2. Photo: Greg Black, Queen's University
To generate interest,
enthusiasm, and passion
for science and engineering
amongst diverse students
across Ontarioâregardless of cultural, social or linguistic
barriersâby providing innovative, tangible, hands-on educational
experiences in an environment of inclusion and inspiration.
Mission
âI hear and I forget,
I see and I remember,
I do and I understand.â
2
21
3,937
172
BRAND NEW CLUBS
YOUTH
WORKSHOPS
UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTORS
$13,000
4.77 WORKSHOP RATING OUT OF 5
50 MENTORSHIPS
CAMP BURSARIES
3. Director Report
Thank You
The Science Quest team would like to recognize the organizations and people be-
low for their support throughout the year. Our programs continue to grow and
inspire youth across Ontario with the help of these dedicated people. We look
forward to working with you again in the future!
PLATINUM LEVEL SPONSOR
Ontario Power Generation
SILVER LEVEL SPONSOR
Kumon Math & Reading Centre of Kingston West
OTHER SPONSORS
3M
Aboriginal Access to Engineering at Queen's University
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT
Summer Work Experience Program
Canada Summer Jobs
Kingston Employment Youth Services
SUPPORTERS
Actua
Queenâs University
Engineering Society of Queen's University
Queenâs University Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science
Queen's Department of Physics
Kingston Area Recycling Centre
Campus Computer Sales and Service
Gary Neff, Roy Campsell & Rod Burnt
MENTORS
Dr. Stephane Courteau, Dr. Robin Dawes, Dr. Bill Plaxton, Dr. Carlos Saavedra,
Dr. John Smol, Dr. James Stewart, Dr. Dean Tripp, Chelsea Elliott,
Chris Heysel, Kenneth Lockwood, Kathleen Merwin, Michael Nanos,
Queenâs SparQ Labs, Queen's Genetically Engineered Machine Team
Working at Science Quest for the past two
years has been one of the most rewarding
experiences of my life; frequently challenging,
but always worth it. When asked what I loved
most about my job last summer, I was often at
a loss to explain it properly. But in the end, it
comes down to knowing that the work we were
doing was important.
Even on the most frustrating days, I could
remind myself that I would not be here without
someone else having done for me what we
were trying to do for this summerâs campers
and workshop attendees.
When I was in grade 8, I had the opportunity
to participate in a weeklong computer science
"mini-course" offered at Carleton University.
Led by a female grad student, our all-girls
group delved into the logic of programming,
and the fun of computer game development.
I fell in love with what we did that week, and
was inspired to take computer science courses
inhighschool.Ultimatelythisleadmetopursue
Computer Engineering at Queenâs University
and become the Director of Science Quest.
When I see the girls in our Girls Quest Tech
Camp, programming robots and delving into
the guts of a computer, I canât help but think
that someday soon they might be in my shoes
â studying computer science or computer
engineering in university. I can only hope
they continue to be supported by the STEM
community along whatever path they choose.
Science Quest, and programs like us across the
country, are important because we provide
that support - to all youth. However, we can
only do so thanks to the generosity of the many
people and organizations who have supported
and continue to support Science Quest.
26 years ago, Science Quest was founded by
JenniferHoward-GrenvilleandMiyeKadonaga-
Cox. This summer, Jenniferâs daughter attended
a week of Science Camp. This fall, when Miya
returned for Homecoming, she visited the
session of Clubs that was running that day.
Both founders were impressed with Science
Quest's continued growth and expansion.
And we did have an exciting year in 2014, with
the launch of School Year Clubs transforming
us into a full year program. Another highlight
was the expansion of our satellite camp
program with the addition of a weeklong camp
in Trenton, for a combined total of 5 satellite
and Aboriginal Outreach camps.
I am so proud to have had the chance to
contribute to Science Questâs ongoing success
and give back to the same kind of program that
inspired me to pursue a STEM career. I look
forward to visiting Science Quest in 5, 10 or 25
years and seeing how far weâve come by then.
In the meantime, I owe thanks to my amazing
Assistant Directors, Ben and Mikhail, and Clubs
Coordinator, Katie, for all their hard work. We
were privileged to have an absolutely amazing
staff team, some of whom are returning for
another exciting summer. I wish them the best
of luck â I know they are in good hands with
my successor, Amanda Little.
Sincerely,
Morgan Williams
2014 Science Quest Director
4. looking back now, my most vivid memories
are not of struggles, but are instead filled with
grateful teachers, smiling parents, and kids ig-
nited with the fire of curiosity. I hope that I was
able to hold true to the values of Science Quest
and kindle that curiosity into future scientists
and engineers with a passion for their field.
