Tijana Jesse (L), Kirstin Prystupa (C), and Adam Carscadden (R) welcome campers to the 2019 Science Summer Camps. Photo credit: John Ulan
Science Summer Camp instructors are passionate and enthusiastic about sharing their love of science with our camps of future scientists. Meet the instructors of this year's Space camps.
Tijana Jesse
Program: BSc
Interests: Video games, costume design, and space
What do you love most about science?
It opens up your understanding of how the world works, while also showing you new questions to ask.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
Promoting science is important because it opens up the mind to new ways of thinking about the world and gets you to think of questions you never would have asked before. I'm a good science mentor because I listen to every question and answer it as best I can, and if I don't know the answer I will help us find out together.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
Science is one of my passions, and teaching younger people about science and seeing the light of understanding in their eyes when they "get it" is one of my favorite things
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific discovery?
The detection of gravitational waves was immensely influential and important. The LIGO detector was so sensitive and accurate that when the first signal of black holes colliding was detected it nearly perfectly matched the models of it, so much so that at first some of the researchers thought someone had messed with the equipment.
Tell us a fun fact about you!
I went to China as a guest of the government when I was in high school, they brought 100 of the students that applied for the program from all across Canada.
Kirstin Prystupa
Program: Combined BSc and BEd
Interests: I love space and astronomy so I spend a lot of my free time stargazing
What do you love most about science?
I love the explorative nature of science and the constant strive for new knowledge.
As a returning instructor to Science Summer Camps, what did you find fulfilling about the position in previous years/what made you want to return?
Seeing the kids learn new things while having a fun time is extremely rewarding.
What is your favourite memory from instructing camps in previous years?
My favourite part of camp last year was having the kids teach me new things about space! They're so full of knowledge and I love seeing them share it.
What was one of your favourite camp projects/activities to share with campers?
I loved building rockets with the kids, seeing their eyes light up and watching their faces when they launch the rockets!
Tell us a fun fact about you!
This fall I will start my first classroom practicum, which means I'll get to share my love of science with more students.
Adam Carscadden
Program: BSc, honors astrophysics
Interests: Playing guitar, producing music, playing golf, and reading
What do you love most about science?
My favourite part of science is developing and understanding the mathematics underlying physical processes on Earth and in space.
Why do you think it is important to promote science to young people, and what makes you a good science mentor?
Science is what guides good and informed decision making as an adult, and it can be a rewarding and truly fulfilling study. I think my unwavering enthusiasm for learning can be infectious and makes me a good science mentor.
Why did you want to work with Science Summer Camps?
I thought it would be a fun way to develop my science literacy and communication skills over the summer.
Can you tell us a fun fact about your favourite scientist or scientific discovery?
Richard Feynman is my favourite scientist. He was a physicist who I truly believe was the best teacher of all time. His lectures online have given me so much insight, and he used connections to everyday life to make complicated physics topics easily understandable.
Tell us a fun fact about you!
I am a member of the University of Alberta satellite team AlbertaSAT.