Beakerhead's Engineered Spectacle Tour

Beakerhead creates educational opportunities for students in grades K-12 to expand "the space of the possible" by providing multiple authentic extensions into cross-curricular and hands-on content at the crossroads of art, science, and engineering. We use art and culture to advance science and engineering as part of everyday life and encourage everyone to participate. Beakerhead reduces social friction, so everyone can explore at the crossroads of science, engineering, and art. It is an expression of the smart and flexible world we are building together, with an unabashed positive sense of inclusion. Delightful, quirky, hands-on, and inspiring.

Beakerhead Guides will lead activities with groups of students in Grades 4-7 during the annual Engineered Spectacle Tour in September 2019. This Field Trip is the chance for students to come to the heart of Beakerhead and see Engineered artworks up close and personal. The activities you will facilitate help students connect Beakerhead to what's happening in their classrooms year-round.

Who?

Best fit for students in their EDUC 400s or their non-education years

Working with students in Grades 4-7

What?

1-day field trip program

Focus on innovation, creativity, science, and the arts

When?

During Beakerhead Festival in September

1 or 2-day program based on your schedule

6-12 hour time commitment

Where?

Prince's Island Park in downtown Calgary

What's Involved

Lead guided tours of the Engineered Spectacles at Beakerhead, and facilitate a variety of activities that connect the installations to the broader curriculum. The Engineered Spectacle Tour is part of Beakerhead's overall programming, happening from September 18-21.
Participants will attend an orientation for the program in early September to learn about the various installations and how to lead the activities with their students.
Pre-service teachers will set up their activities before schools arrive, discuss the science behind each Engineered Artwork piece using the information provided, and lead activities to connect each piece with the curriculum.
Pre-service teachers will participate in 1 group meeting on Thursday, September 26^th from 1:00-2:00pm (EDC 352) to reflect on the service-learning experience, and to guide improvements for the program.

Requirements

Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after July 1, 2019). Students who do not already have a police check should begin this process at their local police station as soon as possible, as police checks often take 4-6 weeks to process.
While all Education students are encouraged to apply, previous experience working with kids, facilitating activities, and comfort speaking in front of groups are all assets. Enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a desire to inspire the youth of Alberta are all key!

Werklund Dates and Times

FALL 2023 (Application is now closed.)

Werklund Fall 2023 Wrap-Up Session: Friday, December 8, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Fall 2023 Placements End: mid-December

WINTER 2024

Winter 2024 application will open on November 20, 2024.
Werklund Winter 2024 Orientation: Monday, December 11, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2024 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
Werklund Winter 2024 Check-In Session: Monday, January 29 at
- 9:30 am - 10:30 am (in-person) or
- 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (Zoom)
Werklund Winter 2024 Wrap-Up Session: Tuesday, March 12, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2024 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)

Beakerhead Engineered Spectacle Dates and Times

Orientation and Training: 2:00-3:00pm on Wednesday, September 11 (Room TBD)
Engineered Spectacle Tours will run from 8:30am-2:30pm on Wednesday, September 19^th, or on Thursday, September 22^nd based on students' schedules
Since most students will be in class during some Tour times, guides will confirm their availability (dates/times) when they apply for the opportunity
Group Reflection Session: Thursday, September 26th from 1:00-2:00pm (EDC 352)

Throughout the semester, pre-service teachers will curate their volunteering experiences using a creative medium (e.g., photos, art, storyboarding, videos, etc.) that best reflects their experiences in the program. Your creative reflections will form part of a public showcase of Werklund student experiences later in the year.
Pre-service teachers will participate in 2 group meetings: one at the mid-point and another at the end of their placement (1 hour each). These group meetings provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to reflect on the community placement experience and to guide improvements for the program.

Want to learn more about Beakerhead?

Visit the Beakerhead website

I got to be in the field with students and school staff doing awesome learning activities with scientific concepts and equipment that are usually not accessible in normal classroom settings. Seeing the creativity that came out of the students and their investment in the activities really blew me away.

Beakerhead Participant

Learning more about STEM/STEAM and how to contextualize these teachings for students was really interesting. Getting hands-on experience leading students in group activities and being able to gain experience made for a cool opportunity!