December 6, 2007 - 7:49am
The Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Program at Malaspina Unviersity-College participated in the first ever First Nations community science celebration on Dec. 1 and 2.
The event was hosted by the Chemainus First Nation in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nations, MISTIC and Vancouver Science World, and was aimed at helping local kids discover the science all around them.
At the CSR /Fisheries and Aquaculture booth, students had the opportunity to learn about the upcoming Summer Youth Leadership Program, view live sturgeon and trout, explore a touch tank with various species of invertebrates (oysters, mussels, green urchins, sea cucumbers and sea stars), try their hand at fishing in the fish pond for prizes, test their knowledge of their native language by matching names to various species of shellfish and enter our draw to win great educational science-oriented prizes.
Malaspina University College along with Genome BC, BC Hydro, NRC and Coast Salish exhibitors, to name a few, were among the presenters who participated. Educational booths covered subjects such as aquaculture and fish health, forensics, robotics, astronomy, traditional food and to other topics to help blend cultural teachings with the innovation of science as a means of inspiring and engaging preschoolers and children from kindergarten to grade seven to embrace science.
The event was well attended and received a really great response from the community.
For more information on the CSR, please contact Don Tillapaugh at 740-6113 or tillapaud@viu.ca.
Tags: In the Community
