Durham Region's Grade Four Students Celebrate Science

Day on campus to build and fly paper airplanes, see germs glow, and make silly putty

OSHAWA, Ont. - Learning and fun will soon intersect here in a Celebration of Science for Durham District School Board Grade four students on the campus of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology-Durham College.

April 28 and 29, 2004, approximately 500 elementary students will be on-campus to learn and experiment with scientific principles. The first-time event has been planned collaboratively by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Durham College and the Durham District School Board.

The students will participate in 45-minute activities that are primarily linked to the grade four science curriculum. Events include flight (building and flying paper airplanes), biology (seeing germs glow on skin after cleansing), machines and technology (robot computer simulation), and physics (sound of music and light trajectory show). Each of the two days will end with an entertaining Magic of Chemistry show, which will make use of regular household supplies and materials.

"We want to show students the link between science and simple everyday activities and we're fortunate to have this unique opportunity to do so right here with two world-class technology and science focused facilities," says Martin Gabber, science/technology facilitator, Durham District School Board and chair of the planning committee. "Our goal is to show students that learning science can be both fun and exciting," he adds

"We hope that by engaging students in these activities we will kindle their interest in science at a very young age," says George Sowchuck, grade four teacher at Vincent Massey Public School and a planning committee member.

Day-long activities begin at 9 a.m. April 28 and 29 in the atrium of University Building 1, 2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa. Thanks to Ontario Power Generation's generous support, Durham students will have a unique opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the wonders of science.

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Contacts:

Martin Gabber, Science/Technology facilitator, Durham District School Board,
905.666.6384

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