Mad for science

I.T.S. for Girls! club participants sharing environmental information at a community event here in Halifax, April, 2008.

This August, SuperNOVA at Dalhousie University finished off its 13th summer of high impact, hands-on science, engineering and computer science themed camps. This student-run science outreach organization delivered week-long camps on Dalhousie’s Sexton and Studley campuses. 

Thanks to the support from local partners as well as Dalhousie University, SuperNOVA was able to reach over 6,900 participants through its various initiatives and events.

SuperNOVA camp participants were introduced to science, engineering and computer science through exciting activities, mentor visits and tours of university facilities. The diverse and unique opportunities available to campers made for a fantastic experience as they hypothesized, created, tested and designed their way through summer.

SuperNOVA offers a range of initiatives including its nationally recognized Industry, Technology, and Science (I.T.S.) for Girls! club, a science club that introduces girls to mentors, careers and hands-on activities. The I.T.S. for Girls! club, classroom workshops,  CATALYST Youth Leadership Program, week-long summer camps and satellite camps outside of the HRM, SuperNOVA was complete its most successful year to date.

The 13-member student-staff team not only hosted participants here at Dalhousie and in the HRM, but also was given the opportunity to work with youth throughout Atlantic Canada. SuperNOVA traveled from Yarmouth, N.S. to Sheshatshiu, Nfld., from Tobique, N.B. to Summerside, P.E.I. to share our infectious enthusiasm for science.

“This is a great opportunity for students to reach out and give back to Atlantic Canadian youth," says SuperNOVA director Ali Hutchings. "We are so proud to be able to offer this program here at Dal.”

With summer over and the kids back to school, SuperNOVA's work continues. Registration will soon open on the website (www.supernova.dal.ca) for I.T.S. for Girls! club. The club serves girls in Grades 4 to 8 and involves a Saturday meeting once a month. A trip to the Joggins Fossil Centre is being planned for the fall.

Ms. Hutchings, a recent Dalhousie biology grad, notes that Dalhousie and University of King's College students are also sought as junior leaders for the I.T.S. club. "We're always looking for extra hands."

SuperNOVA is a member of Actua. Actua provides training, resource and support to a national network of local organizations offering science and technology education programs. Actua members reach over 225,000 youth per year.