Noble Central School students got a first-hand look at some of the opportunities that might await them in a career in the sciences.
More than two dozen students from the Palliser school were among some 120 high school students from Lethbridge and area who took part recently in Let’s Do Science Day.
Students had the opportunity to take part in a variety of hands-on science activities at the annual event at the University of Lethbridge. They were exposed to several different streams of science and were encouraged to consider potential careers and futures in post-secondary education.
Among the activities available was the chance to experience chemistry with oxidation reactions and experiment with fluorescent proteins in biochemistry. Students could also code their own website about the earth and check out technology used in geological research, as well as learn about the spread of disease in epidemiology.
Let’s Do Science Day, organized each year by science graduate and undergraduate students at the U of L, also featured a presentation by Sergio Pellis from the Department of Neuroscience. Pellis highlighted his research accomplishments regarding the effects of play on the brain, and also shared stories about his own career with the students to inspire them in their future pursuits.
The student-organizers are volunteers for the national Let’s Talk Science Outreach program. The award-winning, non-profit, science outreach organization was created to deliver programs and services that turn children on to science, keep them engaged in learning and develop their potential to become 21st century citizens, innovators and stewards.
In previous years, the Let’s Talk Science Outreach program has conducted numerous visits to high school classes in Lethbridge and southern Alberta; has offered teachers’ workshops at Teachers Convention; and has added to the scientific program at the Lethbridge Science Fairs by offering tours of research laboratories and offering numerous hands-on activities for participants.