Kids recently got to explore science at West Fraser Timber Park.
Various community organizations were set up near the duck pond on Tuesday, July 19, offering fun activities such as fizzing baking soda paint art and pond dipping.
Delaine Hilts with the Quesnel Tillicum Society Native Friendship Centre said community inclusion and being creative and messy outside with science are important to her.
“Especially after everything we’ve gone through with COVID, I just wanted to get kids and have fun, and get them learning but enjoy doing it,” Hilts said.
“My biggest thing that I stand for is I want kids to be able to be kids. I want kids to be able to have fun and not have a care in the world, so I’m very excited about this.”
Combining science and art was the Quesnel and District Child Development Centre (QDCDC), that had a table set up with paints mixed with baking soda.
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After kids completed their painting, it was lightly sprayed with vinegar creating a fizzing chemical reaction on paper.
“I love being able to see kids and their families. There are certain kids I haven’t seen in a while, so it’s awesome to see them grow and everybody coming together—it’s great,” said Nicole Jorquera with the QDCDC.
“I’ve seen many of their expressions, and they just say Woah, it’s so cool.”
From Wells was Island Mountain Arts (IMA), that has been working with the Wells Barkerville Community Forest on a program called Art + The Forest, which blends scientific and environmental learning with art-based learning.
“This has been great for us not just to meet the families but also other organizations that care about kids and youth education and youth engagement in different things, particularly art and the environment,” said IMA executive and artists director Elyssia Sasaki.
Sasaki thanked the Quesnel Tillicum Society Native Friendship Centre for putting out the invitations to the community and thinking of Wells.
Also on hand was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Quesnel with a mini goat and rabbits. West Fraser provided tree seedlings and the Quesnel and District Museum and Archives with a game on the life cycle of salmon.
Free pizza from Panago was available.
Another community science day at West Fraser Timber Park will take place on Thursday, August 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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