A child stands in front of her class. Someone fills a cup with water, tips it over her head – and nothing comes out. A ball made of Mylar strips is made to dance to the movements of a plastic rod.
It’s not magic – it’s Science Quest.
Founded in 1988 by two female engineering students, this undergraduate-run science and engineering program was the first of its kind in Canada and inspired the creation of a national network of similar programs. Created to introduce students in grades 4 through 8 to the wonders of science and engineering, Science Quest visits schools across eastern Ontario, engages youth through Aboriginal and community outreach programs and stages annual summer science camps in Kingston, Brockville and Belleville. Each year Science Quest makes science, technology, engineering and math fun for more than 5,000 students.
The goal of Science Quest is to make science and engineering enjoyable and accessible in the hopes that some children will be motivated to pursue careers in the field. "I would like to use Science Quest to change the science community into a place where there is no typical engineer, there is no typical scientist. Everybody realizes that it is equal opportunity. Everybody, if they have an interest in that, can pursue the field," says Science Quest assistant director Katherine Silins.
