High-tech ice cream, robot races and blood type analysis were among the more than two dozen activities young scientists explored this week during Brock University’s 33rd annual Scientifically Yours conference.

Hosted by Brock’s Faculty of Mathematics and Science, the event was created to encourage young people to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Co-organizer Christene Carpenter-Cleland, Senior Laboratory Demonstrator with Brock’s Biological Sciences Department, says Scientifically Yours provides hands-on labs and mentorship experiences that help to increase the confidence of high school students, encouraging them to continue their education and work towards careers in STEM fields.

“More interest in STEM careers is needed to bring advancement to meet changing societal needs,” she says.

As part of the conference, held Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12, each student participated in six STEM projects in fields ranging from biology and health sciences to engineering and physics. Students also took part in recreational activities, networked with professional scientists at a mentors’ dinner and attended a panel discussion to learn from current Brock students and professionals who have careers in the sciences, including medicine, university research and industry.

Students also got to experience a taste of university life by sleeping on campus in residence dorm rooms and eating at Brock’s dining halls.

This year’s Scientifically Yours conference attracted more than 100 Grade 10 and 11 students from 27 schools across the province — the most students the conference has seen since its inception. Over the past three decades, it’s estimated that more than 1,700 high school students have participated.