The usual Science Summer Camps that fill the halls and labs of CCIS during the summer months aren’t possible this year due to COVID-19, but the Faculty of Science has brought summer learning home with new miniature online courses—and our Science Summer Camp leaders have been leading the charge on the transition.
Over the past few months, our camp leaders—all of whom are University of Alberta students—have been hard at work preparing videos, online activities, and organizing material into accessible online courses for future scientists and their families. Five low-cost online courses have launched, covering animals, dinosaurs, geology, Minecraft, and space, and are designed primarily for Grades 4 to 6, to be completed at the learner’s own pace and at whatever time fits their schedule best.
The courses feature content videos on science topics, interviews with camp leaders and researchers, activities that can be replicated at home with a small amount of household materials, and online learning tools and quizzes to test knowledge of the subject.
Last week, we met half of the students leaders that helped make these courses possible. Join us in meeting the rest of the 2020 Science Summer Camp leaders.
Fiona Madsen
Science Summer Camp leader Fiona Madsen.
What program are you in? What year of study?
I am doing a BSc. with a double major in the Department of Biological Sciences and Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. I am in my fourth year of my program.
What are some of your interests or hobbies?
I enjoy hiking, camping, painting, and music.
What do you love most about science?
What I love most about science is how it helps us understand our world and how it is still evolving, and that there are always new things to explore and learn.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people?
Young people need to learn about science because it teaches them useful skills like observation, experimentation, and analysis, which help them gain a greater understanding of the world around them. It also demonstrates why it is important to be curious and seek out answers to your questions, and highlights the benefit of keeping an open mind.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
I wanted to open up fields to students that are traditionally harder for them to explore or learn about, because I think that finding role models in your chosen field is important if you want to consider it for a future career. Most of all, I want to share my passion for science with them and help students develop a similar love for it.
Online summer camps are a bit different than previous years—but offer safe and accessible summer science learning. What are you most excited for campers to see from the online courses?
I'm most excited for students who might not have gotten the chance to access our courses in the past to be able to participate in them now, and for students to have the opportunity to rewatch videos and learn at their own speed.
How have you been spending your time during COVID-19 physical distancing?
I have been exploring Edmonton's River Valley, hiking in the mountains, making art, and spending time with my roommate!
Tell us a fun fact about you!
I took opera lessons until I was 17.
Faizan Waseem
Science Summer Camp leader Faizan Waseem.
What program are you in? What year of study?
I am in my fourth year of a BSc. in honors psychology in the Department of Psychology.
What are some of your interests or hobbies?
Hiking, video games, badminton, basketball, and fishing.
What do you love most about science?
I love how science invites you to learn more about the world. What is gravity? Why do you act a certain way when you're nervous? How much does the sky weigh? Humans are curious by nature and not knowing about the world gives us this motivation to seek answers. This is what I love most about science—the discovery of the unknown.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people?
Science is the future. Young people are the future. Without both, the world cannot advance. Imagine a world where we don't have electricity or hot water. Without young people being interested in science, how else are we supposed to someday have cool hover cars and jetpacks?
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
I love science and I love working with kids. Being given the opportunity to pursue my passion for science and having fun while doing it is something that I could not ignore. Science Summer Camps gives me and the students the opportunity to grow, learn and appreciate what science has to offer.
What are you most excited for campers to see from the online courses?
The versatility of everything. Each camp is so well thought out and planned that I know that whoever takes it will have an amazing time doing so. There is learning, sure—but more importantly, these courses are fun. Are you interested in learning about these massive animals that ruled the world millions of years ago? Or perhaps you want to take your Minecraft skills to the next level? Or have you ever wondered what is out there in space? Regardless of your interests, there is something for everyone and I know for a fact that whoever takes these courses will have a lot of fun!
How have you been spending your time during COVID-19 physical distancing?
I have been spending time fixing things around the house and giving myself time to explore new things. Turns out, I love cooking seafood and baking bread. I have also spent time with video games and started exploring different genres of shows.
Bennett Lee
Science Summer Camp leader Bennett Lee.
What program are you in? What year of study?
I just recently graduated from my bachelor of education in the Faculty of Education.
What are some of your interests or hobbies?
Reading, teaching, skiing, and cooking.
What do you love most about science?
The opportunity to explore the world around us from different perspectives.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people?
Science fosters critical thinking, inquiry, and passion for both applicable and interesting learning opportunities.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
Science Summer Camps gives me a great opportunity to work with kids and continue my love of teaching, and gives kids the opportunity to learn about cool science. It’s a win-win!
How have you been spending your time during COVID-19 physical distancing?
I’ve picked up skateboarding again, and even landed a few successful tricks. I also have started playing Pokémon Go again, and I really like beating my roommates at Scrabble.
Tell us a fun fact about you!
I once got lost in the middle of Poland with no cell service on a hiking trip. Fortunately, I made it back to my hostel safely after a long night of walking.