On a sunny summer day, 31 teachers from across Nova Scotia descended on campus to learn more about enhancing science in schools.
This unique one-day conference was organized by the (ASLA). With nearly 150 active scientists and engineers from all over Nova Scotia as volunteers, ASLA鈥檚 mandate is to create sustainable relationships between the scientific and education communities in order to provide Nova Scotia's youth with experiences and opportunities to explore the sciences.
ASLA is currently funded by (NSERC), the Faculty of Science at AV俱乐部, and .
鈥淲e hope to inspire Nova Scotia's young people by creating opportunities to explore the sciences,鈥� says Rajesh Rajaselvam, Executive Director of ASLA. 鈥淐onferences like this help achieve this goal by encouraging high school students to think about careers in these fields鈥�.
The focus of the conference was specifically on junior high science curriculum, and how science can be brought back into the classroom. Those in attendance were split up into two groups, and participants continuously switched labs throughout the day. Each lab had a different topic, including:
- Cell biology - led by Arunika Gunawardena: In this lab, participants had the opportunity to study animal and plant cells under a microscope.
- Ecology - led by Rajesh Rajaselvam: The teachers were taken out into the 鈥渇ield鈥� to compare micro ecosystems by collecting environmental and soil data for the workshop.
- Earth sciences - led by Richard Cox: In this lab, participants were able to take home a box of samples of their schools, including many rocks, minerals and a hardness kit to share with their students.
- Chemistry - led by Jason Masuda (Saint Mary鈥檚 University): The teachers participating in this lab were able to use eggs and fruit punch to explain important chemistry concepts.
The day concluded with all the teachers back together as one group for a final lab, which consisted of a fish dissection by Neil Ross from the Faculty of Science
The teachers in attendance were thrilled to be able to participate, with one commenting that 鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe I was able to have this experience- and at no cost to me. I am truly inspired by the passion showed by everyone today!鈥�
Support for organizations promoting an understanding of science and engineering
This conference was a first for ASLA, and was made possible by a grant the organization recently received from the NSERC鈥檚 PromoScience Program.
鈥淚 think the conference was a great success,鈥� says Arunika Gunawardena, President of ASLA and Professor in the Faculty of Science. 鈥淲e are hoping to make this an annual event, and are optimistic in obtaining funding for the future. The ASLA Board is very grateful to NSERC, Faculty of Science and Engineers Nova Scotia for their support鈥�.
The PromoScience Program offers financial support for organizations working with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science and engineering.
In addition to hosting this particular conference, the PromoScience grant will allow ASLA to expand its program to cover nearly the entire province, by allowing for a staff person to coordinate communications between volunteers and teachers, recruit new volunteers, and reach out to teachers in various regions to make them aware of the program
For more information about the PromoScience funding program, visit the NSERC .