Science and Citizenship 11

In Science and Citizenship 11 Martin will tackle deep questions about the nature of science itself and how society engages with it. This is a brand new science course in the B.C. curriculum for students who have had an introduction to the various branches of science in Science 10. Students will explore the history of science, the fascinating and at times concerning changes that can occur in people’s (mis)trust of science, and how when science finds an answer it also often leads to more questions. Topics explored will be: Can science improve my health? Can science improve a community’s health? Does science have ‘blind spots’? And, How can science help us curb the effects of climate change? This course will be unlike any science course a student has previously taken, and will prepare them both for life as an informed citizen and a potential future career as a scientist.

Your Educator – Martin Derige

Martin hails from the icy, sunshiny land of Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he obtained a degree in Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba. He has worked with students of all ages, from playing dodge ball in school gyms to peer tutoring sleep-deprived engineers. He teaches math, science, and chemistry, and lives for that ‘Aha! Eureka!’ moment when the kids just get it. Martin has a healthy sense of curiosity and compassion about the world and is always seeking to connect with the cool people who are part of it, like his family and friends – and the staff and students at Brain Boost! He exercises his brain with music, gaming, visual art, design, and puzzles of all types, and exercises his body through adventures like climbing, running in the woods, and day-long hikes in the mountains. He can often be found eating spaghetti.