Outreach and Volunteerism
The Diversity of Nature Program
As a direct response to inequality and a lack of representation in STEM, my colleague Suchinta Arif and I are spearheading the Diversity of Nature program.
Our program has two parts: a four-day overnight Field Expedition, where 15 Black, Indigenous, and Person of Colour students will get hands on experience in the field, learning cutting-edge ecological methods. The second part is an on-going Community Workshop series, delivered entirely by Black, Indigenous, and Person of Colour graduate students.
The aim of our program is to increase STEM (and Art!) education for Black, Indigenous, and Person of Colour Students, while simultaneously allowing them to see their diversity reflected in educational leadership roles. Additionally, BIPOC Graduate Students can gain valuable teaching and outreach experience.
We are currently collaborating with major Canadian organizations, including Dalhousie University, Imhotep's Legacy Academy, and MEOPAR.
Media Coverage
Dalhousie Gazette Interview
"Dal grad students lauch secondary program to provide ecology field experience."
Thank you Lane Harrison for your great article.
The Coast Interview
Diversity of Nature was featured in the Coast, Halifax's local Newspaper, in an article by Caora McKenna!
CBC Information Morning
"A Dalhousie group offers free ecology summer camps for BIPOC students. We hear how it helps racialized kids get into science."
WISEAtlantic
2018 - 2019
I volunteer as a Youth Mentor with WISEAtlantic (Women in Science and Engineering Atlantic) for events such as STEMFest and Science Literacy Week in Halifax.
Canadian Association for Girls in Science
2016-2018
Workshop
I created and led a film screening for Director and Producer Scott Dobson’s film “Fix and Release” with the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS). We started with a talk by Scott himself, and then finished with a Q&A session from Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre’s Donnell Gasbarrini on turtle research, finding your path in science, and veterinary science.
Oct 28 2017.
Workshop
I organized a Scientific Illustration workshop at the Royal Ontario Museum with Ph. D. student Viviana Astudillo-Clavijo. We brought specimens out for the girls to draw, and they learned about scientific observation.
May 27 2017
Activity
As part of Science Literacy Week, CAGIS organized a NASA space parachute activity for kids at the Toronto Public Library!
April 29 2017
We organized a LEGO kinetics workshop with CAGIS, where girls learned about motion and acceleration by launching LEGO vehicles down a ramp. Check out this video of our wipe out!
Nov 28 2017
School Outreach, Public Lectures
School Lecture
I gave a talk on one of my side interests, the evolution of theropod dinosaurs into birds, at the K-Pg boundary.
Feb 2015