Yukon College introduces science and technology to pre-teens

Yukon College’s (YC) Innovators in the Schools is making science and technology more accessible to grade seven students. The annual Stay-A-Day program has added Biology and Research to the list of options for students to experience during their visit to Yukon College.

A total of 150 students will spend a day working with Yukon College staff in an experiential educational setting. “Our classes are designed to engage and expose grade seven students to the world of science and technology through hands on learning”, said Heather Dundas, coordinator, Innovators in the Schools. Grade seven classes have been registered in two of the six areas of study: Health, Carpentry, Biology, Research, GPS and Water Resources.

The Stay-A-Day program has involved the Yukon Research Centre of Yukon College, to introduce students to environmental data collection. Students will create a research data set that will be added to by other Stay-A-Day students in years to come. The biology component of the day will see students experience some of the methods used to study animals in the wild as they gain an understanding of how animals adapt to changing environments.

“Yukon College is dedicated to building bridges between K to 12 and post secondary education in the Yukon”, said Karen Barnes, vice president, Education and Research. “The Stay-A-Day program strongly supports our strategic directions of building a community of learners and leading with our strengths in research, programs and service”, said Barnes.

In addition to the new Biology and Research classes, students can learn the science of measurements in Carpentry; study the human body through a computerized patient in Health; study the science of water management in Water Resources; and learn the technology of the Global Positioning System.

The Stay-A-Day program runs on May 24th (Health and Carpentry), the 26th (Biology and Research) and June 1st (Water Resources and GPS).