Tiny scientists take over the lab at RRU

From mixing slime to hydrophobic sand, these wide-eyed, pint-sized scientists experienced it all.

After a three-year break, Dr. Mickie Noble welcomed kindergarteners and first graders alongside RRU BSc in Environmental Science and Brookes Westshore student volunteers back to her lab for some hands-on learning. 

Q&A with Dr. Mickie Noble

How did it feel to have the elementary school kids back in the lab after three years? 

Really energizing – you forget how amazing it is to see all this again through their eyes – how wonderous science and the world can be. It reminds me of why I thought science was so fascinating in the first place. 

What do you hope that the kids will takeaway from their day in the lab with you? Why is this experience important? 

I hope they realize this is something they could see themselves exploring and doing themselves when they get older. If your only experience of science is reading about it, you never really understand the essence of the exploration and creativity that is involved, or that it connects to things they things they might wonder about.  I hope they all saw themselves as scientists for the day. They certainly were thoroughly engaged in the experience right from the start. 

What inspired you to create the Noble School Lab Visit Grant? 

I really wanted to be able to offer the program freely to the classes  – the only costs for the classes that come are for transportation to RRU. This grant makes sure that every child has the opportunity to attend the field trip. The grant provides a stable budget to support the program and we don’t have to worry that if there are budget cuts that the program will disappear. 

Is there anything else that you want to add? 

I’m very pleased to be welcoming volunteers in grade 10, 11 and 12 from Brooke’s Westshore this year in addition to our BSc volunteers. Over twenty high school students volunteered this year and all the big and little kids had a fabulous time. We are corrupting them one class at a time to convince them that science is fun. 

Learn more about The Noble School Lab Visit Grant.