Austin Ly, Casey Wong, and Eisha Ahmed welcome campers to the 2018 Science Summer Camps. Photo credit: Michaela Ream
Science Summer Camp instructors are passionate and enthusiastic about sharing their love of science with our camps of future scientists. Meet the instructors of our Cyber and Minecraft Minis summer camps.
Casey Wong
Program: BEd, Secondary education
Interests: Reading, video gaming, sewing, cooking, singing, watching movies, and TV
What do you love most about science?
Neil DeGrasse Tyson once said, "The good thing about science is that it is true whether or not you believe in it." I really like that there is a scientific explanation to everything, you just have to make those discoveries or watch as other people make those discoveries.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
Science helps people make sense of the world around them, and it helps people begin to find answers to their questions about the world. Furthering study in science helps further new inventions, technology, and medicines. It's important to inspire young people to ask questions and to learn and further push the envelope of possibility.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
I'm in the bachelor of education program, majoring in general science, and wanted to further my experience teaching science as well as further interest students in science like I was intrigued when I was younger.
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific discovery?
Clara Lazen, in grade five at the time, created a model of a hypothetical molecule, tetranitratoxycarbon. Her science teacher showed Clara's model to his chemist friend, Robert Zoellner, who works at a university. He determined that it was a new and viable chemical and a unique molecule. Robert Zoellner wrote a paper about Clara's discovery, and listed Clara as a co-author. You're never too young to start making scientific discoveries!
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I have five copies of one book, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, because I loved the book series while growing up and I wanted all the different covers and versions that exist for it.
Eisha Ahmed
Program: BSc, specialization in computing science
Interests: I love video games, reading, art (sketching, painting, crafts, you name it!), and computer programming of course. I also love animals and plants, and meeting new people.
What do you love most about science?
There is just so much to learn and so much to discover, you can never get bored.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
Science will open doors for you. We are constantly discovering more about our world (and space) which means there is always room for young enthusiasts to take the lead and be the next Einstein. I have tutored several younger students, and my own enthusiasm in science and learning in general will help me be a good mentor.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
I wish to encourage the enthusiasm of young individuals who are as excited about science as I am, and make sure to light the spark of interest they have.
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific discovery?
The sound frequency of a cat's purr stimulates muscle and bone regeneration; in short, cats can heal themselves and their owners! They also reduce the owner's chances of a heart attack by about 30 per cent.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I can move my ears, and I can fall asleep with my eyes open.
Austin Ly
Program: BSc, specialization in computing science
Interests: Reddit and computer games
What do you love most about science?
I really enjoy the problem solving aspect of science!
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
Science promotes creativity and exploration about the world around us. I think what makes me a good science mentor is that I enjoy teaching kids and explaining how our world works.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
I felt that it was a good opportunity to work as a mentor in science.
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific fact?
Most steel produced by conventional means after the first atomic bomb is more irradiated than steel before the bombs.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I'm pretty blind without my glasses.