ms infinity | Youth Enagement
Introducing Girls to STEM
ms infinity (math and science = infinite options)programs introduce girls to a wide range of exciting career options and positive female role models in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Together, we bust the myths about scientists, engineers and their careers in STEM … you don’t need to wear a lab coat to be a scientist! And you don’t need to wear a hard hat to be an engineer (unless you are on a job site!).
Our SCWIST team works with the community to offer:
- Quantum Leap Conferences to inspire students to consider STEM careers – including the exciting, uncommon careers
- Fun interactive workshops with science stories, technology demos and hands-on STEM activities
- Supportive eMentoring program to guide girls on how to pursue their STEM interests
- Scholarships to inspire students to pursue STEM education and careers
- Extensive volunteer opportunities for women in STEM careers and girls interested in STEM
Please note that we use the terms women and girls with a broad meaning that includes people who identify themselves as women, girls, trans, genderqueer, non-binary, two-spirit, and gender questioning.
Current Highlights
- Applications are open for our Youth Scholarships.
- Apply for a $500 Quantum Leaps Grant to host a conference at your school!
- Applications for our eMentoring program are now open.
Teachers and STEM Educators: We want to support you! We offer a variety of programs to support teaching STEM in your classroom. If you are an educator and want to find out more about our programs, please explore the programs that we offer.
Quantum Leaps Conferences
Interested in hosting a STEM-focused conference at your school (in-person or online)? SCWIST can help! With our $500 Quantum Leaps Grant, you’ll be able to demonstrate first-hand how fascinating careers in STEM can be.
The conference for students, by students!
Apply now for our $500 Quantum Leaps Grant and put on a science conference at your school (in-person or online!)
When students attend a Quantum Leaps conference, they’ll experience fun workshops and motivating keynote speeches from women working in STEM careers. SCWIST can provide resources to help organizers plan and carry out the conferences.
Apply for your grant now, or contact our ms infinity coordinator to learn more.
- “Seeing women being successful in their field is more inspiring than just being told about the jobs out there.” – Yukon Quantum Leaps Participant, 2009
- “It encouraged me to go into more math and science courses.” – Castlegar Participant Quantum Leaps, 2011
- “It made me think about looking into careers that are more specialized and that are not as known…a lot of things I heard today not many people think about…” – Nanaimo Participant Quantum Leaps Participant, 2008
STEM Forward Workshops
Grades 1 – 12
Forget equations written on a whiteboard; would you like to see how real hands-on science is done? You can learn more about STEM by getting involved with fun activities like creating controlled explosions, building bridges, and solving murder mysteries.
The type of activity you do depends on the STEM expertise of your SCWIST presenters – your presenters could include a neuroscientist, a stem cell researcher, a software developer, a mechanical engineer, or a physicist! Ask your teacher or group leader to get in touch with our ms infinity coordinator and we’ll work with you to create a workshop that’s right for your group.
eMentoring
Grades 10 – 12
Want to explore STEM careers and find out what engineers and scientists do every day? Need some school or career advice that’s tailored to you? Sign up to our eMentoring program and we’ll put you in touch with a professional woman in a STEM career who is closely matched to your own interests.
You’ll connect over email or Skype over a six-week period, and your mentor will be available to you for around an hour per week. You’ll discover the rewards of careers in STEM and get helpful advice from a professional on different career paths, finances, work life balance, and more.
- eMentoring is about guidance, exploring career options, and learning about life in the STEM fields.
- Participants should be prepared to participate for the full mentoring period, contribute regularly, and engage in thoughtful conversations.
- This is an incredible opportunity to learn from your eMentor who is volunteering their time to connect with you, and is engaged in learning more about your interest in STEM and your perspectives.
- eMentoring runs three times a year.
- The program is available for girls, trans, gender queer, non-binary, two spirit, and gender questioning youth in grades 10-12.
Northern BC Youth Engagement Program
We want to reach you, wherever you are! With the help of some fantastic funding agencies, we are reaching more girls in rural communities and northern areas of British Columbia. We want to learn more about how we can help inspire and support young women and girls in these communities who have an interest in STEM. If you would like to work with us, please contact our ms infinity coordinator at [email protected].
Volunteer Opportunities
Are you a woman working or studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM)? Would you like to volunteer to engage and inspire today’s youth about these amazing STEM fields? Sign up to volunteer for ms infinity here. Please note that we encourage all our volunteers to become SCWIST members, which connects you to our events, network, professional develop opportunities, and helps support all of our SCWIST programs. Sign up now!
These Youth Engagement programs would not be possible without the generous support of our SCWIST members, volunteers, donors and funding agencies.
Did you lead or participate in an activity as an ms infinity or Youth Engagement representative?