Planning to "Build Big" During
National Science & Technology Week

Planning is underway for this year's National Science and Technology Week, running Oct. 16-25. The ten-day event is an opportunity for APEGGA members across the province to encourage students in science, and inform the public about the contributions made to society by the engineering and geoscience professions.

As in previous years, the Association is organizing and sponsoring a series of events. Students throughout the province will complete a hands-on challenge based on building structures. The Paper Chair event asks elementary school kids to construct the strongest chair possible using newspaper and masking tape. Students from grades 7 through 12 will compete in the Pinocchio Nose Building contest where they must build the longest free-hanging nose extending from the face, using only newspaper, masking tape and string.

The Rock and Fossil Clinic takes place on Saturday Oct. 24 at the Provincial Museum of Alberta (12845 - 102 Ave, Edmonton - 11 a.m.,4 p.m.)

In its sixth year, this free event is rockin' fun. Kids and adults are invited to bring in their found objects for identification by university geology students, professional geologists and museum curatorial staff.

Back by popular demand is Mall Science. Kids and parents can shop and learn at various shopping centres in Edmonton, St. Albert and Calgary. There will be lots of fun hands-on science activities for elementary and junior high students. Check out the following at the times and locations indicated:

Edmonton
Monday, Oct. 19 - Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre, 4 - 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 - West Edmonton Mall, 4 - 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 21 - Kingsway Garden Mall, 4 - 8 p.m.

St. Albert
Friday, Oct. 23 at St. Albert Centre, 4 - 8 p.m.

Calgary
Saturday, Oct. 24 at Northlands Village Mall, mall hours.

Excellence in Education, an annual event recognizing recipients of APEGGA awards and scholarships in Alberta, will be held on Oct. 28 in Calgary at the Palliser Hotel and Oct. 29 at the Faculty Club, University of Alberta, in Edmonton.

APEGGA branches are encouraged to host an event in their community. Members can also play a role in the success of National Science and Technology Week. Build an opportunity - host an open house, volunteer a couple of hours in a local classroom, or drop by any of the public events being planned during the ten-day stint. Look for a calendar of events coming soon to the APEGGA Mega-Page (http://www.apegga.org/science).

To find out how you can get involved, contact APEGGA's Public Affairs Officers, Marissa Lee at (780) 426-3990 or 1-800-661-7020, or Tracey Horne-Pettipas at (403) 262-7714, E-Mail: email@apegga.org