This past summer, NB Power (www.nbpower.com) sponsored three science camps through Elephant Thoughts, an organization which promotes hands-on, minds-on learning for students throughout Canada in Indigenous Communities and abroad. During the week-long camps at Kingsclear, Tobique and Elsipogtog First Nations, students from grades one to eight had the opportunity to learn about electricity, safety and energy conservation in a hands-on, fun and inspirational way while connecting to their Mi’kmaq and Maliseet culture.

“Elephant Thoughts provided an excellent opportunity for students who may live near some of our facilities, with fun, interesting and engaging ways to learn more about how electricity is produced, what type of careers are out there in the energy sector and how electricity is such a major part of our daily lives,  said Andrea Allen, NB Power. “We are proud to have been able to partner with Elephant Thoughts and look forward to working with them again in the future to help encourage young people to learn more about science and electricity in such an engaging way.”

Camp objectives were to inspire interest in math, science, engineering and technology literacy, learn how electricity is generated, transmitted and distributed, energy conservation and the importance of safety when working or playing around electricity. Local elders were incorporated wherever possible to introduce and further educate the campers in traditional ways.

The camps tooks place in July and August, 2015:
• Kingsclear First Nation , Wulastukw Elementary School;
• Tobique First Nation, Camp Wolastoq inquiries@campwolastoq.com; and
• Elsipogtog First Nation, Nogemag Healing Lodge Farm.

For further information on Elephant Thoughts camps, in-school education programs and how to get involved, please visit www.elephantthoughts.com.