Kids were able to try out science experiments like the Mentos and Diet Coke challenge at the Praxis 30th Anniversary celebration / Photo: Meghan Cobb

By Meghan Cobb

Praxis celebrates 30 years of science outreach in southeastern Alberta

Jun 19, 2022 | 9:51 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Board members, volunteers and Hatters of all ages gathered on Saturday to celebrate 30 years of science outreach in southeastern Alberta.

Praxis is a non-profit organization based in Medicine Hat that aims to inspire and develop an interest in science in children that will continue throughout their lives.

“We all need that understanding of science,” says Patty Rocks, Senior Scientific Consultant for Praxis. “If you woke up this morning that involved science, so that’s what we’re here to do.”

The organization works with schools to provide volunteers, hands-on learning kits and programs like Operation Minerva and Operation Toth to enhance the science curriculum.

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“All those curriculum specific materials,” says Rocks. “We have them and could lend to your classroom so those kids don’t just have to learn from a book.”

Liam McFarlane has been volunteering at Praxis since he was a child. His parents were part of the team that started the organization and passed on a love of educating to him.

“Transferring that scientific question and thought into something that maybe interests other people,” McFarlane says is his motivation to keep volunteering. “Getting them to ask further questions.”

He adds working with kids at a young age is presents a unique opportunity.

“To inspire them,” says McFarlane. “To give them a sense that, you know, they don’t know what’s out there… the community has a lot of experts that want to come and share information.”

Volunteers create activities and demonstrations in their field of expertise hoping it will spark an interest in children.

On the weekend, kids were treated to demonstrations of elephant toothpaste, the diet coke and mentos challenge, and McFarlane’s table where they learned about sound.

“I like this table because I have a background in neuropsychology,” says McFarlane. “But I also have hearing problems. So, it’s hugely interesting to me to actually to know’s going on.”

The elephant toothpaste demonstration showed kids chemistry in action and gave them a first-hand look at exothermic reactions and what happens when hydrogen peroxide mixes with dish soap and water.

“I liked the elephant toothpaste,” says seven-year-old Hunter Stroud. “It was cool and it felt cool and it was itchy and stuff.”

The exploding foam was also popular with four-year-old Seth Cornet.

“I liked that foam thing that got all foamy,” says Cornet who says it was his first introduction to science experiments. “I never did science before.”

12-year-old Evalee Rogers says she enjoys science at school and hands-on activities allow her to experiment.

“I like making different things,” says Rogers. “I like how you can create different things if you put different things together.”

Praxis is funded through grants, government funding but Rooks says some of those programs have ended. In honour of the organization’s 30th anniversary, Praxis is launching a legacy fund administered through the Community Foundation of Southern Alberta.

“This is a way to ensure Praxis will have a presence in the community for the next 30 years,” says Rooks.

Rooks says the fund will continue to enable science outreach and programs that inspire students to explore science based careers.

“Those stories are so warming and show us that what we’re doing in this community is making a difference.”