Science workshops for kids
Bring fun live demonstrations and activities to your STEM class!
Adventures in Engineering and Science at the University of Ottawa offers 14 in-person workshops during the months of May and June and 10 online workshops, all year-long, that are aimed at helping elementary school students understand different subjects in engineering and science, while having fun! They are designed to fit eh Ontario and Quebec curriculum and are led by experienced undergraduate students of the Faculties of Engineering and of Science.
Cost
- $50 per online workshop
- $100 per workshop at your school or $60 per workshop at the uOttawa campus
- $140 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
Location
Our group of dynamic instructors can join you at your school, at the uOttawa campus or online.
- If you want our team to go to your school, make sure to book at least 2 workshops (i.e. with other teachers).
- There is no minimum number of bookings required for workshops held at the uOttawa campus.
- For online workshops: teachers will create a meeting either with Google Meet or Microsoft Teams and invite us to participate.
Language
- Workshops are unilingual (English or French), depending on the needs of the participants.
Format
In-person workshops
A maximum of 35 students enjoy a hands-on workshop lasting 60-75 minutes, related to a specific engineering or science topic.
- Based on feedback from our instructors and teachers, workshops work best with groups of 15-25 students. If you have a group of more than 35 students, the best option is to split the group into two as there won’t be enough material for every student.
- The teacher is expected to stay in the classroom at all times and complete a short evaluation at the end of the workshop.
Our workshops are available only in the months of May and June.
Online workshops
A maximum of 35 students enjoy a workshop lasting 30-45 minutes, related to a specific engineering or science topic.
- Based on feedback from our instructors and teachers, workshops work best with groups of 15-25 students. If you have a group of more than 35 students, the best option is to split the group into two.
- The teacher is expected to stay in the meeting at all times and complete a short evaluation at the end of the workshop.
Our workshops are available all year long.
Registration
Pick a workshop that best suits your curriculum and your students’ interests.
- Select two potential workshop dates. Registrations for workshops are done on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Once registration is complete, you will receive an email from Adventures 1-3 business days following the receipt of your application. Occasionally, it can take up to 5 business days for us to contact you. If you do not hear back from Adventures within a week, please send us an email at: adventures@uottawa.ca.
- Once your registration has been processed, we will send you an email with a tentative schedule. You must review it thoroughly then reply by email to either confirm your registration or make changes.
Registration for Spring 2020 will open in January 2020.
(For technology and coding workshops, please visit our Maker Mobile workshops page.)
In-person workshops
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. They will then use Ozobots, little programmable robots, to understand how the digestive and circulatory systems work.
|
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. |
Wild world
(JK, SK, Gr. 1, 2)
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. In the second part, students will use Beebots to learn more about animals living in different ecosystems and the life cycle of animals.
|
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. Investigate the life cycle of 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. |
Structures and mechanisms
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. |
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. |
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. |
Online workshops
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.
Material required: favourite toy and snack or juice.
| Grad | 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 the needs and characteristics of plants and animals, including humans. |
Human Body
(Gr. 4, 5, 6)
With demonstrations and interactive discussions, students will discover the different organ systems that work together to make our body function.
| Grad | 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. |
Wild World
(Gr. 1, 2)
This workshop introduces its participants to biology. There will be interactive demonstrations for understanding the difference between herbivores and carnivores.
Investigation of the physical characteristics of these specimens allows the students to understand how these animals survive in their respective communities. In the second part, students will use an online program to code a virtual Beebot to learn more about animals living in different ecosystems and the life cycle of animals.
| Grad | Topic | Overall expectation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Needs and Characteristics of Living Things | Investigate the 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. Investigate the life cycle of animals. |
Structures and mechanisms
Forces, structures and earthquakes
(Gr. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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. They will see live demonstrations of earthquakes and will understand what makes a structure stable and strong.
| 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 |
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 demonstrations and exploration, they will discover the way energy is used in our daily life! Kids can participate in a fun activity on sound vibration at home or in class.
Material needed: a plastic glass, plastic wrap (Saran wrap), a few grains of dry rice or sand.
| 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 and dispersion are demonstrated with the use of laser light passing through different mediums.
| Grade | Topic | Overall expectation |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Light and Sound | Investigate the characteristics and properties of light and sound. |
Electricity
(Gr. 5, 6)
Through interactive demonstrations and activities, students will be able to discover how electricity can be created and controlled to suit our everyday needs. They will investigate different types of circuits and will watch cool demonstrations of static electricity with a Plasma Ball!
| Grade | Topic | Overall expectation |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Electricity and Electrical | Investigate the characteristics of static and current electricity, and construct simple circuits. |
Chemical Creation
(Gr. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
Chemistry is everywhere! Discover the mystifying world of molecules and atoms. New concepts are taught through a series of fun chemical reactions demonstrations. An optional interactive experiment can be performed at home or in the classroom if you wish to.
Material needed: 1 cup of white glue, 2 tablespoons of laundry soap and pinch of salt.
| 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. |
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)
Participants explore how you can minimize your carbon footprint, the difference between renewable and non-renewable energies and how energy can be transformed. Through demonstrations, games and activities, they then explore the implications of this global issue and discuss how climate change will affect them.
| 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 |
Frequently-asked questions
Format
Do I need to give the exact number of students that will be participating?
Yes. In order for Adventures to be able to sustain its programs (including workshops at schools), we rely on sponsorship from a number of partners. Therefore, we must provide accurate statistics, including the number of students participating in each workshop. We thank you for taking the time to provide us with all the necessary information required in the registration form.
Cost
Do you offer free workshops?
Yes, we offer a number of free workshops to a variety of non-profit organizations, including community centres, youth groups, aboriginal and Inuit centres, Boys and Girls clubs, Scout groups, and Girl Guide groups. To find out if your group/organization is eligible for a free workshop, or to book one, please email us at: adventures@uottawa.ca.
Due to COVID-19, the Faculty of Engineering Outreach Office is offering most of its programs in an online format until further notice. We are still accepting registrations for all summer programs, see this page for updated details.