Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
January 08, 2004
S@GE awarded NSERC grant
The University of Guelph's popular science and engineering camp, S@GE, has received a grant from the federal Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
The grant – worth about $45,000 over three years – falls under NSERC’s PromoScience Program, which offers financial support for organizations working with young Canadians to promote understanding of science and technology. S@GE is co-sponsored by the Office of Open Learning, Hospitality Services and Student Housing Services. All six U of G colleges are represented.
“We are very pleased that our funding was renewed for another three years,” said Virginia Gray, director of the Office of Open Learning. “This is a testament to the realization of the program's objectives and quality of the program.”
Now in its sixth year, the camp hosts some 1,000 Grade 7 and 8 children and their teachers from all over Ontario annually. Students register as a school class, staying in residence with their teachers and chaperones and experiencing interactive learning using university computer and laboratory facilities. Multi disciplinary modules are designed in partnership with Guelph faculty and taught by graduate students with expertise on the topic. U of G students also provide direction and supervision during recreational activities and meals.
"We are so proud of this youth program,” said Gillian Joseph, program development co-ordinator for the Office of Open Learning. “The support of faculty and graduate students involved in S@GE across all colleges has been terrific and it’s wonderful to receive such recognition from NSERC for a second time. It means we can continue to build an educational program of quality that is also exciting and stimulating. There's nothing like seeing that growing enthusiasm for science in the faces of our participants each year.”
This year’s S@GE sessions run from May 3 to June 11. Campers will choose one of two "streams" to focus on during their stay. This year, one stream will explore environmental science, geography and natural disasters, food science, aquatics/zoology and history of science. The second will focus on veterinary science, food as medicine, physics of music, psychology and plant biotechnology. In addition, students may choose electives that include forensic science mysteries, computer science, the science of photography and “fear factor” science, which focuses on the nervous system.
For additional information on S@GE, contact Joseph in the Office of Open Learning at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53133.
Contact:
Gillian Joseph
Program Co-ordinator, Office of Open Learning
(519) 824-420, Ext. 53133
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
