Let’s Talk Science doesn’t just get kids talking about science — it gets them talking about the University of Windsor.

“I really believe the more we bring these kids to campus, the more likely they are to consider attending university,” said Carina Evon, a Grade 8 teacher of science and languages at Assumption College Catholic Middle School.

She brought 16 members of her school’s Purple Protons science club to the University of Windsor on Thursday for the Let’s Talk Science Challenge, which engages youngsters from Windsor-Essex elementary schools in exploration, discovery, and competition.

“It’s a positive way for them to learn, and they learn more because it’s self-driven,” Evon said. “It really gets them enthusiastic about the subjects.”

Her student Ben Skillings appreciated the competitive nature of the event, but acknowledged that it involved co-operation, too.

“It took a lot of teamwork and had us open up our minds,” he said.

His classmate Page Schiller said the day proved worthwhile, giving her new insight into various aspects of science and technology.

“You kind of get ahead of the game and learn things the textbooks don’t cover,” she said.

About 140 Grade 6, 7, and 8 students from 11 local schools participated in activities organized by volunteers drawn from the UWindsor student body.

Asma Ghafoor, a third-year biology major, served as a judge in the hands-on mystery design challenge.

“The kids had so much fun,” she said following the closing awards ceremonies. “I really love science and I remember doing science activities when I was their age.”

Teams from Académie Ste. Cécile International School finished first and second in the final ranking.