Annual Volunteer Appreciation Night

It was another amazing year of Science Outreach from the University of Guelph, and we couldn't have done it without our amazing volunteers. Over 130 volunteers helped us run over 200 activities this year, which represents a 50% increase over last year's 89 active volunteers and 124 activities! Our volunteers donated over 2000 hours of their own time to work with 6600 youth this year, and we couldn't be prouder!

Our annual year end volunteer appreciation night was held Thursday, June 12th in the Grad Lounge.

We'd like to congratulate our top 5 volunteers this year:

1. Alex Swirski

2. Keith Poore

3. Heather Gibling

4. Kate Williams

5. Kayla Skubowius

As our top volunteer, Alex was awarded the Christopher Zweerman Volunteer of the Year Award. This award is named in honour of Christopher Zweerman, who won the first ever Let’s Talk Science at the University of Guelph Volunteer of the Year Award. Chris became a volunteer for Let’s Talk Science during its first year at the University of Guelph. His enthusiasm, passion and genuine cheer embodied everything a Let’s Talk Science volunteer should be. After completing his Masters at Guelph, he headed to Australia for Medical School. Tragically, Chris was killed in a motorbike accident in 2010. Each year, with his spirit of volunteerism in mind, we award this certificate to our top volunteer.

While these 5 volunteers collectively donated over 260 hours of their time, they could not have done it along. Some of you trained them during their first activity, some of you may have gone with them on YOUR first activity. Some of you accompanied them on local or even rural trips! Either way, Let's Talk Science at the University of Guelph is a TEAM effort, so

thank you

for all you do!

"Science is the Best!" says Sir Isaac Brock Student

Gloriana, Abdul and I just got back from the Sir Isaac Brock end of year BBQ where we offered some awesome FREE hands on science programming. There was amazing turn out -- in fact, we ran out of slime making supplies!!! After hanging out with us for a bit, making slime and literally walking on egg shells, one of our visitors exclaimed, "science is the best!"

Who says eggs are fragile?!

She doesn't think so!

We amazed everyone with The Egg Crusher, demonstrating just how strong the arch shape of an egg really is.

The school organized a ton of other phenomenal entertainment, 
including a special furry guest!

The Annual Let's Talk Science Challenge at the University of Guelph

Friday, April 25, 2014 was the fourth annual 

Let's Talk Science Challenge at the University of Guelph

The Let’s Talk Science Challenge is a free science enrichment event for Grades 6-8 students across Canada. This event includes an exciting question and answer competition followed by a hands‑on design challenge that inspires students to acquire science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge beyond their curriculum. To prepare for the question and answer competition, teams of two to four students study from the 2014 Let’s Talk Science Challenge Handbook, which was released in January, and covers a breadth and depth of science material that goes far beyond the school curriculum. At the end of the day, the winners are celebrated, presented with medals, and crowned the 2014 Let’s Talk Science Challenge Champions.

The University of Guelph’s Let’s Talk Science Challenge brought 30 teams of 2-4 students plus parent volunteers and teachers to campus for the day. We also had seventeen Let’s Talk Science volunteers and three coordinators helping with everything from judging and score keeping to taking photographs and distributing awards. Teams were encouraged to dress in costumes or wear matching team-ware as a we'd award a SPIRIT Award at the end of the day along with prizes for the top 3 teams.

Special Guest Speaker Dr. Cecelia Paine, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, welcomed the students to the University of Guelph campus during the Opening Ceremonies and offered up a bit of history of her career from small farm to academia. She also acted as our ceremonial Quiz Master, asking the first five questions of the Let's Talk Science Challenge Quiz session. Many thanks to Cecelia for making their welcome so special!

During the lunch break, participants were offered tours of the engineering building roof & wind turbine as well as a preview of the WindENG program. 

Thanks to the School of Engineering for making this possible!

While final scores were tallied, Jamie Doran, Entrepreneur, Big Thinker, Musician, Geek & COO of Innovation Guelph, regaled the audience with some bits of wisdom learned on his varied career adventure. Thanks Jamie!

Thanks to 3M for donating all the Let's Talk Science Design Challenge supplies to the National Office, and to the University of Guelph Bookstore for donating 16 reusable grocery bags for the winners' prize packs.

Check out some of our photos of the Challenge Day below! 

Photos complements of our 3 volunteer photographers: 

Alex Swirski, Jessica Nelson and Keith Poore.

The Quiz Challenge!

The Design Challenge!

The Victors!

Spirit Award Kortright Team 1 from Kortright Hills Public School, Guelph	3rd Place Wildcats from Willow Road Public School, Guelph
2nd Place The Return of the Protons from Waverley Drive PS, Guelph	2014 Let's Talk Science Challenge Champions! Not So Average Joes Team 1 from Laurel Wood PS, Waterloo

The team of volunteers that helped us pull it all off!

(and yes, almost everyone is looking at the other camera! LOL)