Let's Talk Science

Let's Talk Science

Let's Talk Science

Let’s Talk Science is a national charitable organization committed to inspiring and empowering Canadian youth to develop the skills they need to participate and thrive in an ever-changing world. To accomplish this, Let’s Talk Science offers a comprehensive suite of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) based programs and training to support youth, educators and volunteers across Canada in both official languages. For more information about Let's Talk Science, visit www.letstalkscience.ca.

Let’s Talk Science Outreach is a free, national program that connects youth and educators with post-secondary and industry volunteers at over 50 Let’s Talk Science Outreach sites, including the University of Calgary. Our volunteers engage youth in a wide variety of hands-on / minds-on STEM learning experiences in schools and community settings. Typically, volunteers work in teams to deliver pre-developed activity kits in a classroom setting or running activity booths at large events. There are also opportunities to deliver content online with a variety of national programs such as career panels or live broadcasts.

Who?

All Bachelor of Education students

What?

Volunteers will deliver hands-on science outreach activities to youth. 

 

When?

Volunteers can register for opportunities at their convenience

Where?

In-person opportunities within Calgary & area as well as remote & rural areas

Let's Talk Science Logistics

What's Involved

Volunteers will deliver hands-on science outreach activities to youth. Participating students will receive Let’s Talk Science training on science communication and outreach policies, and gain access to other PD offerings. Upon completion of the mandatory basic training, volunteers can access volunteer opportunities at their convenience throughout the year, including EDIA initiatives.

Requirements

  • Volunteers will sign up on our online volunteer portal and participate in Volunteer Basic Training prior to any volunteer opportunities.
  • Police Information Checks including Vulnerable Sector Searches are required for some volunteer opportunities.
  • Current Let’s Talk Science policy requires all volunteers participating in in-person activities to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 according to their local health authority’s recommendations.

Program Locations

Local opportunities are at any formal and informal educator centres in Calgary including schools, museums, and libraries.

Arrangements can be made with remote students to engage schools and organizations within their local community anywhere within Canada.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Apply a variety of teaching strategies to meet the needs of individual learners in different educational settings.

  • Examine a variety of approaches to teaching and learning in non-traditional educational settings.

  • Examine how educators apply teaching concepts in their daily work.

  • Examine how teaching and learning take place in other contexts.

  • Gain experience working with youth in a small group setting

  • Identify specific opportunities for you to contribute to program communities in a positive, professional manner

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)

Let's Talk Science Dates 

  • Placements begin:
    • Fall: early October
    • Winter: early January
  • Placements end:
    • Fall: mid-December
    • Winter: mid-March
  • Training Session: September (days and time TBA). Self-paced training options are offered throughout the academic year.
  • Classroom outreach opportunities typically run during regular school instructional hours (8:00 am to 4:00 pm), with occasional opportunities during weekends

There are no minimum participation requirements, but most volunteers attend 2-10 activities per year contributing 4+ hours.

Making Connections

  • 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.
Service-Learning group

Winter 2024 applications are now closed.

Interested in applying for a future semester?

  1. Log on to Elevate and go to My Werklund Experiences > Courses/Programs
  2. Find the Service-Learning program and click Apply
  3. Complete the Service-Learning Application

Download an application guide here.

Apply on Elevate!

“Teaching in a small rural school, we have limited access to field trips and exposure to experts in their field. This activity was a valuable opportunity for my students to engage with experts in a fun and engaging way.“

Participating Educator

“I think this virtual outreach has given me a great starting opportunity to develop my public speaking and presentation skills. With each event I do, I feel more and more confident about my ability to communicate and be a good role model in STEM! “

Outreach Volunteer