As an organization that thrives on curiosity, in-
novation, and above all else fun, Science Quest
truly is extraordinary. Expressing my gratitude
to all those who contributed to my hiring as
an Assistant Director would take up far more
words than I am allotted, but know that I am
forever grateful to all of you.
This job pushed me beyond my boundaries
into leadership roles that I did not think were
within the realm of my character. Writing this
now I am a little nostalgic thinking about the
time I spent at Science Quest.
However, I know that this wonderful organi-
zation is in good hands moving forward and
the quest for science will continue for years to
come. I just hope we find it eventually!
Thanks for the memories,
Over the past year, I had the distinct pleasure
of working as the Assistant Director of Business
at Science Quest. Throughout my time I faced
a variety of obstacles, but was also presented
with many educational experiences.
To say that I learned a lot would be an under-
statement. Through customer service, staff and
financial management, I developed a number
of skills that will be of use to me in my working
life. Science Quest provided me with the op-
portunity to discover and advance these skills,
which would not have been possible at many
other organizations.
My time at Science Quest has shown me the im-
portance of our programs to the youth in our
area. I see children participating in hands-on
learning, asking questions about their world,
and sharing knowledge with their peers. By
engaging children in science, technology, engi-
neering and mathematics, we can breed an in-
terest in those subjects that lasts a lifetime.
It is my sincere belief that Science Quest pro-
vides a meaningful and essential service. When
I see all that our campers and students have
learned after their time with us, I see what a
difference we are making in their lives. It was
both an honour and a privilege to work with so
many smart and driven people to make these
experiences happen.
I want to sincerely thank all of you for what
you have given us over the past year. Your con-
tributions will fuel the continued growth and
success of Science Quest for years to come!
With warmest regards,
As I write these final thoughts about my tenure
at Science Quest, the summer weather has sad-
ly faded away and given rise to the harsh Cana-
dian winter. While those crisp summer days at
Science Quest have faded, the memories I made
and people I met are still very prevalent.
I am truly humbled to have had such an incred-
ible experience working alongside a cohesive
staff, knowledgeable Engineering Society Ex-
ecutive, and admirable Director team.
While one of the most rewarding, this sum-
mer was also one of the fastest that I had ever
experienced. The months flew by as each day
presented new challenges and learning experi-
ences.
Some challenges were overcome simply, such
as Mikhail fixing my excel files with a simple
shortcut or Morgan helping me discover more
efficient ways to use Outlook. Other challenges
truly tested my character.
There were days where â behind the scenes
â I was frustrated with myself, and felt like I
wasnât making a positive impact on the com-
munity we had been hired to serve. However,
Business Director Report
Outreach Director Report
Clubs Coordinator Report
Mikhail Hayhoe
2014 Science Quest Business Director
Ben Toffelmire
2014 Science Quest Outreach Director
Looking back over my year working for Science
Quest, I count myself incredibly lucky to have
been part of this program. My aim was always
to encourage a love of learning & science.
What every Science Quest instructor knows,
is that that there is nothing quite when a child
has a âeurekaâ moment and grasps a concept.
Clubs has been a way to reach beyond the sum-
mer programming and encourage continuous
scientific curiosity.
As the Clubs Coordinator, I also learned that
everything that can go wrong, will go wrong at
some point. Reflecting back on some of the cri-
ses I faced, I can only laugh about our misfor-
tune. All of these problems helped me develop
a resiliency in the face of trouble and taught me
about the value of being overly prepared.
I am so excited to watch the growth of Clubs in
the next few years. There is so much potential
for this program and I am eager to see it evolve
to be just as popular as camps.
I want to say a huge thank you to the Science
Quest community for helping me along the
way, none of this would have been possible
without your support and enthusiasm.
Cheers,
Katie Flynn
2014 Science Quest Clubs Coordinator
5. Our Story: 26 Years
Science Quest was founded in 1988 by two female engineering students to kindle interest in
science and engineering among elementary school students. In its first year, Science Quest
hosted 140 children over 7 weeklong sessions. Today, Science Quest is a year-round outreach
program reaching nearly 4000 youth in 2014. Our mission is to inspire youth to pursue a future
in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with dynamic, hands-on programming.
Science Quest instructors engage students through grade-specific curriculum-based science
workshops, and weeklong summer camps, such as Science Camp and Tech Camp. We invest in
women in STEM through our Girls Quest camps, and increase access to science programming
with satellite camps in nearby communities, including several for Aboriginal youth.
