Aug 4, 2010
Media contact: Patty Wellborn
Office: 604-795-2819
patty.wellborn@ufv.ca
UFV hosts free science camp for Aboriginal girls
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Science Rocks! is a popular camp offered for the past three summers at UFV for grade school students. The camp for young Aboriginal girls is a new this year and will combine science with physical activities, games, and fun.
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We’ve all done it. You hear the word ‘scientist’ and automatically picture a geeky-looking guy in a lab coat. It’s a typical stereotype.
The University of the Fraser Valley aims to break down those stereotypes, especially in the sciences, by proactively encouraging women to study or pursue research in disciplines like science, computing, and engineering.
This summer, UFV is hosting its first-ever Science Rocks! summer camp specifically for Aboriginal girls. Science Rocks! is a highly popular camp that UFV organizes each summer for school-aged children. The camps fill up quickly and UFV has hosted five so far this summer. The camp for Aboriginal girls takes place in Chilliwack August 11 to 13, and is free of charge for girls aged from 8–13.
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| Participants in the Science Rocks! summer camps have plenty of time to experiement in UFV's science labs. |
“It was always part of our long-term plan for Science Rocks! to reach out to community groups that are historically under-represented in the science areas,” explains UFV Acting Dean of Science Ora Steyn. “It is very evident that we need to encourage more Aboriginal girls to explore the sciences.”
Three years ago, UFV introduced the Cuter Computer contest for teenage girls, with the goal of encouraging young women to study computer sciences. Cuter Computer was funded by the Jade Project, a federal program that is also partially funding the Science Rocks! camp for Aboriginal girls.
“While Cuter Computer was extremely successful in attracting girls into our computer science programs, we still need to encourage women into all the other sciences,” Steyn adds.
This particular Science Rocks! camp will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, and participants will explore math, computers, biology, chemistry, and environmental sustainability in a fun, educational manner. There are physical activities, lab time, and lots of opportunity to explore the wonders of science. Lunch is included each day.
“We have selected some camp leaders who are perfect role models for the girls,” Steyn adds. “This will be a fun time full of activities that they will all enjoy.”
Space is limited for the camp and people can get more details, or register, by contacting Ora Steyn at
ora.steyn@ufv.ca or by calling 604-851-6346, or 1-888-504-7441, local 6346.
Check out
www.ufv.ca/sciencerocks for more information.
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