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News Release

July 17, 2007

New U of G Science Camp Includes Zany Zoology

Now here's a summer camp with teeth.

Aspiring veterinarians and animal lovers will dissect sharks at "Zany Zoology," a new science camp running this week at the University of Guelph.

Children aged 12 to 14 will don lab gear and wield real instruments to dissect spiny dogfish sharks in Room 2304 of U of G's new science complex Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. The dissections will be led by U of G master's student Joanna McPherson.

The youngsters will also tour the Ontario Veterinary College, see a wild bird presentation, analyze paw prints and try bone casting.

"Campers will learn about the anatomy of sharks and basic dissection tools while gaining exposure to a university science lab with the hopes of inspiring them to study science," says Erin Woods, a recent biological engineering grad and co-director of Creative Encounters at Guelph.

A second Zany Zoology camp is slated for Aug. 13 to 17.

Week-long science and engineering camps running at the University this summer for children in grades 4 to 9 include the PAGES camp for girls and sessions in computer science and technology, robotics and game design. Also new this year is "Icky Discoveries," where children in grades 4 to 6 will learn about the science behind things that make us say "Ick!"

Creative Encounters is part of a national student-run organization that offers science, engineering and technology camps for youngsters through U of G's School of Engineering.