Science workshops
Are you an elementary teacher who would like to bring fun, hands-on activities to your STEM class?
Adventures in Engineering and Science at the University of Ottawa offers 14 workshops that are aimed at helping elementary school students understand different subjects in engineering and science, while having fun! They are designed to fit the Ontario and Quebec curriculum and are led by experienced undergraduate students of the Faculties of Engineering and of Science. Our workshops are tailored for classrooms no bigger than 35 students and are available only in the months of May and June.
Cost
- $90 per workshop at your school or $50 per workshop at the uOttawa campus
- ($130 for Biodiversity at your school or $90 for Biodiversity at the uOttawa campus)
Bulk Discount
Workshop prices reduce by $5 per workshop if four or more are ordered for the same day, at the same location
Format
Our group of dynamic instructors will join you at your school or at the uOttawa campus . A maximum of 35 students enjoy a hands-on workshop lasting 60-75 minutes, related to a specific engineering or science topic. The teacher is expected to stay in the classroom at all times and complete a short evaluation at the end of the workshop.
Registration
Pick a workshop that best suits your curriculum and your students’ interests. Register to book a date and time that works for you.
(For technology and coding workshops, please visit our Maker Mobile workshops page.)
Workshops
Understanding Life Systems
5 Senses
(JK, SK, Gr. 1)
Discover the five senses and how they interact together to give us an image of the world surrounding us. Students will investigate their five senses through interactive activities.
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
K | Science & Technology | Conduct simple investigations through free exploration, focused exploration, and guided activity, using inquiry skills (questioning, planning, predicting, observing, communicating). |
1 | Needs and Characteristics of Living Things | Investigate needs and characteristics of plants and animals, including humans. |
Human body
(Gr. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
The human body demystified! With demonstrations and interactive discussions, students will discover the different organ systems that work together to make our body function. We will talk about the four nutritional groups and how food gives our body energy. Students will take part in a hands-on demonstration to see the digestive system in action!
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
5 | Human Organ Systems | Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and function of human body systems and interactions within and between systems. |
Crime scene investigation
(Gr. 4, 5, 6)
We need your help in solving a mystery! In groups, the students will test different materials found at the scene of the crime. This workshop introduces the study of chemistry and biology of the human body!
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
5 | Properties and Changes in Matter | Conduct investigations that explore the properties of matter and changes in matter. |
Wild world
(JK, SK, Gr. 1)
This workshop introduces its participants to biology. There will be interactive demonstrations with a range of topics from life-sized mammalian skulls to understanding the difference between herbivores and carnivores. Hands-on investigation of the physical characteristics of these specimens allows the students to understand how these animals survive in their respective communities.
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
K | Science & Technology | Conduct simple investigations through free exploration, focused exploration, and guided activity, using inquiry skills (questioning, planning, predicting, observing, communicating). |
1 | Needs and Characteristics of Living Things | Investigate needs and characteristics of plants and animals, including humans. |
2 | Growth and Changes in Animals | Investigate similarities and differences in the characteristics of various animals. |
Biodiversity
(Gr. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
On your mark, get set, dissect! In this workshop students will get to dissect a specimen themselves! The students will learn how to safely and properly dissect a specimen in order to understand how its organ systems work together. They will also learn about characteristics unique to that creature.
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
4 | Habitats and Communities | Investigate the interdependence of plants and animals within specific habitats and communities. |
6 | Biodiversity | Investigate the characteristics of living things, and classify diverse organisms according to specific characteristics. |
Understanding Structures and Mechanisms
Geared up for pulley power
(Gr. 4, 5)
This workshop introduces its participants to gears and pulleys. Students will design, build, and test a pulley and gear train to lift a heavy load.
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
4 | Pulleys and Gears | Investigate ways in which pulleys and gears modify the speed and direction of, and the force exerted on, moving objects. |
Structures and mechanisms
(Gr. 8)
Investigate structures and mechanisms through a hands-on building activity. In small teams, build a machine that efficiently accomplish challenging tasks using hydraulics systems and simple machines.
|
Grade |
Topic |
Overall Expectation |
|
8 |
Systems in Action |
Investigate a working system and the ways in which components of the system contribute to its desired function |
Forces and structures
(Gr. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
In this exciting workshop, students will discover the importance and utility of stability and forces. This workshop will describe the importance of various types of forces and of geometric forms in the construction of buildings. The students will apply their newly acquired knowledge in a building challenge!
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
3 | Strong and Stable Structures | Investigate strong and stable structures to determine how their design and materials enable them to perform their load-bearing function. |
5 | Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms | Investigate forces that act on structures and mechanisms. |
7 | Form and Function | Design and construct a variety of structures, and investigate the relationship between the design and function of these structures and the forces that act on them. |
Understanding Matter and Energy
Energy and me
(JK, SK, Gr. 1)
In this fun interactive workshop, students will discover three different kinds of energy: light, heat and sound. Through hands-on activities and exploration, they will the way energy is used in our daily life!
|
Grade |
Topic |
Overall Expectation |
|
K |
Science & Technology |
Conduct simple investigations through free exploration, focused exploration, and guided activity, using inquiry skills (questioning, planning, predicting, observing, and communicating) to learn about energy in our daily life. |
|
1 |
Energy in Our Lives |
Investigate how different types of energy (light, heat and sound) are used in daily life. |
Optics and sounds
(Gr. 4, 5)
This workshop focuses on introducing children to the fascinating world of lights, sounds and waves. The concepts of refraction, incidence angle and critical angle are demonstrated with the use of laser light passing through different mediums. The study of sound is also introduced with a dynamic activity on vibrations.
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
4 | Light and Sound | Investigate the characteristics and properties of light and sound. |
Electricity
(Gr. 5, 6)
How much do you really know about electricity? Electricity is one of the most important resources of our time and yet many of us still don’t know how it works. Through interactive demonstrations and activities, students will be able to discover how electricity can be created and controlled to suit our everyday needs. Students will get the opportunity to build their very own circuits.
|
Grade |
Topic |
Overall Expectation |
|
6 |
Electricity and Electrical Devices |
Investigate the characteristics of static and current electricity, and construct simple circuits. |
Chemical creations
(Gr. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Chemistry is everywhere! Come discover the mystifying world of molecules and atoms. New concepts are taught through a series of fun chemical reactions. The interactive experiments performed will reflect the grade level of your class.
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
2 | Properties of Liquids and Solids | Investigate the properties of and interactions among liquids and solids. |
5 | Properties of and Changes in Matter | Conduct investigations that explore the properties of matter and changes in matter. |
7 | Pure Substances and Mixtures | Investigate the properties and applications of pure substances and mixtures. |
Understanding Earth and Space Systems
Rockin’ geology
(Gr. 4)
“What is a mineral?” This presentation will give you the answer and will allow its participants to explore the unique properties of these solids (crystal form, hardness, cleavage, colour and luminescence). The numerous uses of minerals in society are also described.
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
4 | Rocks and Minerals | Investigate, test, and compare the physical properties of rocks and minerals. |
Green conscience
(Gr. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Participants explore the science of global climate change through unique and innovative games and activities. They then explore the implications of this global issue and discuss how climate change will affect them. Participants will also construct and race solar powered cars!
Grade | Topic | Overall Expectation |
5 | Conservation of Energy and Resources | Investigate energy transformation and conservation. |
6 | Electricity and Electrical Devices | Evaluate the impact of the use of electricity on both the way we live and the environment. |