Event STEMapalooza for International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Dr. Jessica Haines is a research collaborator for MacEwan University and Nature Alberta. She focuses on projects conserving biodiversity and connecting people with nature. Guests will learn about Squirrels of Alberta from her latest project on Franklin's Ground Squirrels.

TELUS World of Science - Edmonton is proud to announce that Valerie Miller was our 2024 Science Fellow. She has a PhD in land reclamation and is the Outreach and Engagement Lead for Future Energy Systems at the University of Alberta. Passionate about STEM outreach, she connects researchers with the community through classroom visits, lab tours, and volunteer work at Science Rendezvous and organizations like TELUS World of Science - Edmonton and Nature Alberta. On February 11, guests will learn about land reclamation, feeling soil materials, doing a soil puzzle, and drawing a healthy earth with Valerie!

Dr. Elaine Beltaos-Kerr is a member of the Mathematics and Statistics Department at MacEwan University.  She specializes in algebra, and she is also interested in the student learning experience. She will showcase fractals, tessellations and related ideas.

Christina Goodvin is an alternative materials engineer specializing in 3D printing for sustainable construction, focusing on design and material development. She demonstrates the practical applications and opportunities of 3D printing, experimenting with various materials from unique filaments to locally sourced mud. Goodvin plans to demonstrate various applications of 3D printing, from food to pottery to construction, illustrating with examples and printers how starting with a simple desktop printer can take you to a world of applications and opportunities.

Mehnaz Hamid is a graduate student in Biological Science with a background in Biotechnology from Bangladesh. Her research investigates the impact of biological nitrification inhibitors on ammonia-oxidizing and methane-oxidizing bacteria to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly nitrous oxide and methane. Driven by a passion for environmental conservation, Mehnaz is dedicated to developing innovative solutions to combat climate change.

Nina Deschner is a first year masters student at the University of Alberta currently working under the guidance of Dr. Lisa Stein studying Climate Change Microbiology. She started as an undergraduate researcher working on isolating Methane-Oxidizing Bacteria (MOB) that produce polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). She transitioned her interests to harnessing and advancing the genetic engineering potential of MOBs as a means to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. She is passionate about science communication, especially within the fields of microbiology and synthetic biology.

Meet the Lab Quest scientists from the Centre for Research on Cognitive Development (CROC Lab), where research focuses on how children think, learn, and grow. Based at the University of Alberta, the lab studies language and cognitive development to better understand how young minds process information and acquire new skills

Pe Metawe Games is an Indigenous-owned tabletop board game and role-playing game store in Edmonton, dedicated to fostering inclusivity and community through gaming. Alongside a diverse retail selection, the store offers a public play space and private rooms with a vast collection of open games. Pe Metawe highlights diversity in game design, including STEM-themed titles and games by women designers. Their interactive displays showcase this variety, inviting players to explore unique board games and an extensive dice collection. Meet the team at STEMapalooza

Roberta is an award winning board game designer specialising in accessible, family friendly games. She is passionate about designing games that create compelling opportunities for learning and conversation and am very interested in the space where play and serious ideas intersect. Some of her titles include Creature Comforts, Octopus' Garden,. Hello Kitty Day at the Park, and Cafe Baras.

Summer Sigaty is a Métis educator from amiskwaciy wâskahikan (Edmonton) with a degree in Environmental Science from Concordia University of Edmonton. As an informal educator at TELUS World of Science since 2020, she integrates traditional knowledge and land-based learning into education. At STEMapalooza, Summer will showcase the science of traditional brain tanning in the Arctic Journey gallery, where guests can explore tools, techniques, and the differences between natural and commercial hides.

Natalie Darrah is a project assistant with the Climate Change and Global Health research group at the University of Alberta. She supports events, outreach, and advocacy while helping expand the Climate Change and Health Hub. With an interdisciplinary background in ecology, resource economics, and environmental philosophy, she earned her environmental studies degree in 2024.

Sophie is a Primary Care Paramedic and a Vehicle Equipment Supplies Services Technician with Alberta Health Services (AHS)since 2021. She loves the ever-changing nature of EMS, from providing patient care and meeting new people to problem-solving and tinkering with equipment. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, adventures with her dog, learning new things, and eating popcorn! At STEMapalooza, Sophie will share her paramedic experiences and insights into the equipment used on the job.

Katherine is an Advanced Care Paramedic in Edmonton with 13 years in EMS. She began as a volunteer firefighter in 2009, joined Edmonton EMS in 2012, and started working with the Public Safety Unit and Tactical Emergency Medical Services in 2017, assisting police in high-risk events. She enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and painting. Katherine will share insights on the skills and training needed for her role, including Canine Medicine, Rappelling, and Trauma Combat Casualty Care.

Alyse Fitzpatrick is an Emergency Communications Officer (ECO) and has worked in this capaity for the past 3.5 years. As an ECO she not only dispatches ambulances, but takes 911 calls from the public who are requiring medical attention. Before working as an ECO, Alyse worked in the oilfield as a standby medic. In her free time she enjoys watching her favourite sports teams, and also playing softball and ball hockey. She also enjoys knitting and crocheting, often selling the items at local markets. Today she’ll be sharing how communication technology helps frontline paramedics get the information