In the Faculty of Science, summer is a time when post-secondary students move out and summer camps take over. Children and youth from across Alberta gather to learn and engage in topics ranging from space to paleontology to computer science-all from real U of A scientists. The camps give participants an opportunity to explore the University campus, make friends, and gain knowledge and applied skills in scientific and technical disciplines.
In 2015, the Faculty of Science was able to offer more camps than ever before, welcoming over 500 students ages 6-16 through the addition of interdisciplinary camps such as Dino Discoveries and SciKids, and by incorporating existing programs from the Department of Computing Science and the Institute for Space Science, Exploration and Technology (ISSET). As a result, this year's science campers have experienced everything from building robots and designing video games to launching rockets and discovering prehistoric fossils.
Team effort
"It was really cool to watch group after group of super bright campers with extremely bright futures get so excited to interact with these technologies by testing, playing, inquiring and dreaming up possibilities."
Science summer camp coordinator Cody Steinke is often asked how participants can continue to explore science and technology beyond the classroom during the school year. His answer? Leading a new partnership between the Faculty of Science and Edmonton Public Library(EPL). EPL facilities host technologies relevant to Faculty of Science summer camp content, with knowledgeable staff and year-round access.Located at the Stanley A. Milner library in downtown Edmonton, the EPL Makerspace in particular incorporates a wide range of technologies and creative resources open to the general public. Resources include 3D printers, book-making machines, computers with photo editing and computer programming software, recording studios, green screens, and many others. EPL's innovation in digital literacy has not gone unnoticed, recently earning an international award from the American Library Association.
As part of the partnership, Andrew Halberstadt, a Community Librarian at EPL's Strathcona Branch, took Makerspace on the road, bringing an assortment of technologies to several camps over the span of the summer. "It was really cool to watch group after group of super bright campers with extremely bright futures get so excited to interact with these technologies by testing, playing, inquiring and dreaming up possibilities."
For Halberstadt, the initiative was an opportunity to promote the library's cutting edge programs and resources, reaching a large audience in a short period of time. "The workshops at the U of A Science summer camps stand out as a great example of how far we have come in our ability to offer this type of programming." The success of the initiative highlights for EPL the potential for similar future initiatives at the U of A and in the community.
Together is better
Echoing EPL's sentiments, Steinke sees the partnership as an important step towards greater collaboration with community organizations. "The Faculty of Science summer camps not only try to provide a fun and engaging science and technology experience, but also showcase partners in the community that hold similar ideals. Through EPL, we hope to have young people interacting more directly with their community libraries for further learning and creative experiences with science and technology."
With camps wrapping up for the summer, Steinke is already planning for the future. The next year promises new and expanded services, including additional levels to popular camps, offerings during spring break, and programs for homeschool groups during the school year. Steinke hopes to continue partnering with programming in the community, including "bringing more visitors and partners to come and share resources and help promote the exciting world of science."
Learn more about Science Summer Camps.