DRDC Atlantic Gives Students Chance to Explore Science

28 Apr 2006

The students look into the testing tank as Nancy Hervé explains how the tank is used to calibrate hydrophones.

A school field trip to DRDC Atlantic gave a group of girls from the Annapolis Valley the chance to explore the career possibilities for women in the field of science and technology.

It was not your run-of-the-mill tour for the six grade nine girls and their two teachers, who visited the DRDC research facility on 24 March. After a welcome from Ross Graham, Director General of DRDC Atlantic, the girls were treated to slide shows of places across the globe where DRDC scientists have traveled, saw the effects of a compression tank, learned how etchings in metal are created and took a harbour boat ride to an Acoustic Calibration Barge.

The visit was arranged through Techsploration, a joint initiative between Nova Scotian businesses and educational institutions. The purpose of the non-profit organization is to increase the number of women working in science, trades, technical and technology related occupations by exposing young women to wide range of career options in these fields. The program aims to ensure that young people continue their studies in math and science while in high school so that they do not eliminate opportunities before they even know what careers exist. There are currently 17 schools involved in the program and another six schools are set to join next year.

Nancy Hervé, a Machinist at DRDC Atlantic, was the primary reason the girls came to DRDC. Ms. Hervé was chosen as a role model because of her career genre and its historical importance. She is one of only 12 women in Nova Scotia to ever receive their Journeyman papers as a machinist.

Arylene Reycraft, the project manager for Techsploration, approached Ms. Hervé about becoming a role model after meeting her last year. "I not only found her and her job interesting, but she was very approachable and genuinely interested in helping other people," Ms. Reycraft said. "These are key characteristics for our role models."

By visiting DRDC, the girls got a chance to see first hand the kind of work that women can do in a government or scientific setting. The girls were introduced to women of all ages in non-traditional roles such as: engineers, mechanics, scientists and Lieutenants. Throughout it all, the girls discovered the importance of maintaining skills in math and sciences.

For more information on the Techsploration program, visit their website at www.techsploration.ca