A Calgary Teacher is working to bridge the gap between science and entertainment.

Bruce Callow took in the festivities July 26th and 27th at "Vul-Con" armed with a book he'd written about a dozen Costa Rican scientists who work for NASA.

The idea is to show how people from non-traditional backgrounds can find careers in science and technology.

Callow has been spending time encouraging native youth to enroll in STEM programs through camps at the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory near Millarville.

Callow says he's gaining traction in native communities around Southern Alberta.

"I didn't expect to be reaching out with the book that much up here. But I ended up doing workshops out in Morley and other first nations communities, even at an indigenous robotics Pow-Wow. I didn't even know such things existed. And then last weekend, introducing the book to some extraterrestrials in Vulcan."

Callow spent some time helping out at a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) camp this summer for indigenous youth at the Rothney Observatory in Millarville.

"I had the privilege to help out a little bit with some indigenous youth at a STEM camp. I got to meet Rob Cardinal, an amazing astronomer from the Siksika Nation. And at that place (Rothney Observatory), he's discovered two comets, among many other things that they've done over the years."

"You haven't experienced Shakespeare until you've read it in the original Klingon!" The same might be said for Bruce Callow's new book as well, which he says comes in a Spanish only version and another bilingual version in Spanish and English.

Callow says he went to "Vul-Con" because there's a link between entertainment and careers in science.

"The people that are in Vulcan at these types of conventions. They're so passionate. They have an important role to play as a bridge between the sort of fantasy and entertainment world and the real world of science."

He says many scientists have cited "Star Trek" and other science fiction shows as their inspiration for getting into the fields of science and technology.

 

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