What is Girls in STEAM?
MPL is excited to introduce Girls in STEAM, a 6-week program crafted for Grade 9 girls to inspire their passion for the sciences and explore careers in STEAM fields. This dynamic program provides a fantastic chance for mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on experiences.
Why Should You Join?
Boost Your Confidence: Discover your potential and gain the confidence to excel in STEAM.
Hands-On Learning: Engage in STEAM-based training and develop practical skills
Mentorship Opportunities: Connect with experienced mentors who can guide and inspire you.
Supportive Community: Join a network of peers and professionals committed to your success.
Real-World Projects: Work on a STEAM project with real-world. applications, showcasing your talent and creativity.
Certificate of Completion: Get a letter/certificate of completion to be used towards higher education applications.
Volunteer Hours: Get volunteer hours for participating in the program.
About the Program
Step into the empowering world of the Girls in STEAM program! Over the course of 6 immersive lessons, students will be:
- Introduced to STEAM Careers/Gender-based Bias in STEAM
- Introduced to Basic Coding
- Learning to 3D Print Models
- Developing a Research Proposal
Join us in this one of a kind opportunity to unravel your passions, uncover your strengths, and discover where your unique skills intersect within the vibrant realm of STEAM!"
Program Schedule
Kick-off Summit: Saturday, September 28, 2024, 9am-12pm Aaniin Community Centre, Older Adult Program Room
Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays, October 9 to November 13, 5:30-8 p.m. at Aaniin Library
Final Showcase: Wednesday, Nov 27, 2024
How to Apply?
This program is exclusively for girls enrolled in Grade 9 as of Fall 2024. We have a limited number of spots available. You must have a strong interest in STEAM and be a highly self-motivated and committed student. Please submit your online application form along with a reference. The most suitable candidates will be selected to be part of the program. Please see here, opens a new window [PDF] for reference requirement.
Deadline to Apply: September 6, 2024
Mentors
Alice Lam
Director, Operations
City of Markham
Alice is a registered Professional Engineer with 20 years of diverse and progressive technical and leadership experience. She graduated from the University of Toronto Civil Engineering program, beginning her career right away with the private consulting specializing in traffic engineering and planning. Shortly after, Alice joined the Ministry of Transportation and rotated through different areas such as urban planning, structural, traffic, intelligent transportation system, highway engineering and construction to gain multi-disciplinary experience.
In 2014, Alice joined the City of Markham's Engineering Department as their Manager of Infrastructure and Capital works to oversee the City's infrastructure projects. Alice is currently the Director of Operations for the City of Markham overseeing Roads, Parks, Fleets, Corridor Management and other Operations to ensure the City is operating seamlessly. She has led many innovative initiatives to continue industry advancement. She is most proud of her team dynamic and inclusion, as she knows they have each other’s back no matter what challenges they face.
In her spare time, Alice volunteered as a mentor with the WTS (Women in Transportation Seminar) Toronto Chapter and PEO (Professional Engineers of Ontario) to give back to the community by helping other emerging leaders.
Rosalie Daffern
Scientists in Schools & MPL
Rosalie has worked in various capacities at Markham Public Library since 2017. She currently holds the position of Full Time Borrower Services Clerk at the Angus Glen Branch. In this role she provides customer service and manages library materials. Since 2009 Rosalie has also been a passionate presenter and mentor with the Scientists in School. A National charity which ignites scientific curiosity and provides science education thorough interactive workshops. As a life long learner, Rosalie has a passion and curiosity for learning and is dedicated to inspiring a love for learning to all ages. When not working, you’ll find Rosalie outside exploring nature or performing kitchen chemistry, creating delicious treats for family, friends and staff.
Dr. Melinda Chelva
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
SickKids
Dr. Melinda Chelva (she/her) has a BHSc in Life Sciences and a PhD in Translational Medicine from Queen's University. Currently, she is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at SickKids. She has worked with several international collaborators to improve the cervical cancer ‘screen-triage-treat’ approach in East Africa. Her research expertise is focused on improving the uptake of HPV self-collection using various recruitment strategies and reducing loss to follow-up using mHealth supported patient navigation strategies. Through extensive field work, Melinda has had the opportunity to explore the levels of knowledge and awareness on HPV and cervical cancer among rural and urban women in Tanzania and has been able to understand the barriers and facilitators to enhance cervical cancer prevention services using an ‘implementation science-focused lens’.
Dr Chelva loves that STEM fosters curiosity and empowers problem-solving. It is a field where creativity meets logic, allowing for innovative solutions to real-world challenges. STEM encourages exploration across disciplines, fueling discoveries that can improve lives, whether it is through medical breakthroughs, technological advancements, or sustainability efforts. The collaborative nature of STEM brings together diverse perspectives to positively impact communities across the globe.
Teresa Yuen
Development Engineer
City of Markham
My name is Teresa Yuen. I attended Queen’s University, Civil Engineering, and I am a Development Engineer in land development at the City of Markham. My work experience has been a mix between private consulting and public services. As a consultant, I designed sewers and roads for residential subdivisions, as well as landmark site plans, such as various Pan Am Centres, hospitals and institutions. As a Development Engineer, I review designs and help make Markham a livable city for the residents. For me, the most exciting thing about working in land development is to take part in building our community, and to actually see the results of our work. STEM can be very hands on, and I find it very rewarding.
