Happy National Volunteer Week!

It's National Volunteer Week, and I'd like to take a moment and recognize a few of our outstanding volunteers!!!

These volunteers are so stellar, we nominated each of them for a National Let's Talk Science award!

Kate Bishop Williams  (Nominated: National Volunteer of the Year Award)

Kate is definitely one of our most dedicated, flexible and all-round wonderful volunteers! If you're looking for an experienced, enthusiastic volunteer to run an activity in your classroom, Kate's your girl! She brings her wealth of experience working with kids and her enthusiasm for teaching and scientific communication to every activity she runs -- and it shows! Educators have nothing but good things to say after Kate visits their classroom, and the kids can't stop asking when she'll be back! Thanks KATE!! :)

Q . What are you studying and what have you studied in the past?
A. I am currently finishing my MSc in Epidemiology. I completed an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences. In September I will begin my PhD in Epidemiology!

Q . What has been your favourite part of volunteering (or what is the best activity that you've done so far)?
A. I love the opportunity to work with kids! I used to teach swimming lessons and I gave that up when I started grad school. Now I have the opportunity to work with children again, teach something that I love and hopefully inspire a few bright young minds to consider a career in science. What could be more fun!?

Q. Why did you become a Let's Talk Science volunteer?

A. I became a let's Talk Science volunteer for a number of reasons! The main reasons were to work with kids, teach science and meet other graduate students at my university. The somewhat more selfish reasons that are still valid are to build my CV, learn how to communicate science and my research to a different group and build teaching experience. But in the end, I have stayed a volunteer because I LOVE working with LTS at the University of Guelph!

Q. What are your goals for the future?

A. My goals for the future are to start my PhD in September and complete it in 4 years or less. I would like to continue to volunteer with LTS, continue to work as a teaching assistant and maybe even as a sessional instructor! In the end, I would like to be a professor of epidemiology or of climate change and health.


Alex Swirski  (Nominated: National Volunteer of the Year Award)
Alex was a brand new addition to our Let's Talk Science Outreach program in September, but what a great addition to our team! Alex brings enthusiasm to every activity, and she has a great rapport with kids of all ages! Despite only joining the team in September, she quickly became one of our most active volunteers, heading to both local AND rural schools to run hands-on/minds-on activities with kids! Thanks ALEX! :D

Q . What are you studying and what have you studied in the past?
A. My undergraduate degree was in microbiology. I am currently studying epidemiology, looking at how season influences water contamination with Giardia spp. and the impact of season on the incidence of human cases of giardiasis.

Q . What has been your favourite part of volunteering (or what is the best activity that you've done so far)?
A. I love getting kids excited about science! My favourite part of volunteering is when we do the wrap up at the end of the activity and the kids tell you about their favourite part and what part they are going to tell their parents about when they go home. I love seeing the excitement that comes from learning something cool and new.

Q. Why did you become a Let's Talk Science volunteer?

A. My friend suggested that I try it out and I am very glad I did!

Q. What are your goals for the future?

A. I am still trying to figure that out for myself! However, I would love to work for the World Health Organization and help with disease eradication and                                                                                       vaccination programmes.


Keith Poore  (Nominated: CIHR-Synapse Award)
Keith was another new addition to our team in September. He quickly distinguished himself as a dependable volunteer who was willing to help out wherever we needed help most. Within a couple months, he was already offering to design a brand new activity (a disease propagation activity for grades 6+ that you'll see featured on our blog over the summer). For his work in developing this Health-based activity, we nominated him for the CIHR-Synapse Award. Thanks KEITH!

Q . What are you studying and what have you studied in the past?
A. I am currently in my second year of my MSc. in Biophysics. I did my BSc. in Medical Physics at Ryerson University.

Q . What has been your favourite part of volunteering (or what is the best activity that you've done so far)?
A. I like to help others, whether it be learning something new and exciting or just lending a helping hand. When volunteering through Let's Talk Science, I really enjoy the eureka moments students have when they understand a new concept.

Q. Why did you become a Let's Talk Science volunteer?

A. I heard really great things about LTS, from friends who had volunteered. I also like to teach science (at any level), so it seemed like a great opportunity.

Q. What are your goals for the future?

A. I am currently running for Guelph City Council. I also want to do a PhD in either Biophysics, Biomathematics, or Applied Mathematics.