10 Jul 2019
#STEM4Every1, Blog, Space, STEM Spark, Summer Camps

#STEM Summer Camps: Why We Do It!

A short message from our founder and CEO Doina: I remember back when hEr VOLUTION was young organization, I saw a quote that got stuck in mind:” What if the cure to cancer was stuck in someone’s mind who couldn’t afford an education?” What if you can be that catalyst for change and help create access to brilliant minds who will, in turn, change the world?! What if? This is why we need you! Together we can be the change we wish to see in the world!



This week we would like to introduce another one of our amazing team members: Bhairavi Shankar

Bhairavi is a planetary scientist and founder of Indus Space! She became involved with hEr VOLUTION because she believes in the organization’s mission in providing opportunities for youth especially girls to engage and learn about STEM careers.

Bhairavi’s role in our 2019 summer programs is the creation, development, and facilitation of the Space themed STEM Camp.

When asked, “What should people expect from the STEM camps?” she responded: A fun and engaging way to learn common space-themed topics through hands-on activities. Youth will also get to meet professionals from the space community during the week.

To connect with Bhairavi and learn more about her journey you can follow her or reach her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, visit her website here or simply register for the All About Space Camp here 

04 Feb 2019
#STEM4Every1, Blog, Engineering, Girls in STEM, Math, Mathematics, Media, Science, Space, STEM Spark, Success, Technology

The Passion Project: hEr VOLUTION | Doina Oncel Part 2

This post was originally posted on The Passion Project on February 4, 2019. Please see the original story here.

 

“What if the cure to cancer was stuck in someone’s mind who couldn’t afford an education?”

This is a question that Doina wakes up to every morning.

“What I realized from doing what I do, a lot of the young women are very determined. They all just want a chance; they all want an opportunity.” Doina says, “What upsets me is that there are so many barriers preventing them from being that person they are meant to be.”

Doina Oncel is the CEO/Founder of hEr VOLUTION, a non profit organization designed to provide access to women and young girls to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) based education and employment opportunities. More

30 Jan 2019
#STEM4Every1, Blog, Engineering, Girls in STEM, IWD, Mathematics, Science, Space, STEM Spark, Success, Technology

hEr VOLUTION to partner with the Metamorphosis Girls STEM Conference for the third year in a row

hEr VOLUTION

Doina Oncel

647-878-9285

mediarelations@hervolution.org

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

hEr VOLUTION to partner with the Metamorphosis Girls STEM Conference for the third year in a row

 

Toronto, ON., January 28, 2019 – hEr VOLUTION is proud to announce the partnership with the Metamorphosis Girls STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Conference for the third year in a row. The Metamorphosis Girls STEM Conference was first hosted and organized on March 8, 2017, International Women’s Day, by John Polanyi Collegiate Institute in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The event was created to support girls at a critical time when they are likely to become disengaged with STEM. Girls in middle school may lose interest in STEM studies and careers despite high academic achievement in these disciplines, and a much lower number of women compared to men are choosing to enter and stay in careers in STEM fields, especially in the areas of mathematics, physics, engineering, and computer science.

The mission of the Metamorphosis Girls STEM Conference is to foster partnerships with people and organizations who are dedicated to creating welcoming spaces for girls in STEM, while engaging girls in the making of their own STEM stories. Through a day of hands-on workshops, inspirational speakers and mentorship, the conference hopes to spark curious questions in the minds of its attendees that will lead them down a long and incredible journey in STEM.

“We are honoured to be a part of the Metamorphosis Girls STEM Conference for the third year in a row. We see the great value that this conference brings to girls in middle school in the form of workshops, STEM Talks and speaker Panel. The organizers of the conference continue to do a great job in bringing together ideas and the necessary network of organizations to support its mission. We look forward to continuing to support the conference moving forward as we see this partnership as a long-term impact by inspiring girls to embrace STEM careers” says Doina Oncel, Founder/CEO of hEr VOLUTION. More

22 Oct 2018
#STEM4Every1, Blog, Contest, Engineering, Girls in STEM, Math, Mathematics, Science, Space, STEM Spark, Success, Technology, Women In STEM Conference
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Why we need to continue to break barriers in the 21st Century

During our 2nd Annual Sold Out Canadian Women in STEM Conference, we brought together elite speakers from all walks of life who shared stories and strategies for breaking barriers and including women in STEM.

