The sciences of mining and minerals may not be topics most kids are interested in, unless it’s presented in a way designed to hook them.
“We have slime that teaches the principles of chemical bonding, and chocolate chip cookie mining that presents mining in a way that is appetizing,” said Janice Zinck, one of the organizers of yesterday’s Science Funfest.
Science presented in a way kids understand —maybe that’s why more than 3,000 people checked out the more than 70 exhibits at the Booth Street Complex of Natural Resources Canada yesterday.
The event, which marks National Science and Technology Week (Oct. 16-25), is organized by Natural Resources Canada to allow researchers to “interact with the public and to give back,” said Zinck.
“The purpose of the week is to celebrate how science is important to everyday lives, from the perspective of attracting youth to science careers, and in the context of competitiveness for Canada as a country,” said Natural Resources Canada chief scientist Geoff Munro.
“Science is really important to maintain our competitiveness internationally and to maintain our quality of life as Canadians.”
It’s also important to get kids interested, he said.
“The number of kids that go into science is either static or reducing, and that’s because there are so many possibilities in schools these days.”
The event exposes kids to different kinds of science, involving space, earth, rocks and animals, to name a few, said 15-year-old Priya Kumar, who is considering a career in the field.
