John Maxwell (L), Kirstin Prystupa (C), and Dalton Ronan (R) 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 Space Science summer camps.
Kirstin Prystupa
Program: Combined BSc and BEd
Interests: I love all things science, especially physics and space! I also love to read and spend time outside.
What do you love most about science?
I love that our knowledge and understanding of the universe and how it works is constantly expanding and changing. I also love how cool some experiments are.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
I think it is crucial to teach and instill a love of science in young people because they are our future. They will be the ones to make the next big discoveries that may change the world. It is important that from a young age they are excited and amazed by the different sciences.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
As a future teacher, this is a dream job for me. I am so excited to teach students about all of the topics in science that I love so much.
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific discovery?
Caroline Herschel was the first female astronomer to receive the gold medal from the Royal Astronomical Society and to be paid for her discoveries.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
A few years ago I travelled to Southeast Asia and volunteered at an elephant conservation centre as well as at the schools in their communities. It was an amazing experience.
John Maxwell
Program: Combined BSc and BEd
Interests: I love rock climbing and football.
What do you love most about science?
It's compelling, interesting, and fun to learn. Whenever you think you understand something, there's always more to dive into.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
It's important that people continue to be curious about the universe and our ability to both understand and manipulate it. We can only build knowledge and technique if we care enough to do it in the first place. I hope to be a good science mentor because I enjoy science myself, and hope to share that experience with others.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
I love science, especially talking about it with others. Getting kids excited about asking questions and exploring hardly sounds like work.
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific discovery?
Einstein's original theory of relativity had a few errors. An experiment was conducted to test the theory and it told us that Einstein was wrong. This could have potentially led to the scientific community disregarding the theory altogether. However, this occurred during WWI and the world wasn't paying much attention. The war gave Einstein time to revise and improve his theory, and afterwards, he was able to present a theory which held up to experimentation.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I know way too much about the Lord of the Rings.
Dalton Ronan
Program: BSc Honors in astrophysics
Interests: Physics, astronomy, camping, hiking, music, and basketball
What do you love most about science?
I love that science encourages curiosity and questions how things work. I love that it's OK to be wrong about something, as that just means there is more to learn, and that for every question answered, many more unknowns may be uncovered.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
I believe that having scientifically literate young people is vital to improve and advance
today's society. Promoting science and encouraging the natural curiosity children possess is a great way to ensure this.
I believe I am a good science mentor not only because I love and have experience in the field of science, but because I also still have the same wonder and curiosities about how the world works as I did when I was young. Having the opportunity to share the wonder and excitement of the science world is something I am looking forward too.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
Working with the science summer camps is a great opportunity for me to continue to work with the subject I love, and share my passion and knowledge for it. It also provides a way for me to advocate the importance of science to today's youth, which is something I believe is very important.
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific discovery?
Astronomers Robert Wilson and Arno Penzias discovered cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) pretty much by accident! When they first detected the signal, they thought it was interference from another source - they even thought it was caused by pigeon droppings on the antenna! The discovery was later determined to be leftover radiation from the Big Bang!
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I am made out of star dust (and so are you).