A new program to encourage Aboriginal students to pursue science-related careers will offer local grade schoolers field trips, experiments and lectures from faculty members, current science students and Aboriginal instructors.

The 4Winds Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) and Beginning Time Teachings Aboriginal Youth Science Camp, for students in grades six, seven and eight, will run Saturdays on campus.

“Most Aboriginal students are not choosing those subjects, and we hope to encourage them to pursue postsecondary education and look further into the hard sciences,” says Russell Nahdee, coordinator of the Aboriginal Education Centre.

The program topics will present STEM subjects in the context of indigenous knowledge and culture in the areas of health, food, shelter and technology. Aboriginal communities used science practices prior to European contact, a primary instance of which is the drying process used for preserving meat and berries, says Nahdee. The teepee, canoes, toboggan, igloo and snowshoes are iconic, economical pieces of engineering in their own right.

Education professor Anthony Ezeife will help with the camp. He has extensive experience in uniting nature and traditional practices with STEM subjects. Growing up in Nigeria, then colonized by the British, Dr. Ezeife used herbs to cure diseases, but in school, he was taught science with examples that were foreign to his environment.

“I remember learning about friction, and the example in the textbook had to do with ice skates,” he recalls. “I could not relate to this because there are no skating rinks in Africa. This disconnection makes the relationship between culture and school subjects even more important to making science less foreign to the students.”

The program, funded by the University of Windsor Strategic Priority Fund, also involves a partnership with the Can Am Indian Friendship Centre of Windsor and the UWindsor Faculty of Science.

— article and photo by Chantelle Myers

Tom Lewand, president of the National Football League’s Detroit Lions, will discuss the fundamental leadership attributes and processes that he used to make the team one of the most-improved in the NFL during the next instalment of the Odette School of Business Breakfast with Champions speaker series, Tuesday, October 2.

Now in his 18th season with the Detroit Lions and fourth as the club’s president, Lewand guides the team’s direction and oversees day-to-day operations. Among his responsibilities, he is the franchise’s chief player contract negotiator and manages its finances, player development, equipment operations, broadcasting, sales and marketing, and the development of Ford Field as a multi-use facility.

The October 2 event is set for the Caboto Club, 2175 Parent Avenue at Tecumseh Road. It will begin with a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m., follow with the presentation and discussion at 8 a.m., and conclude by 9 a.m.

The Breakfast with Champions speaker series is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. RSVP by September 27 on a first-come, first-served basis to Barbara Barone at 519-971-3678 or e-mail bbarone@uwindsor.ca.

Lots of giveaways, interactive displays and even a chart to track the nutritional value of your food intake are on the menu for the Health Fair in the CAW Student Centre Commons on Wednesday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Displays by health providers on campus and in the community will encourage attendees to focus on issues relevant to young adults:

• analyze your lung capacity and test your carbon monoxide levels;
• take the eChug Challenge to check your alcohol consumption;
• enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating mini-massage;
• test the effectiveness of your hand-washing technique;
• register to become a bone marrow or organ donor and even submit a sample swab.

The fair is sponsored by Student Health Services, Campus Recreation, the University of Windsor Students' Alliance and the Organization of Part-time University Students. Find more information at uwindsor.ca/health.

Lina Nardone, an administrative assistant in the Faculty of Education, won yesterday’s DailyNews trivia contest and the prize of two tickets to see the University Players production of Jake’s Women.

Nardone’s name was drawn from all contestants who correctly responded that Alan Alda received a Tony nomination for his 1992 Broadway portrayal of Jake, Anne Archer played Maggie in the 1996 television adaptation, and The Goodbye Girl was a film before it was a play.

The University Players production of Jake’s Women continues through Sunday at Essex Hall Theatre. For information or tickets, call 519-253-3000, ext. 2808, or visit www.universityplayers.com.

The campus community barbecue is an example of how the university wants to serve students, says provost Leo Groarke.

He was one of the campus celebrities who put on aprons to hand out a free lunch at the event September 20, an experience he said he looks forward to.

“Today the emphasis is on the food for the body, but the rest of the time, the emphasis is on food for the mind,” Dr. Groarke said.

View a video of the event, produced by Peter Freele of the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

With a simple stick and line, two 14-year-old Inuit boys are able to reel in sculpin, a spiny fish, off the main dock of the harbour in Clyde River, Nunavut, but had never considered it as a career.

That might be because there are no commercial fisheries in this remote village of about 800 people, located 600 kilometres north of Iqaluit, but that may change in the near future, says Stephen Fields.

The research communications writer is part of a team working to establish sustainable fisheries that will bring much-needed job opportunities to northern communities starved for development.

Fields is blogging about his experiences in Canada’s far north; read his latest post.

Whether you call it a pep rally to offer encouragement for the long academic year ahead or recognition for a job well done, Friday’s Faculty of Science Dean’s reception to honour the academic achievements of its brightest students was packed to the rafters with outstanding scholars and their proud families and friends.

More than 350 science students with a grade point average of 90 per cent or greater took their place on the Dean’s Honour Roll and were welcomed by dean of science Marlys Koschinsky.

“It really is important for students to be recognized for all they put into their studies,” Dr. Koschinsky says. “This event is a chance for us to showcase the core values of our faculty. We attract top quality students and it’s very encouraging for faculty and staff to see all of these success stories—we just keep getting better and better.”

Koschinsky says the number of students holding a place on the Dean’s honour roll has increased by 31 per cent over the past year, while first-year students entering science with 90 per cent or greater has increased by 30 per cent over the past year.

Third-year chemistry student Anthony Sundre says he appreciates being acknowledged for his hard work and the event gives him a chance to see that he’s not alone in his efforts.

“It’s comforting to see that other people are going through what I’m going through as far as studying—we all put in a lot of work, especially in science,” Sundre says. “It’s pretty cool that they do this for students and it’s definitely a motivation to keep working hard.”

Touba Warsi, who will graduate in October from Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience, was accompanied by her family on Friday. She has been a regular attendee at the annual event.

“Even though I’m finished my courses I still came back because I really like that they do this for the students and I definitely feel proud,” she says. “Knowing that I’m being acknowledged has helped me work harder to keep my grades up.”

Koschinsky says that holding the event in September gives student the incentive to work hard from the beginning of the year and is a reminder that the entire faculty supports both their efforts and their successes.

“We want them to know that we’re behind them all the way,” she says. “Students make our world go round.”

See a full list of honorees on the Faculty of Science Web site.

The University Bookstore is offering a 30 per cent discount on all general reading books—including already sale-priced items—through October 5.

“We have thousands of titles in every genre,” says marketing manager Martin Deck. “Come on down and stock your shelves—or get an early jump on your holiday gift shopping.”

All general reading books are now on the main floor and basement of the Bookstore, located at the corner of Wyandotte and California streets in the Odette Building.

A blood donor clinic scheduled for Vanier Hall on Wednesday, September 26, is aimed at students living in residence but open to all, says Canadian Blood Services.

The clinic runs 5 to 8 p.m. in the Oak Room; as always, walk-in donors are welcome. The entire experience, including health assessment and recovery, takes about an hour.

According to Joan Hannah, community development coordinator for Canadian Blood Services, a September 18 clinic in the CAW Student Centre collected 128 units, well over its target of 86.

“My thanks to all who helped make this possible by donating,” she says.

To book an appointment for Wednesday’s clinic, phone Sandra Davis at 519-253-3000, ext. 5067.