UOIT receives NSERC grants to teach science and engineering to young Canadians

Two researchers at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) were recently awarded grants through theNatural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada's (NSERC) PromoScience program. It provides financial support to organizations helping young Canadians to develop an understanding of science and engineering and provide hands-on learning experiences.

Sheila Rhodes, faculty advisor and instructor, Faculty of Education, was awarded more than $52,000 over the next three years. This funding will be used for Stepping Back Into Nature by Stepping Forward with Technology. The program is designed to increase elementary students' interests in the areas of science and engineering and provide teachers with suitable hands-on activities to foster this interest. The grant will be used to create environmentally focused curriculum materials for use in the classroom and the community, as well as support the ongoing development of an environmental summer camp for Durham Region youth. The first such camp is currently underway.

Dr. Andrea Kirkwood, assistant professor, Biology, Faculty of Science, was awarded $7,500 for the iScience Connections program where youth learn about the use of biological indicators in determining water quality and ecosystem health in rivers and lakes.From their various analyses, student campers will learn that algal and invertebrate bioindicator organisms can provide a lot of information such as how polluted a particular area is. As an investigative tool, bioindicator assessment can be applied to many problems related to environmental site characteristics and conditions. The new bioindicator module will be integrated with the Crime Scene Science Camp activity model. Each year, a new crime scene is devised, and a mystery unfolds for campers to solve by the end of the week.This particular theme would revolve around human remains originating from an aquatic environment.It will give the students an opportunity to compare bioindicator specimens from different aquatic habitats.Students will not only learn about the biology of aquatic organisms, but also how different aquatic conditions can affect forensic samples and results.

NSERC's media release

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