South Cariboo students got the chance to learn about science firsthand from Science World On the Road last week.
Science World science facilitators Chelsey Stuyt and Megan Zong spent Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 touring South Cariboo schools visiting Mile 108 Elementary School, Lac La Hache Elementary School, Eliza Archie Memorial School, Forest Grove Elementary School, Horse Lake Elementary School and 100 Mile House Elementary School. Stuyt said they found the Cariboo to be a welcoming place and its students very engaged with their presentation.
"Every place I've been has something fascinating about it, science or otherwise, and this program really allows us to see those differences and celebrate them," Stuyt said. "The thing I love most is giving kids the opportunity to see femme presenting people, women, be excited about science and also performing, showing those two things don't have to be mutually exclusive. When I was a kid I was told you had to choose between science and art and you don't."
Over the last six years, Stuyt said the On the Road program has taken her across B.C. and beyond, with the tour going up into the Yukon at times. She joined Science World at a crossroads in her life where she wanted to work somewhere she could be excited to go to work.
With a master's degree in ancient history and an interest in theatre, she wanted to find a job that combined both of her passions. Stuyt said the tour allows her to do this by sharing her love of science with children in an engaging and fun way.
"Even before Science World I always kind of felt the traditional sciences looked down on people who had a broader, more artistic kind of scope to things. Science World never really had that vibe," Stuyt said. "One of the directors at Science World his literal title is 'the director of performances and fun times' and is a clown by trade."
Science World's tour of the South Cariboo came at no cost for schools or students thanks to a $2,500 donation by the South Cariboo Community Enhancement Foundation. Maddi Newman, the foundation's secretary-treasurer, and Laura Dewar, one of the foundation's directors, said they were happy to support this education opportunity for students.
"They found us on our website, which is SCCEF.org, and put in an application to help fund this tour and we were thrilled to do that. That's exactly what our organization is here to do, to fund organizations in our community (or visiting) who are making our community healthier," Newman said.
Dewar said that promoting education and inspiring children to pursue a career in science is something she and the foundation particularly like to see. She noted that it can benefit the community in multiple ways for years to come.
"We are certainly willing to sponsor any other groups that promote education," Dewar remarked.
Stuyt said she and Zong did two main shows in the South Cariboo, their How to Science show for Kindergarten to Grade 3 and Earth, Wind and Science for Grades 4 to 7. How to Science teaches children the scientific method including how to observe, predict and then test a hypothesis.
"Every demonstration we do repeats those three pieces and tries to encourage kids to get out there, ask questions and try things safely," Stuyt explained. "Just to be curious about the world around them."
Earth, Wind and Science, meanwhile, is their weather show which involves more technical details and more dangerous and exciting demonstrations, such as a Van der Graaf Generator, fire tornadoes, an acid rain model and fireballs. Stuyt said older students are less likely to be scared of the demonstrations and are better able to take part in more complex experiments.
"We talk about how environmental impacts change our weather systems, the difference between weather and climate," Stuyt said. "It's a great show for them to get engaged with not just the material they're learning in class but things they see around them every day."
Stuyt thanked the foundation for sponsoring their On the Road Tour along with their other regular sponsor Drax Canada. The only way they're able to do what they do is with support from their "incredible partners."
Newman and Dewar noted that the SCCEF is always looking for new donors and volunteers who would like to help support groups like Science World in the South Cariboo. The SCCEF's welcomes anyone looking to get involved to reach out to them via info@sccef.org.
"We always love to welcome new board members if someone comes along," Newman said. "It's nice to be growing and getting out into our community so we're a little more well-known now."
