Photo caption; Let’s Talk Science in Action at UWinnipeg
WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg’s Let’s Talk Science program kicks into high gear in May with a number of challenges and presentations aimed at reaching the public, and in particular, inner city youth and engaging them in science and environmental issues. Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable organization that approaches science education with fun, hands-on/minds-on activities to improve the understanding of physical and life science, mathematics and technology. This approach builds critical life skills, including problem-solving, communication and teamwork, and accounts for the fact that each individual learns in their own unique way.
Friday, May 4th, 2012 – 8am-3pm
UWinnipeg All Science Challenge
Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex and Main Campus
Pre-registration required
Over the past three months, UWinnipeg volunteers 14 Undergraduate student volunteers visited inner- city school children in Grade 6- 8 for an after school mentorship enrichment program led by students Stefanie Payne and Julie Hernandez. (Schools included: A.E. Wright, Mulvey, St. Edwards, Wellington, Andrew Mynarski – other schools will also be participating in the challenge. Topics ranged from mathematics, biology to psychology, geology and physics. The All Science Challenge is an opportunity for inner city students that have a passion for science to compete in a one day tournament focused completely on science.
The morning will consist of Jeopardy styled mini-competitions, and the afternoon incorporates a hands-on component where everyone competes against one another in a design challenge. At the end of the day we reward all the students for their participation and award the winners with grand prizes.
Friday, May 11th, 2012 – 10am-4pm
Mini-Master’s Program Posters and Presentations
Room 3D12 – Duckworth Centre
Open to the public
Over the past few months we have matched high school students from Gordon Bell High School with University of Winnipeg senior undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doc students and faculty. These matches were made based on the students interests in fields including biology, physics, chemistry, anthropology and psychology. A total of 16 hard working students are going to be presenting their research in a mini master’s poster and presentation. Thanks to the generous support from the President’s Innovative Fund, the top three projects will result in scholarships totaling $2,000.00
Saturday, May 12th, 2012 – 11am- 3 pm
Science Rendezvous
Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex – 599 Portage Avenue
Open to the public
The University of Winnipeg is participating in a national initiative. Initiated by UWinnipeg’s Dr. Tabitha Wood, Chemistry professor, and partnered with Let’s Talk Science, Science Rendezvous swings open the doors of the Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex at 599 Portage Avenue to the public. Anyone interested in science and environment is encouraged to attend where they will meet professional scientists and see a corn starch and water pool, glow room, optics and laser room, a Music of Science room as well as many more fun filled activities.This state-of-the-art building, completed in 2011, is one of the finest educational facilities in Canada with more than 30 teaching labs, a rooftop greenhouse and a spectacular public atrium with 9 living trees.
Friday, May 18th, 2012 – 8:30am
High School Symposium on Climate Change, the Environment and Sustainability
Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex – 599 Portage Avenue
Pre-registration required
This symposium on climate change, the environments and sustainability is designed to give grade 11 and 12 students insight into the environmental challenges, and potential solutions facing our world today. It explores how science is used to understand the impacts of climate change and looks at solutions to climate change and how we can build a more sustainable society. The symposium will be structured around a series of workshops, interspersed with focus group discussions and keynote speakers. The morning workshops will focus on science and research related to climate change, while the afternoon will focus on innovative solutions that are being implemented to address the problem.
Many thanks to UWinnipeg Let’s Talk Science volunteers and student coordinators:
Anthony Duncan – All Sceicne Challenge
Kanisha Cruz-Kan – Mini Master’s Program
Laura Romas – Science Rendezvous
Joseph Wasylycia-Leis – High School Symposium
Find out more about UWinnipeg’s Let’s Talk Science program.
Contacts:
Let’s Talk Science
University of Winnipeg
Coordinators: Chantel Mayo, Brent Gali, Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar and Beata Biernacka
Email: ltsuofw@gmail.com
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MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
