
Ontario is a peculiar place where the northern
reaches of the province seem so distant yet are not
nearly as far north reaching as our western provinces.
My recent voyage with two students from the
University of Guelph to Moosonee and Moose Factory,
Ontario exemplified just that. Since Moosonee and
Moose Factory share similar latitude as Winnipeg, MB I
cannot claim to have seen the true north, but still I feel
as though I have experienced an extremely unique
northern community. After all, the grocery store was
named “Northern” so I must be in the north right?
Moosonee is a small mostly Cree-speaking
aboriginal community located near the edge of
Hudson Bay in an inlet found due west of James Bay.
Moose Factory is a small island reserve located a short
boat, helicopter flight or truck ride away depending
on the time of year. Interestingly the only viable means
of travel to Moosonee is train or plane with no direct
road accessibility. Our visit was opportune to have
been able to witness the remnants of an early ice
breakup where we could see massive sheets of ice
having been crushed together and slid on top of one
another stuck on a sandbar just outside of our hotel,
The Polar Bear Lodge. It was also the time of year that
potholes were more abundant than coins in a wishing
well. This made for an interesting driving experience;
thankfully we went by taxi and were not required to
navigate the unknown roads on our own. On a funny
note the first taxi we took the driver turned to look at
me and said, “You must not be from around here
because I’ve never seen anyone put a seatbelt on.”
During our time in Moosonee we were able to visit
four elementary schools (Moosonee Public School,
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Bishop Belleau Catholic School, Moose Factory
Academy of Christian Education and Moose
Factory Minisitk School), one high school (Northern
Lights Secondary School) and the Moosonee Native
Friendship Centre. We met a number of keen and
caring teachers along the way and had a chance
to talk and socialize with some. I must at this point
make a notable mention of Angela Tozer, the
principal of NLSS, who went well beyond the call of
duty and provided us with insurance to fly by
helicopter from Moosonee to Moose Factory with
return trips for the two days of activities in Moose
Factory. And yes, before you ask, sitting in the front
seat of the helicopter with nearly 180 degree
visibility around you, even below your feet viewing
the landscape as it passes beneath you is
awesome. Unfortunately after exiting one of the
flights a member of the team from Let’s Talk
Science in Guelph mistakenly left a bag containing
souvenirs on the helicopter. Thankfully, and as a
testament to the true solidarity of the community,
the bag mysteriously appeared outside our hotel
room door the next day.
In another chance situation we were invited to
dinner by a complete stranger. So for the final night
of our visit we were treated to the most awesome
home cooked steak dinner that sure beat the
standard day old unrefrigerated roast beef
sandwiches I had been subsisting on for the entire
week. All in all I cannot think of a more deserving
community with enthusiastic students to have
visited. I can only hope through word of mouth of
the students who attended our presentations that
the large percentage of kids not attending school
might change their minds the next time we come
around.
Spring 2012
A view of
Moosonee
Science Travels
Spotlight on:
New Communities around Dryden and Kenora
I had the great privilege of going to the areas of
greater Dryden and Kenora, Ontario this spring with
Science Travels. The communities we visited were
Wabaseemoong, Pawitik, Kejick and Migisi
Sahgaigan First Nations. This trip was special for
several reasons. First, my fellow volunteer, Le Hoa
Tan, and I were first-time volunteers with Science
Travels. Second, one of the communities we visited
was a new one for Science Travels (Baibombeh
Anishenabe School in Pawitik). Traveling around the
city of Ottawa for Let’s Talk Science is always a great
experience, but the added distance traveled for the
Science Travels trips really hits the kids when you
explain how far you flew and drove to come see
them and share your own love of science (or
engineering in my case).
Most of the groups we were teaching were
Katie Pitts with students in Pawtik
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Katie Pitts
“The girls were great and had a lot
of fun and interesting things to
share with our students. This
morning, during our Monday
morning smudging ceremony,
one of Kindergartens was able to
share with the group one of the
things he learned. The
presentation certainly left a lasting
impression.
Andrew Kivell, Migisi Sahgaigan
School, Principal
smaller than 20 students and had at least 3
age levels of students. Teaching to such
varied age groups presents a challenge. In
group activities, we always tried to mix the
older students with the younger students to
help them. While the multi-grade groups
can be difficult to balance, the impact of
what you can share with the students is
much greater in these smaller classrooms.
