Few things grab a child鈥檚 attention quite like a noisy rocket flying into the sky.
鈥淭he very first one is always very exciting,鈥� says Dal Chemical Engineering student Bai Bintou Kaira. 鈥淚t can be quite noisy; if the kids aren鈥檛 paying attention, usually because they鈥檙e talking, they can get quite surprised by the sound.鈥�
Bintou has spent her summer on a co-op term with the (ILA) 鈥斅燼 university-community partnership focused on improving student success and bridging the achievement gap for youth of African heritage in Nova Scotia. With a particular focus on STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), ILA operates across the province through a variety of different programs.
Bintou first got involved with ILA as a tutor in its Virtual School Program. Now, during her co-op term, she鈥檚 been helping lead a partnership with the Department of Education鈥檚 African Canadian Services Division on its annual BrainPower/Quest for Knowledge Summerslide daycamps. The partnership sees ILA helping the elementary-age campers build and launch rockets as a way to have fun with science and technology.
To the skies
ILA first began working with the Summerslide camps three years ago in North Preston. Last year, ILA expanded the two-afternoon activity to include Beechville, and this year took the rockets on the road to Digby.
鈥淲e do rocket assembly the first day, and the second day is the rocket launching,鈥� explains Bintou. 鈥淒uring the first day we explain the concept behind the rocket, and do a presentation on something science-related; this year it was about the solar system. It鈥檚 about getting the kids excited about space, science and technology.鈥�
The rockets are made out of a cardboard, but with an actual small engine attached. (Dal鈥檚 Faculty of Engineering sponsors the rocket kits, supplied by Maritime Hobbies & Crafts.) They take about an hour for the students to assemble, but they have to wait until the following day to see them take to the skies. The rockets have quite the range; Bintou says some of them aren鈥檛 quickly recovered. All students receive certificates for their participation, with special prizes for the rockets that go the highest and farthest.
鈥淚t was pretty cool because we got to make them ourselves and it was hands-on," said Shaneyce, a student who took part in the Beechville BrainPower camp.
Smart science
For Bintou, who came to Dalhousie from The Gambia, being involved with Imhotep鈥檚 Legacy Academy is an inspiring experience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 making sure others have the chance to be in university, to learn about science; it鈥檚 impactful,鈥� she says. 鈥淭here are [high school] students I鈥檝e tutored two years ago who are in university now, and you know what they went through to be here. They鈥檝e achieved something 鈥� and now they鈥檙e set to achieve even more.鈥�
Imhotep's Legacy Academy's sponsors include several Dal faculties, including Engineering, Medicine, Health Professions, Science and Computer Science, along with the President's Office. Learn more about the academy and its programs .