Kootenay kids enjoy a summer of science
By Contributor
It’s been an amazing “Summer of Science” for 300 Kootenay kids, with the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology proudly supporting science-themed summer camps offered across the region.
From chemistry, to physics, to astronomy and outdoor adventure, each day camp was filled with fun, interactive science experiments and activities designed to build interest in the science all around us.
The Summer of Science is the product of an exciting new partnership between city recreation departments in Nelson, Robson, Castlegar, Trail, Rossland, the Blueberry Creek Community School, and KAST’s GLOWS (“Growing, Learning Opportunities with Science”) science and technology programming for Central and West Kootenay-Boundary kids.
Each science camp was organized and administered by the local recreation department, or in Blueberry Creek by the community school, and supported by KAST with the provision of Summer Science Camps Assistant to help supervise campers and lead noisy, messy, hands-on science experiments for kids ages 6-12.
Chemistry experiments such as “elephant toothpaste,” film canister rockets and swirling milk were some of this year’s favourites; and activities such as outsmarting gravity and a chance to peer at the moon through a professional telescope really got each participant involved.
“It’s been an awesome summer!” said KAST’s summer science camp assistant Marlee Thompson. “I love watching the kids’ faces light up when I show them science experiments. Hearing them tell their parents all about the “scientist” that came to camp shows me that what KAST is doing is truly making an impact. I can see many of them becoming more involved in the fields of science and technology.”
KAST believes that introducing children to science at a young age, and in a fun and non-intimidating way is vital to inspiring and stimulating their interest in science studies as they continue to grow and learn.
Throughout Summer 2011, KAST supported 15 weeks of summer science camps in the region, none of which would have been possible without support from our sponsors: The Columbia Basin Trust, The Nelson District Credit Union, Fortis BC, ASTTBC and BC Hydro.
The 2011 KAST “Summer of Science”:
- Rossland Recreation Science Camp: July 4 – 8
- Rossland Recreation Natural Sciences & Heritage Camp: July 4 – 8
- Robson Summer Cool Camps: July 4 – 8, July 11 – 15, July 18 – 22
- Nelson Outdoor Adventure Camp: July 11 – 15
- Trail Mad Scientist Week at Camp Cawabunga: July 11 – 15
- Nelson Beach Party Construction Camp: July 18 – 22
- Rossland Recreation Space Camp: July 25 – 29
- Castlegar Summer Cool Camps: July 25 – 29, August 1 – 5, August 8 – 12
- Blueberry Creek Community School Day Camp: August 1 – 5
- Nelson Outdoor Adventure Camp: August 8 – 12
- Nelson Time Travelers Animated Camp: August 22 – 26
Contributed.
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