In 2014, Science Quest expanded to full year operations with the launch of Clubs during the
school year. Our two clubs, Synapse and Momentum, provide year-round hands-on science
and technology programming to youth in grades 4 to 6.
In 2014, Science Quest worked with 3245 youth in workshops, 673 in camp, and 55 in clubs.
We reached 87 girls in all-girls programming and 168 Aboriginal youth. In total, Science Quest
reached 3,937 youth across Ontario.
1988 Science Quest begins with seven weeks of camp for children in grades five to eight.
1989 Classroom workshops introduced. Camp capacity doubles and staff increases to seven.
1991 Science Quest hosts the first Science and Engineering Camp Conference (SECC) which
brings together many science camps from across Canada.
1994 First satellite camps a week-long outreach program is held in the Peterborough area.
2004 Science Quest programs move into the new Integrated Learning Centre, a larger and
more versatile space for the varied programs offered.
2012Workshops become grade specific and curriculum-based. New science/business camp,
Entrepreneurs in Science, is introduced. Over 5,500 youth were reached across Ontario.
2013 ECO Camp, Girlsâ Computer Camp and Science Camp in French are introduced.
Impact and Brainstorm overnight camps expand to include fourth sleepover night. Science
Quest celebrates its 25th Anniversary!
2014 School Year Clubs launches in the fall, reaching 55 kids on a long-term basis over the
school year. Over the summer, workshops and camps reached nearly 4000 kids. Girls Quest
Tech doubled in enrollment from 2013, and a new satellite camp in Trenton is launched.
Amanda Little |Instructor, Environmental Toxicology '16
Ben Toffelmire | Outreach Director, Biology '14
Brent Jackson | Instructor, Computer Engineering '16
Cameron Henry | Instructor, Life Sciences '17
Cole Johnston| Instructor, Life Sciences '15
Conor Blayney | Instructor, Mechanical Engineering '16
Dylan Hay | Instructor, Chemical Engineering '15
Emily Heffernan| Clubs Instructor, Electrical Engineering '17
Emily Townshend | Instructor, Computer Engineering '15
Erica Moran | Clubs Instructor, Chemical Engineering '17
Janeil Johnston | Instructor, Geological Engineering '15
Katie Flynn | Instructor, Biochemistry '16
Laura Sawula | Senior Instructor, Kinesiology â15
Mark Perera | Instructor, Mining Engineering '16
Mikhail Hayhoe | Business Director, Applied Mathematics and Engineering '15
Morgan Williams | Director, Computer Engineering â16
Natasha Mosdossy | Instructor, Education '15
Sandra Westcott | Instructor, Life Sciences â14
Scott Mitchell| Instructor, Chemical Engineering '17
Stephen Penstone | Special Needs Instructor, Engineering Chemistry '15
Zoe Traquair| Instructor, Civil Engineering '16
Our Team: 21 Undergraduate Students
%100STUDENT OWNED & OPERATED
Unique among camps of
its kind in Canada, Science
Quest is entirely driven by a
team of Queenâs University
undergraduate students.
Since its founding, Science
Quest has stayed true to the
vision of an entirely student
run initiative.
We pride ourselves on the
professional development of
our instructors, who receive
up to 3 weeks of training and
development.
6. Our Programs:
Pure Substances
and Mixtures
School Workshops
In May and June, Science Quest delivers
engaging, hands-on workshops in
classrooms across Ontario.
These 90-minute curriculum-based
workshops are designed to encourage
and inspire youth to pursue their
own passion in a Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics field.
Each workshop wraps up with a class
discussion about what engineers and
scientists do, STEM careers, and how
students can continue to explore science
and technology!
This year, instructors presented 172
workshops in schools across Ontario
and reached 3,344 youth in grades 3 to 8.
As part of our mandate to serve all
youth, Science Quest also partners
with underserved schools to provide
classroom workshops free of charge.
Light and Sound
Discovery By Design : Bridges
Electricity and
Electrical Devices
Forces Causing Movement
Properties of and
Changes in Matter
7 CURRICULUM-
LINKED TOPICSOur Partners:
Actua: A National Network
Engineering Society of Queen's University
Formed in 1897, the Engineering Society is one of the oldest representative bodies for
engineering students in Canada and continues to be a leader in student initiatives. With
2700 members currently on campus, 15,000 active alumni living throughout the world, and
an annual budget of $1.5 million, EngSoc oversees some forty-five student-run initiatives
ranging from design projects to services such as Science Quest to fun social events.
