Destination Exploration
          Destination Exploration is the University of Lethbridge's STEM Outreach Program. The coordinator, Valerie Archibald, is in charge of providing youth with the opportunity to engage in STEM research within high-quality research facilities such as the university. They host themed summer camps each week for children aged 5-13 and teach them about the world of STEM and jobs within the field, as well as support them in various lab activities. iGEM's Laura Keffer-Wilkes hosted three activities for the children. The first was within the university's synthetic biology maker's space, Synbridge, and allowed middle schoolers to utilize high-tech lab equipment, including pipettes and centrifuges. The children learned about DNA and had a blast! The other InnovatHER camps focused on extracting DNA from strawberries, and were geared towards elementary students. These experiments were successful and fun, although “very gross”, as quoted by several little kids. The team members that were able to assist with these three days of research learned about how to pass on knowledge to children in effective ways, and how to ensure youth learned about STEM while having fun!



HYRS Participation

          Many members of our team also participated in the High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS). The HYRS Program helps participants gain experience in the lab and focus on specific projects while getting paid! The program lasts 6 weeks, and it taught many of our members who participated about in-depth STEM work and even 3D printing! Furthermore, team member Grace Cofell who participated in HYRS presented her program work at the Chinook Symposium, a showcase for various individuals and groups to present their projects to crowds!