Denisa Necula
Brownfield Environmental Technologist
City of Markham
Denisa Necula is a Brownfield Environmental Technologist at the City of Markham with more than 15 years of experience dealing with brownfields and environmental concerns. Specializing in soil and groundwater contamination issues, Denisa uses that experience to help facilitate development approvals for City’s Engineering Department and Real Estate Group.
Denisa loves that this program will give the participants a chance to explore different possibilities in STEM, and at the same time, the program give her and other professionals the opportunity to give back to the community, but also to encourage the girls to explore their interests and find their passion in STEM. Nothing is beyond their limits.
Juliana Bottazzo
Project Coordinator
Black & McDonald
Juliana Bottazzo is a Project Coordinator at Black & McDonald and is pleased to introduce herself to the Girls in STEAM:
“My name is Juliana, and I work in the nuclear industry, which means I help energy providers produce electricity that powers homes, schools, and even the devices you use every day! I’ve always been a curious person, and that’s why I love science. It allows me to explore how things around me work, from the smallest details to the big, important systems that keep the world running. By working in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), I get to be part of something bigger and make a difference in the world!
Dr. Roopali Chaudhary
Founder/CEO
Lotus STEMM
Dr. Roopali Chaudhary (she/her) is a cellular & molecular biologist, entrepreneur, and a lifelong learner. She is the founder/CEO of the not-for-profit organization, Lotus STEMM, a networking and leadership platform for South Asian women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). She is also a Senior Director - Cell and Biomaterials Integration at Allarta Life Science Inc., and owns a small bakery specializing in science-themed cakes, and enjoys building furniture.
Marina Riad
M.Eng, P.Eng, PMP
City of Markham
Marina Riad, M.Eng, P.Eng, PMP, is a passionate civil engineer with over nine years of hands-on experience in infrastructure design and project management, primarily within the City of Markham. With both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University, she consistently excelled academically, making the Dean's Honour List multiple times. Currently, as the Acting Manager of Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Marina leads important municipal initiatives, ensuring they stay on budget and meet regulatory standards while promoting teamwork and open communication. Before joining Markham, she gained valuable experience at the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, where she tackled challenges on various highway projects and worked closely with engineering consultants. Marina is dedicated to finding innovative solutions that enhance the city’s infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Manzora Nero
Civil Engineer
City of Markham
Manzora is a civil engineer with experience in transportation infrastructure and structural engineering. She’s a Capital Works Engineer with the City of Markham’s Engineering Department. Manzora completed her bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo, with a specialization in Structural Engineering and her master's degree in Engineering at the University of Toronto. She has experience working in a variety of fields including transportation, construction, structural, project management and engineering consulting. Outside of work, she loves travelling, exploring new cafés around the city, and painting.
Cindy Adams
Executive Director
Scientists in School
Cindy Adams is the Executive Director of Scientists in School, a leading organization in science education enrichment for kindergarten to Grade 8 students. Since its inception in 1989, the non-profit has ignited the scientific curiosity of over 10 million children participating in richly investigative workshops in their classrooms – workshops that connected their scientific explorations to the world around them. Graduating from the University of Toronto with her M.Sc. (Applied Ecology) and B.Sc. (Biology), she is a former research scientist, and part of an applied ecology team in the University of Toronto’s Department of Botany. She worked on a variety of pollution ecology research projects for 13 years.
It was Cindy’s unwavering passion for sparking early interest in science in children that led her to Scientists in School in 1993, first in a volunteer role, and rapidly assuming responsibility for leadership of the organization before moving into her current role in 1999 as its founding Executive Director when Scientists in School incorporated as a non-profit organization and charity in 1999. Today with a staff team of over 50 and a workshop presenter team of over 150, she has overall accountability to ensure that the goals and programs of Scientists in School have lasting impact and are deeply inclusive of Kindergarten to Grade 8 scientists in diverse classroom and youth organization settings across Canada. Over 11 million K to Grade 8 scientists have participated in Scientists in School workshops, under the mentorship of visiting STEM role models. Cindy is a recipient of the Order of Ontario (2022), the YWCA Durham Region “Women of Distinction Award” and has enjoyed roles on the board of the Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario, the Make a Difference Committee of the Durham District School Board, and as a past-president of the Ajax-Pickering Chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women. A mom of three, Cindy is an avid nature enthusiast, taking every chance she gets to grab her binoculars and head out for her favourite activity- bird watching.
Celeste Ramnarine
Medical Librarian
Oak Valley Health
Celeste Ramnarine (she/her) is a dedicated information specialist and librarian, currently serving as a medical librarian at Oak Valley Health. With an Honours Bachelor of Science and a Master of Information, both from the University of Toronto, Celeste brings a strong foundation in health sciences, clinical research, and information sciences to her role. Her expertise spans information management, health literacy, and community outreach. She holds executive positions with the Ontario Health Library and Information Association (OHLIA) and the Toronto Health Libraries Association (THLA). She is passionate about enhancing community wellness through accessible education, resources, and programming. Celeste also enjoys reading, trying new foods and spending time with her loved ones.