Homemade holograms and chemical magic shows are two of the many ways junior and senior high school students will see science in action during the 2012 Faculty of Science Discovery Days at Dalhousie in May and June.
Since 2008, over 5,000 preteens and teenagers have taken over the Faculty of Science for free half-day, hands-on interactive sessions, digging into subjects ranging from Biology to Psychology.
At their core, Discovery Days are about igniting excitement for science, says Faculty of Science school outreach coordinator Theresa Myra.
“If these events spark students’ interest in science and math, then the program has worked,” she says.
The science of fun
Discovery Days give classes of Grades 6-12 students a window into the fun and practical applications of science, fuelling imaginations about what is possible at the post-secondary level.
“I loved everything about our trip to Dal,” a 2011 participant raved on a feedback form. “I thought the day was really good and I would love to go again!”
For educators, the sessions are an opportunity to bond with students while fostering genuine inquiry.
“Discovery Days are excellent for immersing children in the world of science by showing them fun and innovative ways in which science is cool,” said Joy Noseworthy of Uniacke District School.
The Faculty of Science Discovery Days are open to schools in Nova Scotia. Most morning sessions run from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and afternoon sessions from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. For more information or to register, contact Theresa Myra at (902) 494-6448 or theresa.myra@dal.ca.