I first started teaching science in my mother’s sixth grade class. I would visit and share what I was learning at school in CEGEP or university. This grew into a ‘science animator’ position at the school board. I would regularly visit classrooms to teach about human biology, animal diversity, chemical reactions, electricity and magnetism, and much more. I also organized several larger school-wide science modules and field trips. This experience showed me the value in engaging the community in science and I became involved in many science outreach initiatives and activities throughout my undergrad and graduate degrees.
I continue to participate in community science outreach work as I believe it is crucial to engaging young people in science and to creating the scientifically literate society that is necessary in today’s world. I participate in Let’s Talk Science, coordinate visits for summer science camps, present interactive workshops at 4H-Club leadership conventions, and give public lectures.
Educational Programming
I strongly believe in the importance of building a firm foundation and interest in science at a young age. I have volunteered as a science animator and educator for over 15 years with the Lester B. Pearson School Board and more recently with Let’s Talk Science. My goal is to engage and educate students about science in a hands on, exciting, and fun way. I want to share my passion and enthusiasm for science with them and hopefully inspire them to pursue science in the future.
Click below to read an article about human circadian rhythms that I wrote for CurioCity in 2013.
Community Engagement
The past 2 years I have presented workshops at the Atlantic Canada 4-H leadership Development Conference. This year I was happy to accept an invitation to join the organizing committee for the 2020 conference which has as its theme Environment and Healthy Living.
Throughout the year I coordinate and organize various types of visits to the Biology department at St.FX University:
- African Nova Scotian and Indigenous Nova Scotian Health Sciences Mini-University
- StFX Summer X-Scitement Science Camp
- Town of Antigonish Summer Camp
- School Visits
I participate in community events that get students engaged and excited about science:
- Chignecto West Regional Science Fair (StFX Faculty of Science Representative)
- World Oceans Day
I also give public lectures to communicate science to a broader, general audience:
- What’s the buzz? The importance of insects. (Feb. 2020) The StFX Continuing and Distance Education Adult 55+ Mini-Lecture Series, Antigonish, NS.
- The Times of Our Lives: Biological Clocks and Health. (March 2019) The StFX Continuing and Distance Education Adult 55+ Mini-Lecture Series, Antigonish, NS. (Filmed for Eastlink Community TV Antigonish; airing summer 2019)
- How to: Biology. (April 2017) Strait Regional NSSSA Student Leadership Conference, Antigonish, NS.
