July 21, 2010 - 8:35am
Aboriginal children from Port Hardy, Nanaimo, Chemainus and Comox are getting a taste of university life this week.
Vancouver Island University is hosting its first summer camp for Aboriginal children in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation, TD Bank and TD Friends of the Environment.
Faculty and students from a variety of VIU departments strived to make the camp interesting, informative and fun for about 90 six to 14-year olds.
VIU Fisheries and Aquaculture grad Carol Bob and other chemistry students demonstrated eye-popping explosions and other chemistry experiments during a presentation on climate change in the Applied Environmental Research Lab (AERL).
“I believe the Aboriginal summer camp is a wonderful opportunity for youth to learn about renewable energy and how their personal actions can contribute to the sustainability of our planet,” Bob said. “Today’s youth have potential to be the innovators of tomorrow. Protecting our environment and food sources is important for young people to understand.”
The camp served another important purpose. It was meant to introduce Aboriginal youth to the idea of pursuing post-secondary education, particularly in the area of science.
In half-hour sessions, camp participants studied ecosystems in the Biology department, toured the Museum of Natural History, and planted trees with the Forestry department. They also tried fish castes (t-shirt printing) and learned about best practices in shellfish research and aquaculture in the Centre for Shellfish Research.
The young charges visited the sturgeon tanks to see the impressive fish whose orgins date back to prehistoric times, and learned about various species in the Fisheries and Aquaculture department, and about beach management and how we can keep shorelines clean.
Sylvia Scow, Associate Director of VIU’s Office of Aboriginal Education, said the camp was VIU’s way of starting to build relationships with Aboriginal youth at an early age.
“Many of our current Aboriginal students are the first people in their families to attend university,” she said. “Without direct family mentorship the transition can be difficult. Therefore, our goal is to start to plant the seed early in regard to access to higher learning. Providing an opportunity for six to 12-year-olds to see eight foot long sturgeon, to touch shellfish, to go into the chemistry and mix up potions is the type of activity they will remember.
"It is the beginning of a connection and familiarity to VIU’s environment and with the people in it. Hopefully they’ll return as VIU students one day.”
Tags: In the Community
