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Stella Heenan,
Regional Coordinator

Stella joined Scientists in School in the fall of 2010 with the specific focus of nurturing our program growth in Hamilton Brantford, Brant Haldimand and Norfolk Counties. She comes from a background in both science and education and has successfully combined her teaching and geophysics careers to design dynamic science outreach programs across Canada. Stella is very excited to be involved in a program that will benefit young people throughout the region around her home town of Dundas. As Regional Coordinator, Stella is available to meet and work with parent groups, school organizations, service clubs, or community and business associations to explain the Scientists in School approach, and to share the many ways in which people can be involved.

Stella Heenan
Regional Coordinator
Hamilton Brantford, Brant Haldimand and Norfolk Counties
Scientists in School
PO Box 63083 University Plaza RPO
Dundas ON L9H 6Y3
T: 905-218-6684
E: stella.heenan@scientistsinschool.ca

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School Board Partners

Special thanks go to our school board partners who are actively working with Scientists in School to ensure our program is a great success.

Grand Erie District School Board
Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic School Board
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
And some independent schools across our region.

We welcome additional school board partners. If you are interested in partnering with Scientists in School, please contact Stella Heenan by clicking here.

OUR COMMUNITY - OUR SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOL

Hamilton Brantford, Brant Haldimand and Norfolk Counties

For over 20 years, Scientists in School's innovative approach to science education has been inspiring kids in southern and eastern Ontario. Now, students in our communities are discovering the power of hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Launched during the 2010/2011 school year, elementary students at 60 schools in the area have enjoyed the opportunity to become scientists in their classrooms, while countless more have enjoyed hands-on science activities at community events. Scientists in School brings scientists from our community into classrooms throughout our area, making science, technology and environmental education fun and exciting for kids. Working directly with school boards, schools and teachers, Scientists in School's award-winning, half-day workshops are earning fans throughout our area.

Want to learn more about how this innovative program can enhance science and technology education in your schools and community? Please contact: Stella Heenan, Regional Coordinator at 905-218-6684 or stella.heenan@scientistsinschool.ca.

New Workshops for 2011/2012

We are adding 5 workshops to our catalogue for the 2011/12 school year, bringing the total number offered in our region to 28.

New this year

For Kindergarten students, Backyard Bugs offers a closer glimpse into the lives of the critters that live closest to us. Students investigate how bugs behave, eat, see, and hear and will make an insect to take home. In Plants Do Amazing Things, grade three scientists explore how a plant breathes, grows, and stores food and they will make their own recycled paper.

Grade five students can now take a journey around the human body in Body Works. Student scientists will build a kidney system, measure lung capacity, test reflexes, identify bones, and measure heart rate.

Grade eight teachers have two new workshops to choose from this year with the addition of Fluid Power and Groundwater Investigations. In Fluid Power, students will compare hydraulic and pneumatic systems, analysing equipment like dump trucks and cranes. Groundwater Investigations encourages students to become stewards of our water systems with hands-on activities exploring nature's filtration system.

We're in the News

Spring is a great time for getting out and about in our communities, and we made the most of it! Check out these great news pieces for photos, video and stories from our open houses in Hamilton and Simcoe, and to learn what it's like to be in a Scientists in School classroom workshop.

• Scientists in School (SNAP Hamilton)
• That ah-ha moment (Simcoe Reformer)
• Welcome to the bone zone (Simcoe Reformer with QMI video)
• Creepy, crawly learning (Delhi News)
• Students make no bones about lesson (Brantford Expositor)

Celebrating our Winners!

We were proud to learn that the Grade 3 boys reading club at Queen Victoria Public School in Hamilton was named one of the winners of Scientists in School's Kidz Lab Challenge! Congratulations to the boys and their teacher, Mrs. McKenna, for their winning entry Lumpy Guts, which earned the title in the not too surprising category - Funkiest Name.

Winners have been announced in our region's Bookmark Contest. 2011/12 bookmarks, given to our student scientists at workshops, will feature art work from Autumn, a grade one student at Seneca Central Public School in York; Jake, a grade two student at Cobblestone Elementary School in Paris; Carly, a grade five student at Elgin Avenue Public School in Simcoe; and Maggie, a grade five student at Port Rowan Public School in Norfolk.

We have some amazingly talented students in our region. We hope they will all be back next year to test their skills in our upcoming contests. Workshops were awarded to three lucky students as door prizes at our spring open houses. Helping to inspire their classmates were Ashlyn and Jonas, both Grade 3 students at Westwood Elementary School in Hamilton, and Melanie, Grade 4 student at Thompson Creek School in Dunnville.

Congratulations to Paige Shirton, Seneca Central Public School. Paige won a free classroom workshop for her students in the system-wide spring draw for participating teachers.

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated in our contests!

The Power Of Partnership

The support of local community and corporate partners is vital to Scientists in School's program in Hamilton Brantford, Brant Haldimand and Norfolk Counties. On a regular basis, we'll profile some of these partners who help make our program a success. Thank you!

Partner spotlight:

Thanks to the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation's Community Fund, area kids have access to the sophisticated scientific equipment and materials that make our workshops so much fun. The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation supports worthwhile community based environmental initiatives. Support from the Brantford and Norfolk/Tillsonburg Chapters is helping Scientists in School build a sustainable program in our region.

Our sincerest thanks are also extended to our other regional supporters including:

• Hamilton Community Foundation
• Imperial Oil Foundation
• Ontario Power Generation
• Ontario Trillium Foundation