The response from the students and
teachers participating in the activities was
very positive. Probably my favorite moments
were when the students would tell me what
they learned after I had finished a demo
and how they were looking forward to more
science later in school or more visits from
Science Travels volunteers. Overall it was a
great experience in a gorgeous setting, not
to mention seeing black bears, wolves and
a fox in the wild. Meegwetch for the
opportunity to represent Science Travels on
this adventure!
Spring 2012
Science Travels
I'll definitely do it again!
Science Travels as Experienced by a First Time Volunteer
Jill Gedeon
“Good Job! It was very interesting and informative!
I like that you included your research as well!”
Grade 12 student, Sudbury
This year I had the opportunity to go on my very
first Science Travels trip and it took place in South
River, North Bay and Sudbury. The ride there was
absolutely gorgeous and it was a chance for all of us
graduate students to really bond and get to know
each other.
Teaching in various high schools was such a great
experience because you get exposed to a variety of
students of different ages and ways of thinking. My
favourite part was getting to know all of the
students’ names and getting a little taste of all of
their personalities. It’s so rewarding to know that your
presentation is helping them understand science a
little bit more and is increasing their interest in the
subject. I really believe that if given the proper
resources, and if the educator has enough passion
for the subject that he or she is teaching, education
can go a very long way.
The DNA Forensics kit was a popular activity that
I presented often during my trip and it was very
successful every time. This kit includes a lot of
hands-on activities, one of which uses twizzlers and
marshmallows to create a double-stranded DNA
helix. Students got to understand the chemistry
behind DNA and the concept of complimentary
base-pairing. Another activity that is included in
this kit is DNA extraction, which many students
never get to do in their classes. In my experience,
bananas work the best because you don’t need
much of it to see a lot of the DNA. Students were so
shocked to see that DNA looked like goop! They’re
definitely never going to forget that moment.
Another popular kit, and now on my list of
favourite activities, was the chemistry magic show.
It’s just so much fun! It involves colours, acids and
bases, fire, and explosions – who doesn’t love it?
This kit really made science look “cool” and proved
to students that science is extremely relevant to
real life and that it surrounds us everywhere we go.
Overall, the trip was extremely successful and I
had an amazing time. It made me discover my
passion for teaching and sharing something I love. I
cannot wait to go on my next Science Travels trip
because I know that no matter where I end up, it’ll
be an awesome time. I think this program is so
great and I am sure that many teachers that have
seen our presentations are thankful for everybody
who volunteers their time for this. Thank you NSERC,
CIHR and the University of Ottawa!!
“The students really enjoyed the hands-on
activities and the presentations as well. It
was great to have young scientists talking
about the research they are doing. Hope to
see your students next year”
Jill performing the Chemistry
Magic Show
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Jason Weiler, Science Department,
Marymount Academy
Spring 2012
Science Travels
Program Coordinators
Barbara Vanderhyden
Barb is the founder and director
of Science Travels. Without her,
this amazing program wouldn’t
exist!
Contact Us:
Beckie Granatstein
Program Manager
Justin Renaud
Beckie Granatstein
Justin is the Science Travels
Kits Coordinator. Justin
ensures that each volunteer is
well trained on the kits
needed for their travels and
they leave with all they need
for a successful voyage.
Beckie is the Program Manager
of Science Travels. From
organizing the volunteers to
corresponding with educators
and making travel
arrangements, she does it all!
Science Travels is funded by an NSERC PromoScience
grant, a CIHR Synapse grant, and support from Buffalo
Airway & Air Inuit and the following uOttawa programs:
Experiential Learning Service, Student Academic Success
Services, Aboriginal Resource Centre, Au Service du Monde,
Administration Committee, and the Faculties of Science,
Engineering and Medicine.
Room 304 Tabaret Hall
University of Ottawa
550 Cumberland Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 6N5
Tel: (613) 562-5800 x 2909
Fax: (613) 562- 5285
[email protected]
Caption des
or graphic.
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Spring 2012
Science Travels
cribing picture