Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets Annaelle, age 11, who demonstrates her Chaud-pelle (hot shovel) invention. Photo: courtesy Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
In partnership with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has launched the next edition of Little Inventors: Inventions for Space. This is a Canada-wide initiative that challenges children to devise ingenious ideas that could be developed into an invention to make life in space easier and more fun.
The best inventions will be turned into prototypes and showcased in a special exhibition as part of Science Literacy Week in September 2018.
The most imaginative and innovative inventions could make an appearance in space with Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques when he travels to the International Space Station in November of 2018.
Since its inauguration in 2015 in the U.K., the Little Inventors project has inspired children all around the world and sparked their imaginations and use of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) knowledge.
In 2016, NSERC partnered with Little Inventors for the first Canadian experience. It was a hit with children and teachers alike: more than 500 designs were submitted, 18 of which were brought to life and exhibited coast to coast, including their current location at the Ontario Science Centre. Two Little Inventors even met the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, at a special science fair!
Little Inventors: Inventions for Space is open to all students across Canada up to 15 years of age. Canadian schools and teachers are encouraged to lead the development of ideas in their classrooms and lead their students through the challenge. Fun and interactive lesson plans and workshop materials are available online for all interested schools and parents.
The deadline to participate in this space challenge is midnight Friday, April 13, 2018.
If you are a teacher or interested in exploring the theme of space with Little Inventors, visit nserc.littleinventors.org for additional information on how to participate, or send your questions to littleinventors@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
