Students on campus for All Science Challenge
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/allsciencechallenge10.jpg” caption=”This year’s All Science Challenge includes a bridge designing competition. Students, like the one pictured above, build bridges out of materials such as wall hangers, sticky notes and reflective strips. Photo by Kevin Elliott.”]
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With team names like The Electric Thunder Chickens and DJ Bill Nye the Science Guy, middle school science whizzes will certainly come armed with smiles and good spirits as they invade McMaster's Burke Science Building this afternoon to compete in the sixth annual All Science Challenge.
The event, organized by Let's Talk Science student volunteers, is a day-long science enrichment competition for grades 6, 7 and 8 students from 12 Hamilton-area schools. The program is part of a national organization that delivers science learning programs and services to children to inspire teamwork, friendly competition and enthusiasm for science, engineering and technology.
McMaster first developed the All Science Challenge in 2004 and it has since spread to 11 different universities in Canada.
This year's Challenge is expected to attract nearly 300 students who will be divided into teams of four. Teams will compete against each other in a question-and-answer trivia round, as well as in a design challenge.
“The design challenge is something that is usually a surprise for the students and this year they will be building a bridge out of materials supplied by 3M,” said Kyla Sask, a McMaster graduate student and event organizer. Instead of the usual Popsicle stick bridge challenge that many grade school students experience, teams will have to work with materials such as wall hangers, sticky notes and reflective strips.
The top 10 teams will advance to the elimination round in the afternoon to compete for top honours and prizes. The event will also offer students a “fun house” over lunch with many hands-on activities and science demos.
Dave Williams, astronaut and McMaster professor, will be on hand as a guest judge for the elimination round. Canadian Olympic medalist and McMaster student Melanie Kok will provide her services as a spirit judge throughout the day.
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