WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: PE250, 1st Choice Savings Centre track, University of Lethbridge
(Note: in the morning, students will gather in the 1st Choice Savings Centre, PE250. The science quiz competition will take place first, followed by lunch and a keynote speaker. The engineering challenge will take place after lunch on the athletic track, and the day will finish back in PE250 for the winner announcements – the Let’s Talk Science team can escort interested media to these locations.)
On Thursday, May 2, more than 100 students in grades 6-8 from across southern Alberta will participate in the Let’s Talk Science Challenge at the University of Lethbridge. This is the first year that the U of L is participating in the Challenge, a Canada-wide competition being held at 27 colleges and universities from coast-to-coast.
The theme of the challenge this year is space, celebrating recent and historical achievements in space, and Canada’s involvement. In the morning, students will first take part in a science quiz competition, with questions from diverse areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). After lunch, students will compete in an engineering design challenge, where they will use their wits and creativity to build a contraption of a type and purpose that will be kept secret until the challenge itself.
During lunch, students will be treated to a keynote presentation by Dr. Randall Barley, an instructor in the U of L’s Department of Biological Sciences, who has an engaging and fascinating talk about his research and career.
The Let’s Talk Science Challenge is an event organized by science graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Lethbridge who volunteer for the national Let’s Talk Science outreach program. It is their goal to share their passion for science with students, to increase the public accessibility of science and to inspire students to pursue careers in science. 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.
CONTACT:
Nathan Hill (nathan.hill@uleth.ca; cell phone: 403-360-2382), Graduate Student Coordinator and Let’s Talk Science Challenge Organizer at the U of L
Dr. Ute Kothe (ute.kothe@uleth.ca; 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 the 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 the local schools. In the last years, the Let’s Talk Science Outreach program at the University of Lethbridge has conducted numerous school visits to high school classes in Lethbridge and southern Alberta; has offered teachers’ workshops at the 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 at the University of Lethbridge 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.
