Innovation-March_April 2013

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Students Shake Things up at the Science Games

Chelsea Smith

It’s striking how something as simple as some chunks of wood, a few elastic bands and a challenge can become the building blocks for a love of science. Using these items, Division 1 teams at APEGBC’s second annual Science Games were asked to build the steadiest structure possible on spring-loaded platforms, stabilized during the building process. Once building was complete, APEGBC volunteers let the shaking begin as participants looked on in anticipation, waiting to see what would remain of their structure. The Science Games kicked off National Engineering and Geoscience Month on March 2, 2013, at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and Museum of Vancouver. Despite doubling the capacity for participants at this year’s event to include 120 students, registration

filled up quickly in both Division 1, which includes grades 1–3, and Division 2, which includes grades 4–6. Other activities at this year’s event for Division 1 participants included a challenge to protect an egg from daring drops at increasing heights, as well as floating as many paperclips as possible using the surface tension of a liquid. Division 2 activities included creating a catapult made primarily out of popsicle sticks; a Mega Blok Build challenge, which stressed the importance of communication between team members; and a balloon-propelled car challenge. Members of the Burnaby/ New Westminster, Sea to Sky, Tri-City and Vancouver Branches volunteered at the Science Games as judges for the various take- home and mystery activities

which students participated in. Their enthusiastic involvement contributed to the genial atmosphere of the event, as they shared their own passion for science and learning with the students. APEGBC thanks BC Hydro, Fluor and Levelton for sponsoring this event and making it possible to engage even more aspiring engineers and geoscientists this year. The Science Games is an interschool event organized by APEGBC as part of National Engineering and Geoscience Month. The goal of this event is to provide a fun environment where students are able to showcase their science talent, and promote interest in science education and careers in scientific fields. For more information, visit www.apeg.bc.ca/ students/ScienceGames/. v

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