'STEM Olympics' at Science Village Timmins tests students on the spot

All this week, Science Timmins has been hosting 'STEM Olympics,' an opportunity for students to challenge themselves with science, technology, engineering and mathematics problems.

“It gives them a chance to put their problem-solving skills to the test in not a traditional school setting," said Neil Siblall, a science communicator with Science Timmins.

“It also forces them to work within a team and collaborate together so they can come up with their final answer or whatever the challenge is asking them to do.”

They were not told in advance what the challenges were, in an effort to keep the experience as real and fun as possible.

"Science, it should not always be theory," said Eric Letourneau, a science teacher at ecole secondaire catholique Theriault.

"Like, it’s a nice thing to teach but when they actually do stuff and when they solve real problems, it’s different skills and it’s very much a part of being a scientist.”

Some of the scenarios included building a replica of a stratospheric balloon, building a bridge out of toothpicks to support pennies, and figuring out their age in seconds.

“Lots of problem-solving skills," said Jake Millions.

"(It's) really fun working with people you don’t normally work with and it’s a great experience.”

The Science Village said the Stem Olympics is just the start of more events on the way, including robotics, a STEM Club and a science fair.