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MEDALS AND SUCCESS This array of APEGA Science Olympics medals symbolizes success. Starting next year, the medals will be awarded in a threshold-based system.
In 2016, APEGA is going to open the door for Science Olympics teams to work with engineering or geoscience mentors on their take-home projects. This will allow students to ask questions and better understand how to tackle the challenges in front of them. Mentors won’t be there to complete projects for students but to guide them as they wrestle with the different ways to approach an issue, working together as a team and taking advantage of the unique perspective everybody brings to the table. APEGA is employing a similar strategy in post-secondary outreach. In the past, we have organized events for students that promote networking, soft skills building, and more. This year, APEGA has assembled teams of enthusiastic undergrads and graduates to work together. These partici- pants will work collaboratively to develop programs and organize outreach initiatives that benefit students and get them engaged with the professions. In the same spirit as the APEGA Science Olympics, we’re using teamwork to create practical events that help students transition into the workforce.
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
The APEGA Science Olympics and student liaison groups are only part of the work APEGA does every year to promote engineering and geoscience to students across Alberta. Over the past decade, APEGA Outreach has connected with hundreds of thousands of students all over the province. But our work isn’t done. Many of the challenges our country and world will face in the next 20 to 50 years are ones that can only be taken on by creative, intelligent men and women with the right skills and innovative mindsets. Some of those individuals are in elementary, junior high, or senior high school right now. They’ll be building a better future in a decade or two, and we want to make sure they know that.
the ingenuity of the other projects on display from schools throughout their regions. Here’s how it will work. In 2016, we will be implementing a new, threshold-based system of determining gold, silver, and bronze achievement. Similar to the grading that takes place in most schools, students who achieve a certain score or higher will receive gold medals. Lower ranges will apply for silver and bronze medals. We’re also building mentorship into the APEGA Science Olympics. In years
past, each team of five students would be monitored by a sponsoring teacher at their school. Outside help for take-home projects was discouraged, however, at the risk of creating unfair advantages. This was helpful in ensuring a fair, competitive environment, but it wasn’t helpful in: • teaching students about using the knowledge of others to expand their own • developing and testing a hypothesis • giving students exposure to the processes professionals go through when tackling challenges
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