Fluids
Community Outreach Workshops
Science Quest is committed to reaching all youth, and we partner with community organizations
in order to expand our reach. Thanks to our generous sponsors and supporters, all of our
community outreach workshops are delivered at no cost to our partners or the participants.
Boys and Girls Clubs
Science Quest partnered with two Boys and Girls Club locations in Kingston to provide free
after-school workshops in May and June. In total our instructors made seven visits throughout
the season to bring a variety of activities to 145 youth.
Kingston Military Family Resource Centre
Science Quest offered 8 sessions of after-school programming at KMFRC this year, reaching 96
children of military families with a variety of hands-on STEM activities and games.
Calvin Park Public Library
For the second year, Science Quest visited the Calvin Park Public Library in order to deliver a
collaborative learning kids and parent based workshop!
Science Quest is proud to be one of the founding members of Actua. Actua provides training,
resources and support to its national network of members located at universities and colleges
across Canada in the delivery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
education outreach programming.
Actua has a solid history of success and 20 years of experience in helping young Canadians
developawareness,interestandskillsinscience,engineeringandtechnology.Actuaprovides
the infrastructure and resources to ensure quality and sustainability at the local level and
to promote synergy among the members â leveraging local innovation for national impact.
Each year these members engage over 225,000 youth in 500 communities nationwide.
Please visit Actua at www.actua.ca..
THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY
OF QUEENâS UNIVERSITY
As a service of the Engineering Society
of Queenâs University, Science Quest
is student run from top to bottom. The
Science Quest Director team works
within the portfolio of the Director
of Services and the Vice President of
Operations. They are also advised
by an Advisory Board consisting
of students, faculty and alumni.
7. Girls Quest Camps
Mindful of the barriers facing women in STEM, Science Quest offers all-girls camp programming in the form
of our Girls Quest and Girls Quest Tech Camps, as well as Brainstorm overnight camp. In 2014, Science Quest
ran 6 weeks of all-girls camps, reaching 83 girls in those programs.
Girls Quest
Girls Quest is all-girls science camp, designed to
encourage girls to consider a future in STEM in an
empowering all-female environment. This year Girls
Quest focused on science throughout the ages â with
projects that included building sun dials, aqueducts,
and seismographs.
Girls Quest Tech
Girls Quest Tech is a chance for girls to gain experience
and confidence working with programming and
technology, in an empowering all-female environment.
In its second year in 2014, Girls Quest Tech nearly
doubled the number of girls reached, with projects
includinggraphicdesignandaroboticsmazechallenge.
In July and August, Science Quest offers 9 weeks of camp to youth entering grades 4 through 9. For
each of our ten different camp programs, we provide engaging, hands-on STEM learning activities,
developed anew by each summerâs instructors.
In addition to our many Kingston camps, in 2014 Science Quest offered satellite camps in Perth,
Brockville and Trenton, as well as Aboriginal Outreach camps in Tyendinaga and Akwesasne. More
information on those camps can be found in our Outreach section.
Our Programs: Summer Camps
Thanks to the generous participation of Queenâs
University professors, graduate students and
researchers, Science Quest offers campers the
chance to tour campus labs and facilities and
learn about what itâs like to work as a scientist.
In 2014, we partnered with 14 mentors to provide
50 mentorship experiences to our campers. Topics
included Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery,
and Civil Engineering. This year, mentors also led
hands-on activities, including extracting DNA from
bananas, and computer science based magic tricks.
Science Quest is the proud recipient of the
2013 Actua National Mentorship award in
recognition of our exceptional mentorship program.
Leaders-In-Training
A dedicated team of high-school volunteers join our
camp groups each week. LITs receive training and
mentorship from our instructors while helping facilitate
and lead programs. Many LITs are former campers,
and some go on to be instructors at other Actua camps!
hours volunteered in 2014.
Standard Camps
Science Camp
Campers participated in activities to learn about biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and so much
more! This year, Science Camp A talked about the science of surviving on a deserted island, including
mapping and navigation, building generators, water filtration systems, and Rube Goldberg pet traps.
Science Camp B focused on exploring the ways various careers use science â including astronauts,
doctors, police officers and engineers! Projects included a chemistry mystery, learning about casting
broken bones, and building Ferris Wheels and Water Parks.
Tech Camp
Campers focus on technology, computer skills and robotics in this camp. This year, campers had the
opportunity to work with brand-new Lego EV3 Robots, create their own fonts and cursors, make 3D
glasses and images, and produce stop-motion animation movies. Campers also learned about healthy
computer use habits, and the inner workings of computers.
