Media Advisory - Area high school students to participate in annual Let’s DO Science Day

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

About 120 high school students from Lethbridge and area will participate in a variety of science activities at the University of Lethbridge on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at the annual Let’s DO Science Day. The event will be filled with numerous fun, hands-on science activities for enthusiastic students, exposing them to several different streams of science and encouraging them to think about potential careers and futures in post-secondary education.

The students will engage in an array of activities exposing them to state-of-the-art scientific problems and procedures, challenging their scientific knowledge. Among other activities, students will have the chance to experience chemistry with oxidation reactions, experiment with fluorescent proteins in biochemistry, code their own website about the earth and check out technology used in geological research, and learn about the spread of disease in epidemiology.

During lunch, students will enjoy a presentation by Dr. Sergio Pellis from the U of L’s Department of Neuroscience. Pellis will highlight his research accomplishments regarding the effects of play on the brain, and also share stories about his own career with the students to inspire them in their future pursuits.

Let’s DO Science Day is organized each year by science graduate and undergraduate students at the University who volunteer for the national Let’s Talk Science Outreach program. It is their goal to share their passion for science with high school students, to increase public accessibility of science and to inspire students to pursue careers in science. The activities for the event have been designed by graduate student and faculty volunteers between several different science disciplines. Overall, more than 20 graduate and undergraduate student volunteers, along with faculty members, will assist during the day to make it a fun and inspiring experience for everyone involved.

WHEN: Thursday, April 27, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: University of Lethbridge
    4401 University Drive
    Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3M4
(Note: in the morning and afternoon, students will gather in the PE building, room PE261. Throughout the rest of the day, students are scattered in small groups across campus in teaching labs and classrooms – the Let’s Talk Science team can bring interested media to these locations)

MEDIA CONTACT:
Zach Wanner (wannerz@uleth.ca; cell phone: 403-304-3686), Graduate Student Coordinator and Let’s Do Science Day Organizer at the UofL
Dr. Ute Kothe (ute.kothe@uleth.ca; Office 403-332-5273, cell phone: 403-393-9226), Let’s Talk Science Faculty Supervisor, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.

ABOUT LET’S TALK SCIENCE:

The Let’s Talk Science Outreach program at the University of Lethbridge targets local high schools and is managed by graduate student volunteers in the sciences. This program enhances the science experience of high school students and provides graduate students with the opportunity to grow their skills in science communication, thereby strengthening the connection between the University and local schools. In previous years, the Let’s Talk Science Outreach program has conducted numerous school visits to high school classes in Lethbridge and southern Alberta; has offered teachers’ workshops at Teachers Convention; and has added to the scientific program at the Lethbridge Science Fairs by offering tours of research laboratories and offering numerous hands-on activities for participants.

The Let’s Talk Science Outreach program is supported by the national Let’s Talk Science organization. Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning, national, non-profit, science outreach organization. Let’s Talk Science creates and delivers science learning programs and services that turn children and youth on to science, keep them engaged in learning and develop their potential to become 21st century citizens, innovators and stewards. For more information about Let’s Talk Science, please visit www.letstalkscience.ca or outreach.letstalkscience.ca/uleth