Sparwood students have had a unique opportunity to learn about science through a national science outreach program called Let’s Talk Science.
Let’s Talk Science brought Simon Fraser University students Eric Joel and Denise Lang to Frank J Mitchell Elementary School to teach children hands on science activities in a wide range of disciplines.
Let’s Talk Science is a volunteer based program, and the University students are screened for qualities such as being effective communicators, commitment to enhancing science education and for being a positive role model to children. Let’s Talk Science began in 1993 and since then has reached over two million children, youth and science educators.
Volunteers worked in partnership with Frank J Mitchell teachers to help them choose a science activity based on their current curriculum. Joel and Lang were happy to share the activity and inspire imagination within each of the classrooms. FJM students learned about matter through slime, engineering through spaghetti towers, the wonders of weather and much more.
Let’s Talk Science not only engages school-aged children but also offers valuable skills and work experience to the university student volunteers.
“I want to become a science teacher,” said Joel. “This program gives me experience and the ability to share science with youth.”
The FJM children were thrilled with their science projects and listened enthusiastically to Joel and Lang. Learning while having fun is always the goal for youth educators everywhere.
Let’s Talk Science is part of British Columbia’s Year of Science.