UCalgary Minds in Motion - Natural Science Summer Camp

Continuing the Host-Parasite Interactions (HPI) Group’s efforts in public education and community outreach, eight graduate students and myself delivered a 75 min session on “Parasites” to an interactive and attentive group of 20 Grade-5 children in the UCalgary Minds in Motion, Natural Science Summer Camp on the 4^th of July. The HPI graduate students gave a short didactic introduction to parasites, these weird and wondrous creatures that exert an under-appreciated and potent influence on individuals (animals and plants) and ecosystems.  This was followed by hands-on activities in four stations, where the Grade-5-ers got to see samples of huge tapeworms and microscopic roundworms, understand how ticks and fleas affect their host, and how drug-resistance arises and propagates through populations of parasites. The room was buzzing with enthusiasm from the ‘teachers’ (the HPI graduate students) and their Grade-5 students. I was incredibly impressed by the level of commitment, engagement and passion displayed by the HPI graduate students as they made the field of parasitology assessable to the Grade-5-ers, underscoring the need for continued research to help us describe (bio-diversity) and understand the world around us. The Grade-5-ers were equally impressive with their awareness of parasites and their curiosity about these curious constant companions of free-living animals: a closing 5-minute question and answer session extended into a 20 min discussion, driven by some cool questions from the kids.

As an observer, I was suitably impressed by the dedication and approach of the HPI graduate students – superb ambassadors for the HPI Group and the University of Calgary. They provided a fun, interactive and informative session for the kids, that surely advanced their awareness of parasites, life sciences and the value of research. If one Grade-5-er is inspired to ask questions about parasites – mission accomplished! Kudos to all the participants for making this such an enjoyable event and a worthy and rewarding investment of HPI’s and the graduate students’ time.