Good News for Elementary and High-School Science Teachers!
The Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations (QFHSA) wishes to encourage tomorrow’s scientists by supporting today’s students in developing and nurturing an interest in science.
By providing science experiment materials/equipment to elementary and secondary schools through our Youth Exploring Science program, QFHSA hopes to encourage science activities proposed by science educators.
We are extending an invitation to science teachers to propose a science activity they would like to conduct with their students in the 2023-2024 school year and submit it to us. The chosen proposals will receive up to $1000 in equipment/materials with which to conduct the experiment/activity, be it a Rocket or Entomology Clubs, Horticulture or Physical Dynamics activities. Looking for inspiration? Read how three high schools used their grants below.
Teachers know best what activities will interest their students the most. We look forward to playing a role in getting your students excited about science.
Questions? Please get in touch with the program’s director, Carol Meindl. Telephone: 514-481-5619 or E-mail: carolmeindl@qfhsa.org
Please Note: The application period for 2023/24 Youth Exploring Science grants has ended.
Thank you to everyone who applied for a grant this year. The interest has been phenomenal and we are looking forward to hearing all about the projects when they are completed.
The QFHSA will begin accepting Youth Exploring Science grant applications for the 2024/25 school year beginning on September 1, 2024.
Enjoy your science adventures!
Some of the Delightful Ways Schools Are Exploring Science with a QFHSA’s YES Micro-Grant:
At Metis Beach High School:
The Rocket Science Project
At Metis-sur-Mer, high school students designed and built miniature solid fuel rockets with recovery parachutes and associated launch pads. Along the way, they learned about aerodynamics, the property of materials, machining and assembling processes, as well as basic electricity, soldering and wiring.
Metis Beach High used the YES grant to purchase:
- 16 B6-2 model rocket engines
- Portable dust collectors
- Carpenters’ glue
- Lead-free solder
- Wood veneer
- Light-weight cotton twine
- Rocket recovery wadding
- Stainless steel rods
- Wood products to make launch pads, frames and nose cones
- R&D buffers
- Cardboard tubes
- Rocket parachutes
- Shock-absorbing devices
- Paint
At Metis Beach High School:
The Wind Turbine Project
Again at Metis Beach, students were encouraged to design and build their own wind turbine. This required inquiry-based learning while covering other topics like, systems in action, alternative energy, structures and mechanism, basic circuitry, and the most prominent topic: Wind Energy!
Metis Beach used the YES grant to purchase:
- 12 V motor
- Dowels 3/16 in (12 cm)
- Different sizes gears
- Little nails
- Wire
- Red LED 1.5 V 20 mA 5 mm
- Resistor 91 ohms ¼ W
- Voltmeter
- Wire strippers
- Soldering iron and stain
At Westwood High School:
The Green Racer Project
Grade 8 students explored the science behind alternative energy sources. They were asked to choose an energy source to power their race cars: Elastic, solar, or electric. They were asked to design and print the wheels for their race cars. Students were introduced to the technical aspects behind rocket design and they used Online CAD programs to produce the wheels for their race cars. Students created (with the help of their teacher) a suitable experimental situation in which they could test which rocket design worked best. Westwood High used the YES grant to purchase:
- Kidder : Elasc Car Design Class Pack
- Kidder: Solar Car Class Pack
- Kidder: Electric Car Kits Class Pack