Science in the Park coordinator Emily Pendergraft and outreach educator and nature guide Melissa Mrus in front of their new Science on the Move vans. (Submitted)

By Jordan Davidson

science on the move

New vans allow Nanaimo Science to double up on education outreach

Aug 23, 2022 | 11:41 AM

NANAIMO — A Nanaimo science group focused on hands-on education experiences for youth will be able to increase their reach thanks to newly purchased “Science on the Move” vans.

Nanaimo Science has a new cargo-style van to help transport their outdoor teaching equipment, in addition to another new commercial vehicle in their fleet, replacing their old vehicle.

Executive director Elaine Parker said they’ve done a lot of youth-focused science education outreach since their organization was formed about 12 years ago.

“That’s been our primary audience, really trying to engage young people and have them instill that natural curiosity about science, and give them the opportunity to continue learning with a lot of hands-on activities.”

Nanaimo Science, a non-profit agency, is headquartered at Country Club Centre, with their mobile science vans filled with everything science brought directly to the kids.

major closure

Commercial St. closes in downtown Nanaimo for 'The Last of Us' filming

4h ago

charged

Former Nanaimo teacher faces child porn charges

17h ago

Safe Boating

Summer boat safety event in Nanoose highlighting key skills to be safe on the water

19h ago

For the past eight years, the programs have been coordinated through Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools for grades two, five, and six. They also work with teachers to coordinate special field trips, or go into classrooms to teach things like coding and computer programming, as well as provide support for home-schooled students.

Parker said having a second van allows them to offer dual programs in different locations, with their new cargo van making it easier to bring some of their heavier equipment.

“Things like whole classroom sets of digital microscopes which are fairly delicate so we want to make sure they are transported properly. We’ve gone to the beach with grade five students in the spring and summer…checking out how many invasive species of clams are at Departure Bay Beach.”

The vans have been in use during the summer months for their Science in the Park series, where free programs for the public at green spaces were conducted, attracting around 2,000 people.

“We’ve seen some kids grow up through our program, we’ve seen them go into high school and are now pursuing science outside of Nanaimo Science on their own, learning about programming, thinking about University, so that’s been quite neat to see.”

When Nanaimo Science first launched it was focused mainly on the Nanaimo area, but has since expanded to the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area, Ladysmith, and even held a program out on Thetis Island this spring.

Their summer programs have attracted almost 400 kids this year alone.

The purchase of the two new vans was made possible by a $20,000 donation from Mid Island Co-Op, whose continued donations have helped keep the Nanaimo Science vans on the road.

More information on Nanaimo Science and the programs they offer can be found here at their website, nanaimoscience.org.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening

jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow