Science Fiction Becomes Fact as Kids Engage with Science and Technology

Media Release | February 19, 2008

BRITISH COLUMBIA - Reaching out to students at an early age can build a life changing interest in science and technology. BC Innovation Council (BCIC) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) are working with outreach organizations to bring science to the next generation of innovators.

Ross Mitchell, Chairman and Founder of the Mitchell Odyssey Foundation, shares his personal story about how his life changed course when he experienced that special moment when a child connects with science:

"An elementary school visit to the Ontario Science Centre piqued a life long interest in science," said Mitchell. "This led to the pursuit of a degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo followed by a stimulating and rewarding career in the high technology industry. The goal of the Mitchell Odyssey Foundation is to stimulate science interest and create opportunities for students in science, technology and math. Outreach programs play an important role in engaging students with science discovery and technology exploration in the classroom."

BCIC and NSERC aim to recreate this special moment for many students by hosting the 2nd Annual BC Science Outreach Workshop. The event is a professional outreach development workshop focused on offering kids innovative experiences. Falling under the umbrella of B.C. outreach programs in science and technology are camps, field trips, home school support, peer mentoring, and creative problem solving.

At the workshop, organizations will work together to promote their services and identify ways to transform young imagination into science reality. Discussions will take place on how to measure success in science outreach and experts in the field will present different perspectives on how to define this success through assessment and evaluation.

Speakers Include:

• Chantal Barriault, Science Communications, Science North
• Kevin Aschenmeier, Okanagan Science Centre
• Roger Garriock, Destination ImagiNation
• John Leech, Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of B.C.
• Todd Whitcombe, University of Northern British Columbia
• Rosalind Poon, Teacher Consultant for Richmond School District

Also attending are several educators and school curriculum specialists.

Event Details:

February 22, 2008
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
SFU Vancouver (Harbour Centre)
515 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC

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For more information contact:

Stephanie Leung
Communications Coordinator
BC Innovation Council
604.602.5249 | 1.800.665.7222
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

ABOUT BC INNOVATION COUNCIL

BC Innovation Council (BCIC), a Crown Agency of the Province of British Columbia, advances the awareness and commercialization of applied science and technology in partnership with government, industry and academia. Through talent development and industry collaboration, BCIC contributes a vital element to the success of BC's economy.

For more information about BC Innovation Council, visit www.bcic.ca.

ABOUT NSERC

NSERC is a federal agency whose role is to make investments in people, discovery and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians. The agency invests in people by supporting some 23,000 university students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 11,000 university professors every year and helps make innovation happen by encouraging about 1,300 Canadian companies to invest in university research and training. Over the past 10 years, NSERC has invested $6 billion in basic research, university-industry projects and the training of Canada's next generation of scientists and engineers.

For more information about NSERC, visit www.nserc.ca.
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