news and events

Role of cancer researchers revealed

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An interactive cancer centre lab tour, designed by Natalie Andrews, Let’s Talk Science volunteer at the University of Ottawa, receives national recognition

Ottawa-area Grade 11 and 12 students are now getting an in-depth look at the role of cancer researchers thanks to a lab tour of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Cancer Centre, developed by Let’s Talk Science volunteer Natalie Andrews.

More than 250 students have already visited the labs for interactive and informative tours, which involve them in hands-on activities based on the science performed by the centre’s researchers.

Natalie, a 23-year-old Master’s in biochemistry student at the University of Ottawa, has recently been recognized with the 2010 Let's Talk Science CIHR-Synapse Award for developing a successful and innovative health-related activity.

The lab tour was designed with the goal of providing students with opportunities Natalie says she would have cherished as a high school student.

“It wasn’t until university that I discovered what biochemical research actually entailed,” she says. “I figured, why just talk about my research when I could show these students what it’s like to work in a cancer research lab, what it’s like to be a graduate student and why I find it so interesting and rewarding.”

During the tour, students learn about cancer, the research performed at the cancer centre and different methods of treatment. They then rotate through three stations, where they get to try hands-on activities including loading and viewing DNA electrophoresis gels, observing live cancers cells through a microscope and collecting protein from those cells. They also get to learn about the transmission of viruses, as there is a research group at the cancer centre that studies HIV/AIDS.

“I know that the students are appreciative of the insight that graduate students can offer; a group once applauded the volunteers without even being prompted to do so. A reaction like that just makes your day,” says Natalie.

According to Barbara Vanderhyden, PhD, Let’s Talk Science director at the University of Ottawa, the popularity of Natalie’s lab tour has led to frequent requests for similar tours for groups such as the Rotary Club and breast cancer patients.

“While her contributions and effort to organize these tours is nothing short of phenomenal, it is the impact that she is having on both her colleagues and the high school students that is most inspirational,” says Barbara. 

Natalie is thrilled to see the success of her initiative and hopes her story will inspire other graduate students to undertake similar ventures in an effort to better prepare and educate future scientists. “If there is a topic you are truly passionate about and feel that it’s not mainstream enough, that students could share your excitement and benefit from learning about it, then do it!”

Aboriginal students link science and culture

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A dozen Aboriginal students from Dennis Franklin Cromarty and Sir Winston Churchill high schools in Thunder Bay, Ont., showcased the science behind traditional Aboriginal culture at the first annual Aboriginal Science Fair hosted by the Let's Talk Science Partnership Program at Confederation College Friday, April 16.

"We thought what better way to inspire some of the youth of our community than to bring in some traditional knowledge,” said Sandy Stiles, coordinator of the Let's Talk Science Partnership Program at Confederation College. "The event was a great success."

Students covered a wide range of topics in their entries, including how snowshoes work, the healing properties of cedar, tobacco and sweetgrass, and how smudging ceremonies affect the brain.

In addition, nearly 300 Grade 8 students voted on science fair entries and took part in interactive engineering demonstrations and activities. For example, they learned about the physics of air, using a homemade air cannon made out of a garbage can and a fogging machine, learned about electronics computer control thanks to Confederation College students' projects, such as a light cube that spells words or a "mindbot" that detects signals from the brain to control a process, and saw a demonstration of the college's 3D imaging scanner from the Aerospace Centre of Excellence Aerospace Manufacturing program.

Thank you to our volunteers/Merci à tous nos bénévoles

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Let’s Talk Science is extremely thankful for our more than 2,000 dedicated science outreach volunteers that visit classrooms and communities across Canada to get kids excited about science, engineering and technology.

Without your dedication, expertise and enthusiasm, we wouldn’t be able to reach the more than 100,000 youth we do each and every year.  

Thank you for volunteering with Let’s Talk Science!

Parlons sciences apprécie du fond du coeur nos 2 000 bénévoles qui visitent des écoles et des communautés partout au Canada afin de d'exciter les jeunes envers les sciences, le génie et la technologie.

Sans votre enthousiasme, votre expertise et vos efforts, nous ne pourrions pas atteindre les plus de 100 000 jeunes que nous rencontrons chaque année.

Merci d'être bénévole avec Parlons sciences!