Our two Junior camps gave participants the chance to assume their roles as biologists-in-training and raise zebrafish for the week. As well as learning about the ins-and-outs of zebrafish development, participants enjoyed other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities, including making aluminum foil boats, designing social media posts to inform others about important science topics, and exploring the psychology behind motivation and group work.  

Our Senior camps always intend to expand participants’ interest beyond the biology lab, and this year was no different! We spent the week observing the Sun (safely!) through telescopes with solar filters, making usable algae strings, learning about sleep and dreams, and creating art using cabbage juice as a pH indicator. Campers also got to learn how to spot fake news when browsing the web, and helped Citizen Science by tracking pollinators in our area.  

All of our camps featured role model sessions where participants got to learn about various STEM careers, including necessary schooling, what a day-in-the-life looks like, and what skills will help them be successful in those careers. Some of our role models’ fields of work included Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Science, Genetic Counselling, Registered Dietetics, and Bat Research.  

The contest was held over many months, with application intake opening in December 2019 and closing in February 2021. In March, we hosted a virtual App 101 Session with app developer Lesley Chard. Participants were introduced to the App design process, as well as various tips and tricks to keep in mind while developing their designs. Later that month, contestants made their first pitch to a small judging panel. Judges provided feedback for each participant to incorporate into their final pitches.

Final pitches were longer and App designs had to be polished and fine-tuned. The presentation style was open, but it had to be clear that thought and effort had gone into their final pitch. A variety of styles were used, including both video and PowerPoint. A judging panel of 5 people attended the presentations and were assessed participants’ App designs according to a variety of criteria including, but not limited to, how well they adhered to theme, the originality and execution of their design, the need for the App, and if they had appropriately used their time during their pitch. The panel met following the presentations and decided on three winners; tied for first place were Shabad Kaur and Bianca Skye, and the runner up was Babitha Pothu. Congratulations to the three of you!

Shabad’s App was called “Plan-It” and was designed to make it easier for individuals to make sustainable purchases at a variety of big-name stores. By incorporating a reward system into her app that gave users the chance to earn discounts when they made certain sustainable choices, she ensured that people would keep coming back to her App and make long-term change.

Bianca’s App, “Go Go Eco”, was aimed towards younger children. Users would have the opportunity to grow a virtual garden by doing various real-time and in-game tasks related to sustainability. Her goal was to teach the younger generation about how they can make sustainable choices from their own home, like growing a vegetable garden, or ditching single-use plastics.

Babitha named her app “Accident Free” because its purpose was to prevent car accidents from occurring. The App would sync with a vehicles’ monitoring systems to alert the driver of any immediate threats. The other feature of the App was that if there was an accident, it would sync with 911 and alert the appropriate emergency assistance and would provide first responders important information such as location of the accident.

Congratulations to all participants! It was amazing to see what you all came up with. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into the contest and we can’t wait to see what you do next!

Thank you also to our judges: Tamara Franz-Odendaal, Sally Marchand, Lesley Chard, Madyn Bourque, and Molly Murray.

That along with Women in Aerospace Canada – Atlantic, we will be hosting the CCWESTT 2022 Conference in Halifax! So make sure to save the date, May 12-14, 2022. The conference will take place at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.

Let’s reach for the stars and create impact, together!