Marley Sampson (left) and Molly Vokey performed a caffeine extraction last Friday at a St. F.X. chemistry camp. (Connor MacEachern photo)
Science camps at St. F.X. received a financial boost this summer. The Imperial Oil Science Outreach program received $45,000 over three years from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s PromoScience grant. “The grant allowed us to hire more leaders and expand the program on campus and off-campus,” camp organizer and St. F.X. chemistry professor Truis Smith-Palmer said. “There’s been a huge interest in the camps this year,” she added. St. F.X. students serve as camp leaders. Smith-Palmer said it’s a “sought-after” position among science students. “Most have worked longer this year than they did last year,” she added. “They’re learning along with the campers.” The program offers in-school workshops in Antigonish County as well as in Canso, Guysborough, New Glasgow, Debert and across Cape Breton. Outreach leaders have visited 43 schools and have given presentations to more than 4,000 students. This summer, camps are being offered in New Glasgow, Canso and Guysborough, and for aboriginal students from Pictou Landing, Potlotek and Paqntkek. St. F.X. will host seven camps on campus during the summer, covering subjects such as human kinetics, engineering, aquatic science and chemistry. “It’s an adventure for both the kids and the leaders,” Smith-Palmer said. Cameron MacFarlane took time out of a caffeine extraction experiment Friday morning to explain why he likes the camp. “It’s a lot of fun, especially when we get to see the new equipment,” he said. “The leaders are very friendly.” Morgan Gauthier said her favourite part of last week’s camp was when a baking-soda-and-vinegar-fuelled rocket made from a pop bottle exploded over her and her friend. “We shook it too long,” she said. NSERC's PromoScience program offers financial support for organizations working with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science and engineering including mathematics and technology. This year chemistry camps are offered for students in Grades 1 to 8. More information can be found on the Imperial Oil Science Outreach website at www.mystfx.ca/academic/chemistry/X-Chem/imp.htm. >> Return to articles main
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