Jane Huynh: Currently working in the healthcare profession at a research hospital. Interested in the world of science and new discoveries.
Helen Chen: Helen Chen is a high school student in a specialized STEM program called “TOPS”. She is extremely passionate about chemistry, public health, and the intersections between business and STEAM. She has been part of the Foundation for Student Science and Technology for three years now, first as an ambassador, then as a GTA coordinator, and now as the conference director. Through this, she is also working on her own research on Zika and cancer with Dr. Brad Bass.
Sophia Fan: I am a second-year student at U of T pursuing a double major in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity & Conservation Biology, with a minor in Mathematics. I am working in Dr. Bass’ lab on the Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland project as a research-opportunity student in the fall, but I am currently helping out in the lab for the summer as well.
Why did you get involved with hEr VOLUTION’s camps?
Jane Huynh: Through Dr. Brad Bass
Helen Chen: I think these camps are a great opportunity for students across the city to further their interest in the sciences. I’m so glad students of varying ages will get insight into the STEAM and research.
Sophia Fan: I got involved through Dr. Bass and the VFCW project.
How are you involved with the STEM Camps?
Jane Huynh: I helped to pilot some of the activities that Dr. Bass will use during the camp
Helen Chen: I’m helping out with the COBWEB Camp this summer!
Sophia Fan: I will be talking about the VFCW project and its applications, introducing the work of past students and our current progress.
What should people expect from the STEM camps?
Jane Huynh: Learning about complexity in environmental issues and having fun!
Helen Chen: At these camps, you not only learn, but you also experiment. You will experiment with COBWEB and go through the research process, just like a scientist. Students will also meet like-minded students from around the city and wonderful mentors who are dedicated to helping them realize their full potential.
Sophia Fan: Inspiration! I never doubted that I would go into a STEM-related field as a career, and that was all because I had amazing role models and opportunities such as STEM camps to influence, support, and motivate my goals as I was growing up.
How can others connect with you?
Jane Huynh: N/A
Helen Chen: https://www.facebook.com/helenn358
Sophia Fan: sophia.fan@mail.utoronto.ca
In order to encourage and open up opportunities for women in STEM careers, hEr VOLUTION is partnering with the Foundation for Student Science and Technology (FSST) and the University Research Experience with Complex Systems (URECS) to offer a one-week program in Environment and Public Health. The program will provide training and experience in conducting research in how environmental factors affect health by means of computer simulations. It is available to female students ages 13 – 18. It will be offered from July 23rd – July 27th at the Gerstein Library on the St. George Campus of the University of Toronto.
To register for this camp please go to https://www.picatic.com/COBWEBCompSci
In order to help us deliver STEM camps to youth from underserved communities, we have put together a crowdfunding campaign. Please consider supporting the campaign, any amount helps and it will bring us closer to our goal of delivering STEM camps at no cost to 70 underserved youth. To support us, please go to our GofundMe page here
