ASPIRE (Arts & Science Programs Inspiring Research & Exploration)

ASPIRE

ASPIRE (Arts & Science Programs Inspiring Research & Exploration) offers year-round activities to children and adults alike. Our goal is to promote ASPIRE and educate children, youth, and community members to have the power and knowledge to make a difference in the world. ASPIRE programs offer experiences, learning opportunities, and mentorship that we hope will enhance the lives of all students, leading to life-long learning as individuals pursue careers in their chosen fields.  

We offer experiential activities such as do-it-yourself science which empowers people to try it themselves and leads to an entrepreneurial and self-motivated learning frame of mind. Using inclusive and cross-cultural activities we also aim to inspire, engage and spark a curiosity for lifelong learning in every member of the Lethbridge and southern Alberta communities.

ASPIRE serves the communities in Southern Alberta and the University of Lethbridge by:

  • Showcasing the U of L as a center of excellence and leadership and as a destination university (e.g. by attracting the Canada-Wide Science Fair)
  • Exposing the community, particularly children and youth, year-round to science, technology, engineering and math (and related fields)
  • Offering in- and out-of-school activities that enhance and build on the Alberta curriculum
  • Sparking curiosity and encouraging excitement and interest in all areas of arts and science
  • Educating the community about the relevance of ASPIRE in everyday life and about career opportunities in ASPIRE
  • Contributing to the development of children and youth as leaders of tomorrow
  • Being a part of activities important to the community, and contributing our knowledge, time and expertise to support these activities
  • Engaging children, youth, their families, schools and the general community in continuing exchange with the University community (e.g. at the Spooky Science Nights)
  • Extending the University experience to children and youth as potential future U of L students
  • Attracting more, highly motivated students to enroll in ASPIRE programs in general, and at the U of L in particular to increase student recruitment and retention
  • Adding value to the U of L undergraduate and graduate student experience by offering opportunities in ASPIRE outreach and community engagement for U of L students thereby enabling them to become future U of L and science ambassadors and engaged citizens

ASPIRE activities take place on and off-campus (e.g. in schools) year-round. Learn more about these ASPIRE programs, currently operating at the University of Lethbridge, directly below:

Destination Exploration

Destination Exploration, the U of L’s leading youth science program, provides young people in kindergarten to grade 9 with positive, interactive, educational and social learning experiences that promote science, technology, teamwork and leadership. By encouraging young people’s natural curiosity, they are inspired to become learners for life, as well as develop and grow their self-confidence, creativity and critical thinking skills.

Programs we provide:

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Contact:

Valerie Archibald
Director of Youth Outreach
Destination Exploration

2018 HS iGEM Team

High School iGEM

High school students work directly with U of L undergraduates and graduate students on developing and executing a research project within the frame of the iGEM (international Genetically Engineered Machine) competition, providing a high-quality, hands-on science experience, forging unique mentor-mentee relationships between the high school and university students. The target group are High School students. Participants have been in grades 9 - 12 with the majority in grades 11 &12. The participation is free. High school students work directly with U of L undergraduates and graduate students on developing and executing a research project within the frame of the iGEM (international Genetically Engineered Machine) competition, providing a high-quality, hands-on science experience, forging unique mentor-mentee relationships between the high school and university students. The target group are High School students. Participants have been in grades 10 - 12 with the majority in grades 11 &12. Participation is free.

Contact:

Laura Keffer-Wilkes
Program Coordinator
Phone: (403) 382-7121

For more information on previous projects:

Let's Talk Science

By providing free hands-on activities to youth, it is the aim of the Let’s Talk Science Program to promote science by showing its impact in everyday life, to demonstrate that high-quality science delivers meaningful results, and to instill critical thinking skills in youth to enable them to make informed judgements about science. At the same time, we encourage youth to consider careers in a wide range of science, engineering and technology disciplines by providing them with science experience, information and personal role models. Let’s Talk Science targets primarily students in grades 6 -12.

Contact(s):

Ute Wieden-Kothe
Supervisor
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Faculty of Arts & Science

Helena Danyk
Faculty Advisor
Biological Sciences
Faculty of Arts & Science

Wayne Lippa
Faculty Advisor
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Faculty of Arts & Science

Ken Vos
Faculty Advisor
Physics & Astronomy
Faculty of Arts & Science

The Chem Guys

The Chem Guys deliver high-quality chemistry demonstration shows to a wide range of students at all levels of schooling (elementary, middle, high, and post-secondary) in order to increase their interest in and excitement about science.

Contact(s):

Wayne Lippa
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Faculty of Arts & Science

John Eng
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Faculty of Arts & Science

Aboriginal Outreach

The Aboriginal Outreach program by Michelle Hogue provides safe, culturally relevant community learning environments for Aboriginal students to build positive engaging experiences while learning about science, technology and math (STM). Engaging Aboriginal students in STM early in culturally relevant ways will enable their success and open doors to PSE STM career choices. Check out a video that explains the program in greater detail.

Contact(s):

Michelle Hogue, Coordinator
First Nations' Transition Program

Problem Solving With Puzzles

This is an exploration of critical thinking and problem solving skills, done through puzzles and games. Students look for patterns and strategies and explore inductive and deductive reasoning, in a one-to-two hour workshop suitable for junior high and high school students.

Contact:

Shelly Wismath
Math & Computer Science
Faculty of Arts & Science

Fun With Math

Fun with Math provides students in grades 7 – 12 with the opportunity to explore and interact with mathematics in both a fun and competitive atmosphere through problem solving and exposure to different fields of mathematics.

Contact:

Jana Archibald
Math & Computer Science
Faculty of Arts & Science