The attendees could not stop talking about how much they are enjoying the conference and how excited they are to be there. It is always so great to see that because of the support of our community, many students were able to take part in this yearly event. Like last year, we were able to include 40% of students attendants at the conference while some were speakers. It is imperative to have everyone at the table if we want to create change for the better.

When organizing events such as these, we always wonder if they are actually making an impact. Sometimes it is very hard to know unless people talk about it. Gladly, in our case, we had one student who was given a ticket to the conference in a contest she wan, express how she felt after the conference and because of it:

Thank you, Ashima for sharing your insight. Thank you for being open and for dreaming big. Thank you for being a part of the change. Thank you for breaking barriers and for being part of the solution and for including you and other women in STEM.

If you attended the conference on October 13, 2018, we would LOVE your feedback. We strive to always make it better a better experience and we would love to hear from you how to do that. Please take 5 minutes of your time to share your thoughts here.

 

11 Oct 2018
#STEM4Every1, CanWomenSTEM150, Engineering, Girls in STEM, LGBTQA+, Math, Media, Science, Space, STEM Spark, Success, Technology, Women In STEM Conference
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Why An Inclusive Education Must Be Fostered During International Day Of The Girl Child and Beyond

“Education is neither eastern nor western. Education is education and it’s the right of every human being.”
― Malala Yousafzai

 

International Day of the Girl Child is a day we cherish now more than ever. We know that many girls and young women are still not able to develop the skills they need to enter and advance in their future careers. When a young woman comes to us and says that she is happy to be able to join an all-girl program because she doesn’t feel comfortable in being in a room full of boys at her school, is the evidence we need that enforces the concept of why these days are needed. It is important for girls and young women to see themselves as the leaders of tomorrow. 

The International Day of the Girl Child reinforces that our programs, workshops, and events such as our annual Canadian Women in STEM Conference, are much needed to help girls and young women highlight the idea that they are capable of great things. 

Last year, around this time, when we run our conference it was only because we wanted to raise awareness on the amazing talent pool of women in Canada and towards some amazing women who were behind the curtains of their jobs and never seen for the impact they made to our society. It started with the numerous questions asked by diverse students and community stakeholders: Who out there is in STEM that looks like me or has achieved success despite challenges? What are the many opportunities in STEM that everyone talks about and why would I care to learn more about STEM? It is questions like these that drive us to create change in a meaningful way, to create opportunities for inclusion for the diverse communities that exist in this community of ours called Canada.

We are honoured to celebrate this day with pride, not only on October 11 but throughout the year by ensuring that we provide more opportunities for girls and young women to become the best version of themselves and proud participants in the future workforce. 

“Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.”― Oprah Winfrey

26 Sep 2018
Blog, CanWomenSTEM150, Engineering, LGBTQA+, Math, Mathematics, Media, Science, Space, STEM Spark, Success, Technology, Women In STEM Conference
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Venture Out is Unleashing the Power of Inclusion by Leading the LGBTQA+ in STEM Breakout Session

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Doina Oncel, Founder/CEO

504- 101 Roehampton Ave,

Toronto, ON M4P 2W2

1-647-878-9285

 

September 26, 2018

 

(Toronto, ON) – hEr VOLUTION is proud to announce Venture Out, as a new sponsor for the LGBTQA+ Breakout Session at the 2nd annual Canadian Women in STEM Conference; Breaking Down Barriers: Unleashing the Power of Inclusion.

Venture Out is a network of individuals, companies and community organizations. Together, they are building an LGBTQA+ tech and entrepreneurship community, with the goal of creating a more diverse & inclusive future.

“Venture Out is thrilled to partner with hEr VOLUTION to help facilitate a conversation on LGBTQA+ inclusion in STEM. Our organizations share the value of community, and we are grateful for Doina’s enthusiastic support of this session. When we think about “breaking down barriers,” one of the first things that comes to mind is intentionally creating a safe space for folks—LGBTQA+ and allies—to share experiences, ask questions, and listen. We hope to provide that opportunity at this conference.” – Lisa Durnford, Co-Chair, Venture Out More