Local kids play with ‘Bee Bots’ and owl droppings (8 photos)

A number of VIPs, including Sault MPP Ross Romano, Science North CEO Guy Labine of Sudbury and Sault Acting Mayor Sandra Hollingsworth, visited Ecole Publique Echo des Rapides Friday to get a first hand look at elementary school children enjoying experiments at Science North’s Summer Camp program being held at the Hugill Street school.

Activities included a close up examination of owl droppings, while Romano and other guests observed and took part.

“It’s exciting to have this camp, it’s a great opportunity for kids in our city. I appreciate the work you’re doing in northern Ontario and look forward to seeing this program continue,” Romano said to Science North officials and Sault partners in a brief speech.  

450 Sault children from ages four to 11, receiving both English and French language instruction, have enjoyed week-long Science North camps this summer since July 2, the camps continuing to Aug. 31.

One activity included a ‘Discovery Camp’ in which children dissected owl droppings, examining the fecal matter to find bones of various smaller animals the owls ate.

“Some are rodents, smaller birds, we often see different parts of mice,” said Alissa Patterson, one of nine Sault postsecondary students hired to staff the Science North summer camp.

Other activities included ‘Curious Kids,’ in which children tested bouyancy levels of various objects such as pasta, ping pong balls and popcorn kernels when dipped into substances such as honey, corn syrup, water and soap, a ‘Tech Wiz’ class involving ‘Bee Bots’ (learning basic code to operate small robotic devices resembling bees), and a ‘Media Camp’ using clay objects made by the children and a computer program to make videos of the objects stopping and starting.

Overall, more than 3,000 kids have participated in Science North summer camps throughout 35 northern Ontario communities this summer.

The Science North summer school program has run since 1987, reaching thousands of northern Ontario children.

“For Sault Ste. Marie to prosper and grow we need to have our workforce compete in the knowledge economy. These summer camps allow young people to learn what career paths are available in science and technology,” Hollingsworth said.

Hollingsworth commended John Dedes, Entomica president and CEO, in attendance Friday, for his own role and that of other local science professionals in encouraging Sault youngsters to study science at the postsecondary level, with a desire to return to the Sault to live and work.

Also present was Todd Fleet, Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre curator, the Bushplane Museum having been a partner with Science North in the annual Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival.

Science North CEO Guy Labine said his organization’s plan is to reach out and arouse interest in science in children and youth throughout all of northern Ontario.

“These summer camps are a part of that strategic plan,” Labine said, thanking MPP Romano for the province’s support for Science North and its programs.