Specialty Camps
Entrepreneurs in Science
EIS combines STEM programming with business and innovation in a weeklong entrepreneurial project;
this year, campers founded Cruise Lines! After pitching their ideas, marketing their new company, and
building their cruise ships, the week ended with a final float test of the boatâs engineering and strength.
Impact and Brainstorm
These weeklong overnight science camps invite campers in grades 6-8 to stay four nights in residence
at Queenâs University. Campers participate in hands-on STEM programming while making friends
and participating in an educationally immersive fun-filled week! This year, campers built and tested
boats in the Queenâs Centre pool, and visited Fort Henry to learn about historical science.
Eco Camp
This camp focused on the environment and sustainability in science, engineering and technology.
Projects included designing a city to survive natural disasters, and testing air quality on campus.
Campers learned about genetic engineering, greenhouse gases, evolution and the food chain.
French Camp
French Camp is a a week of Science Camp offered by bilingual instructors.
50 MENTORSHIPS
1800+
9. Bursaries
Financial Summary
63%
7%
30%
72%
23%
5%
Revenue Expenses
Sponsorship
and Actua
Wage Subsidies
Registration
Fees
Administration
Program
Delivery
Salaries
$13,000
CAMP BURSARIES
Science Questâs mission is to serve all youth, regardless of their familyâs circumstances.
With support from our generous sponsors, we were able to grant over $13 000
in camp bursaries in 2014, the equivalent of more than 60 full weeks of camp!
Science Quest grants partial bursaries on a sliding scale basis to maximize the
number of youth able to participate in camps. We also work closely with Big Brothers
Big Sisters Kingston and the Family and Children's Services of Frontenac, Lennox
and Addington to provide at-risk youth with a fully subsidized camp experience.
Photo: Greg Black, Queen's University
Impact and Evaluation
Science Quest's goal is to inspire youth to pursue further education and careers in a science-
related field, and we strive to have the best programs possible. Each year, we receive feedback
from surveys completed by teachers after workshops, campers at the end of each week and
parents at the end of the summer. We use this feedback to shape and improve our programs.
After every Science Quest workshop, we asked teachers to rank the workshop content and
delivery on a scale from 1 (below expectations) to 5 (excellent). Our team received an average
rating of 4.77 in our 2014 spring workshop season.
4.77 WORKSHOP RATING OUT OF 5
When Science Quest campers were surveyed this year:
72%were more interested in science and engineering
62%were more interested in taking science and engineering in school
58%were more interested in working in science and engineering
At Camp I learned...
Computer science isn't as hard as it looks
Jobs like police officers do scienceAbout the business behind engineering
Itâs better to make a plan before you build
"The presenters were well prepared and did an amazing job engaging all students"
- Workshop Teacher
"My daughter had a fantastic week; the camp has helped develop her interest in science.
She is already signed up for the school club on Saturdays." - Science Camp Parent
"The best part of camp was solving crimes and making casts.
I hope Science Quest comes again."- Tyendinaga Camper
In their own words...
10. Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Chemistry Department of Physics
3M Canada
E
NGINEERING SOCIE
TY
QUEENâS UNIVERSITY
Kingston Area Recycling Centre
Campus Computer Sales and Service
Thank you to all who have been
involved with Science Quest over the
past 25 years. It is with the support,
effort and ideas of every one of these
people that Science Quest continues to
grow and offer successful programs.
A special thank you goes out to our
sponsors and supporters, without
whom our programs would not be
as successful and wide-reaching as
they are. We look forward to many
years of continued partnership!
Photo: Greg Black, Queen's University
2014 Science Quest Supporters
The Science Quest '88 Staff, including founders
Jennifer Howard-Grenville and Miye Kadonaga-Cox.
2014 Actua Ontario Funders
2014 Actua National Funders
Kumon Math & Reading Centre of Kingston West
Aboriginal Access to Engineering at Queen's University
3M
Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science Campus Computer Sales and Service
Department of Physics Kingston Area Recycling Centre
11. Science Quest
The Engineering Society
Beamish-Munro Hall, Queen's University
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 3N6
(613) 533 - 6870
info@sciencequest.ca
Inspiring Youth Since 1988
@ScienceQuestQ /ScienceQuest
www.sciencequest.ca
Actua provides training, resources and support to its national network of members located at universities and colleges across
Canada in the delivery of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education outreach programming. Each
year, these members engage over 225,000 youth in 500 communities nationwide. Please visit Actua at www.actua.ca.