The All Science Challenge is Coming!

Can you believe that it's already time to start thinking about the 2012 All Science Challenge?? The All Science Challenge is a one-day science showdown for kids in grades 6-8.  Students study a handbook of reach-ahead science facts prepared by a team of educational experts and volunteers. On the big day, the students will compete against teams from other area schools for the title of All Science Challenge Champion!! All Science Challenges are hosted by Let's Talk Science sites across Canada, and this year will be Guelph's second time hosting this fun day of friendly competition and teamwork! The All Science Challenge at the University of Guelph will take place on April 24th, 2012.

If you know a student in grades 6-8 in the Guelph area who might be interested in competing, have his or her teacher visit http://www.letstalkscience.ca/challenge to register a team!

What have we been up to?

The fall semester is in full swing, and Let's Talk Science volunteers have already been out and about performing activities with youth in Guelph and beyond! Here are some of the highlights of just some of the activities that we've been up to!

• Linda, Amanda, and Amy showed kids at the Arthur Fall Fair that science doesn't have to take place only in the classroom! Kids at the fair had a chance to test their lung capacity, make slime, and take home some delicious candy DNA!
• Witek, Naheda, and Midori traveled with volunteers from other Let's Talk Science sites in southern Ontario to Alliston, ON to help out at Honda Canada's Take your Kids to Work Day activities! They helped grade 9 students build Rube Goldberg machines! After the activities at the car plant, Witek and Naheda kept the fun rolling by teaching kids about their 5 senses at the New Tecusmeth Library! Check out the full story on the main Let's Talk Science website!
• Jason and Derek have already visited the Guelph Homeschool Science Co-op several times to lead hands-on demonstrations!
• Colette, Midori, and Erica grossed out students at Holy Rosary Catholic Elementary here in Guelph with activities about the human body!

As you can see, we are already off to a busy year! This year, for the first time at the U of G, most volunteers have been placed in year-long partnerships with an educator partner to establish lasting relationships with the youth they visit! Several teams of volunteers have made plans to visit their classes within the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned for more updates about our amazing volunteers!!