Inspiring Young Scientists

Summer camp makes learning fun in Fort Simpson.

Participants in an Elephant Thoughts science camp in Fort Simpson show their instructor, who joined virtually from Ontario, the butterfly feeders that they made.

Fort Simpson - Model cars powered by solar panels on their roofs rolled slowly before amazed young eyes on a sunny afternoon last week in Fort Simpson.

The cars were just one of the many experiments that participants tried during a week-long science camp led by Elephant Thoughts, a Canadian charity known for their educational programming. Liidllii Kue First Nation (LKFN) used its 2021 Youth Infrastructure Grant to fund the camp that ran from Aug. 9 to 13. Every year each of Dehcho Regional Helicopters’ seven Limited Partners can apply for a youth grant and a Women’s Wellness Grant that are funded through our agreements with Great Slave Helicopters.

LKFN was pleased to be able to bring the popular camp back this year. They partnered with the Open Doors Society, who provided staff to run the camp.

“It did get the kids excited about leaning,” said Steve Meek, LKFN’s community wellness co-ordinator.

The camp was made possible by virtual technology. Every afternoon the approximately 20 participants, aged five to 11, were joined over Zoom by Elephant Thoughts educators based in Ontario.

The participants watched and interacted with the instructors using an interactive SMART board in a classroom at Liidllii Kue Elementary School.

Each day the students conducted a number of experiments using kits provided by Elephant Thoughts. In addition to solar powered cars, the kits included snap circuits, butterfly feeders and photosensitive bracelets among others.

“I was more than impressed by the quality of the experiments,” Meek said. “I did think Elephant Thoughts did an excellent job.”

And the youth participants were also enthusiastic. On the final day of the camp Meek asked the youth if they enjoyed science and everyone said yes. He also asked them if they want to do the camp again next year.

“All of the hands went up,” he said.