The 3rd annual “What’s Up In Space" Camp & STEM Contest was a “cosmic” success!
The hundreds of elementary school kids enjoyed a video welcome by Commander Chris Hadfield who inspired the kids to participate in STEM. We held our “AstroNut STEM contest” and the amazing winners received Government of Canada Certificates of Appreciation from Lois Brown MP, as well as space books autographed by Canadian astronaut Dr. Dave Williams.
Over the course of 5 hours, the K to grade 8 students were engaged by 12 “space educators” on “everything space” including rocketry, astronomy, the search for extraterrestrial life and FLL robotics. The kids also had special opportunity to Skype with space science expert Bob McDonald from CBC’s “Quirks and Quarks” and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques from the Johnson Space Centre.
There was also an awesome appearance by 2 Star Wars Stormtroopers from Canadian Star Wars Garrison 501…outstanding!
Space Educators
*Chris Hadfield, astronaut…video welcome/STEM contest
*Professor Paul Delaney, York University Observatory
*Elizabeth Howell, space journalist
*Dr. Elliott Coleshill, computer science educator
*Dave Rajnauth, FLL team K-9 coach / NAPAS
*Team Active Astronomy astronomers: Jesse Rogerson, Lianne Manzer, Ryan Marciniak, Julie Tome
*Glenn Iversson, NAPAS
*Nick Balaskas, York University astrophysics technician
*Ontario Falconry Centre
*Henry Zhu, University of Toronto Institute of Aerospace Studies / UTIAS
*Chris Ostafew, UTIAS
Skype Guests
* Bob McDonald, host CBC “Quirks and Quarks”, space expert ex Victoria
* Mike Reid, astronomer University of Toronto ex Toronto
* Maria ”Commander" Nickel, middle school science/ space educator ex Winnipeg
* David Saint-Jacques, CSA astronaut ex Johnson Space Centre
Judging the AstroNuts STEM contest were space-scientists
*Professor Paul Delaney, York University Observatory
*Julie Tome, educator Ontario Science Centre
*Dr. Elliott Coleshill, computer science educator, extensive experience with Canadarm/ Dexter/ NASA/ CSA
*Teressa Black, lead flight director, Challenger Learning Centre, Ontario Science Centre
*John Taylor, Newmarket Regional Councillor
Support from attending politicians
*Lois Brown MP Newmarket/ Aurora
*John Taylor Newmarket Regional Councillor
