U of A Scientist Visits RL Angus Elementary School Matthew Gilbert, a visiting Arctic Biologist from the University of Alberta came to R.L. Angus school to present his research to the grade 7 students.
ORIENTATION THE UNIVERSITY of ALBERTA LAB
(Part 1)
On Thursday, January 16th we took a VIRTUAL TOUR (over the internet), of the LAB IN THE Biological Sciences Building where he works. We took photos while we connected through Face-Time during our ECP Class in Fort Nelson, BC.
RESEARCH AT A DISTANCE PART 2
We had a lot of Questions to ask Matthew. Here is just one of many…
Could we come to Edmonton and visit you at the U of A? We would love to work with you in your lab. (Just kidding but we would like to see it in real life as well!)
ANSWER: Because of safety concerns for students and the animals, students rarely get actually enter the lab until they get into university, and even then they have to take special training courses. As a matter of fact, you are the first elementary students to ever see our lab and be involved in experiments!
RESEARCH AT A DISTANCE
PART 3
We reviewed the purpose of each swim tunnel before connecting up with Matt. The Behavioural Swim Tunnel is where 24 hour studies are conducted while the environment is made to simulate an actual day in the Arctic (Nunavut). The fish is made to experience elevated temperatures that it would in the arctic due to climate change. The Performance Swim Tunnel is where the fish’s swimming ability is tested after it has been in warmer water (21˚ C). The purpose of the study is to determine the effects on the arctic char population due to climate change.

Using a “Face-Time” connection and software allowing for remote access students controlled the velocity of the water in the swim tunnel.
This was a real, exciting experience using a “Face-Time” connection because we actually got to participate in the experiment. Sam, remotely, turned on the motor and set the velocity of water flow to 10cm/sec. Next Jordan was asked to set the ramp speed at 10 cm/sec. This meant that every 10 minutes or interval the speed would increase by 10 cm/sec. After the fish fatigued, the test would be stopped and the fish would undergo dissection.
RESEARCH AT A DISTANCE PART 4 (FISH DISSECTION)
Once the Performance Swim Tunnel Test was completed. The fish was dissected for further investigation. Grade 5, 6 and 7 ECP students were invited to go upstairs and watch the dissection process. This was a lunch time learning activity that only interested students attended. We were surprised that, although the fish had beed euthanized and was brain dead, the fish heart was still beating when it was removed.