Local youths learned more about science and how it has shaped life in Canada during a visit from the Saskatchewan Science Centre’s Go Science Canada Tour on Friday morning at the Estevan Leisure Centre’s forecourt.
Jean-Paul Belanger and Shannon Patoine, who are outreach science explorers with the Saskatchewan Science Centre, led a number of different activities to get the children excited about science.
While the event was a wrap-up for the library’s TD Summer Reading Program, it was opened up to youth from throughout the community.
Belanger said the science centre has been touring the province this summer and visiting libraries. He said they will make 74 stops throughout the province.
“We’ve had a very busy summer,” said Belanger. “It’s been a record-breaking summer for the science centre.”
The first activity saw the children create balloon cars. Participants created model vehicles using parts that were supplied, and then they attached balloons to them, deflated the balloons and saw how far the vehicles would travel. They incorporated discussions on automobiles in Canada, and how a lot of vehicles are constructed in this country.
“We’ll be doing some cookie mining, talking about geology and the mining industry in Saskatchewan,” said Belanger. “Later on we’re going to be doing some egg helmets, talking about the brain and concussions.”
And they discussed circuits and robots, using the Canadarm as an example. The Canadarm was used by NASA as part of its space shuttle program.
“We try to connect as much of the activities to some sort of Canadian background,” said Belanger.
He noted the science centre didn’t bring any exhibits with them on the tour. The activities they brought to Estevan are brand new and designed specifically for the province’s libraries.
The hands on activities always prove to be a fun and popular experience for the kids.
“It’s all about a hands-on experience for the kids, building things and making it their own,” said Belanger.
