Young future scientists visit Concordia
Grade 5 student Kelley is learning all she can about the solar system. “I like talking about the planets and the universe,” says the young member of Les Scientifines, an after-school activity dedicated to encouraging an interest in science among young girls between the ages of eight and 12.
Kelley was part of a large group of Scientifines who visited Concordia’s Loyola Campus recently to take part in a day of fun science experiments. The activities covered all areas of science, from biology to physics to chemistry and biochemistry.
During one activity, the budding scientists built models of a carbon molecule out of beads. During another, they learned about the law of conservation of angular momentum by standing on a rotating platform while holding a spinning bicycle wheel vertically with two hands.
Throughout the school year, Concordia’s Counselling and Development office provides opportunities for Concordia students to work as mentors with Les Scientifines and other community organizations that are members of the Régroupement des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte au décrochage (ROCQLD). This was the first time the university organized a campus visit for one of the organizations.
The visit was initiated by Marlene Gross, manager of Services for New Students in the office of Counselling and Development. Gross says it was an opportunity to expose the young girls to the university environment, and give them a chance to work in a real lab setting.
“We thought it would be nice to bring the girls here to see the university,” she says. “It enhances the value they put in education, and their interest in going on in their education, which is what the programs in ROCQLD try to do, and what Concordia would obviously like to promote.”
Miriam Posner, technical supervisor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, mobilized the team of Concordia science faculty members and students, who put together the day of activities.
“I’m a strong believer in community outreach and fostering interest in science and technology in youth,” she says. “We’re hoping it provided a good overview of science, and showed that science can be fun, and that science and technology is everywhere around us.”
Second-year Concordia biochemistry student Cecilia Ayuk is a mentor in the Scientifines program. “After school, we help the girls with their homework, and then we do science activities with them,” she says. “The whole idea is to groom the girls to become science majors. We serve as role models to them. We assure them it’s possible.”
As she helped the young girls put together their bead models in the lab on Loyola Campus, the Cameroon native explained that working with Les Scientifines a few days a week is a joy and privilege. “I’m learning here, they’re grooming me. So, I’m getting the skills, and at the same time, I like the opportunity that has been given to me to be able to give back.”
Related links:
• Concordia's Counselling and Development
• Regroupement des organismes communautaires québécois de lutte au décrochage (ROCQLD)
• Concordia's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Les Scientifines