Some tiny hands are busy this fall at U of G’s Guelph Centre for Urban Organic Farming (GCUOF). With help from students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM), a Grade 4 class from nearby Jean Little Elementary School is learning about sustainability, where food comes from and how to prepare it once it’s grown. It’s all part of a new program called Garden2Table.
The program is based on an international movement to bring the basics of agriculture and cooking into the elementary school curriculum, while giving back to the community, says Teressa Thorpe, a fourth- year HTM student and president of the HTM Student Association. The association initiated the program after hearing about it from HTM professor Bruce McAdams, and has been working closely with the GCUOF to lead lessons in organic agriculture.
Continue reading ‘HTM students teach kids about gardening, healthy eating’
A reminder that members of the University community are invited to nominate their favourite professor for the 2010 TVO’s Big Ideas Best Lecturer Competition. Deadline is Oct. 12, 2009.
The competition celebrates the most engaging lecturers at Ontario’s universities and colleges and recognizes those whose love of learning has helped to stimulate imaginations, open eyes and push boundaries. The winning school is awarded a $10,000 TD Insurance Meloche Monnex scholarship.
Continue reading ‘Best lecturer nominations still being accepted’
Back-to-school means back to business for two off-campus organization that enlists University of Guelph students, faculty and staff to deliver science outreach programs for children.
A recently restored Guelph branch of Let’s Talk Science (LTS) - a national organization based in London - hopes this year to double the number of U of G graduate student volunteers offering science activities to children and youth.
This year also saw the opening of a local office of Scientists in School (SIS), a 20-year-old province-wide program that now sees several U of G members helping to deliver science activities to elementary classrooms.
Continue reading ‘U of G scientists reaching out to kids’
Even students pursuing advanced degrees in science could brush up on their knowledge of evolution, according to a new study by University of Guelph researchers.
The finding reveals that there is room for improvement in how evolution is taught from elementary school up, said Ryan Gregory, a professor in Guelph’s Department of Integrative Biology, who conducted the research with former student Cameron Ellis.
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When it comes to higher education, mid-teen girls set their sights higher than boys do — helping to explain the so-called “gender gap” favouring women over men enrolled at Canadian universities in the past two decades, according to a new study by U of G economists.
The study says girls at 15 have higher aspirations for post-secondary education than boys do and are more likely to raise those goals even higher by age 17, a key factor in a recent dramatic increase in women attending universities in Canada and other western countries.
Continue reading ‘Girls aim higher than boys in school’
Michael Zwaagstra, National Post
Published: Friday, September 25, 2009
With orientation sessions over and several weeks of classes under their belts, first-year university students are realizing they face a challenging academic year. Unfortunately, several recent studies have revealed what many of us already know: Too many high school graduates are unprepared for university.
Using data from Statistics Canada, the Persistence in Post-Secondary Education in Canada report found about 14% of university students drop out in their first year. Reasons cited for quitting include failure to meet deadlines, poor academic performance and inadequate study habits.
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Issues such as climate change, poverty and community engagement will be on the minds of nearly 200 students as they meet at the University of Guelph today through Sunday for Impact! The Co-operators Youth Conference for Sustainability Leadership.
The goal is to give students a unique learning experience and an opportunity to network with experts and like-minded youth from across the country, said Rumina Dhalla, a U of G business professor and member of the conference organizing committee.
“We really want to influence students to become leaders in sustainability for tomorrow. We want to excite them, empower them and equip them to go out and make change.”
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