Congratulations to the 2023/24 Margaret Stephens Professional Development Bursary Recipients!
Let’s Talk Science is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023/24 Margaret Stephens Professional Development Bursary:
- Sujani Vivekananthan. Ontario Tech
- Liliana Chow, Queen's University
- Mariel Alexandra Bonilla Revelo, University of Saskatchewan
- Anu Yadav, University of Saskatchewan
- Dhuha Wehelie, University of Windsor
- Nela Jankechova, University of Waterloo
- Mahta Amanian, University of British Columbia
- Randa Joatar, Brock University
- Shivani Verma, University of Waterloo
- Mariam Abdulsayed, University of Waterloo
Named after Margaret Stephens, a lifelong learner who pursued an education in science at a time when it wasn’t traditional to do so for women, these $1,000 bursaries reward and support volunteers who pursue professional development opportunities within Let’s Talk Science. Made possible by a generous donation from the Margaret and Andrew Stephens Family Foundation, this program will continue to support volunteers over the next five years.
“The Margaret and Andrew Stephens Family Foundation is pleased to partner with Let’s Talk Science to support the 2024 Margaret Stephens Professional Development Bursary. We are very excited with the level of interest shown in this Bursary as it aligns so well with the objectives of the Foundation,” says her husband, Andrew Stephens. “As Let’s Talk Science volunteers and Bursary applicants, you are enhancing the STEM community, building capacity in our youth and yourselves, inspiring youth and each other to do great things, and you are change makers. Thanks for your passion and enthusiasm for preparing youth in Canada for future careers and citizenship demands in our rapidly changing world, and congratulations to Bursary recipients!”
The Margaret Stephens Professional Development Bursary recognizes Let’s Talk Science volunteers who have demonstrated a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development alongside their dedication to STEM outreach. Along with the practical knowledge, volunteers gain through organizing STEM programming for children and youth, Let’s Talk Science is proud to offer numerous virtual and in-person professional development opportunities to help prepare them for their futures beyond post-secondary. This year’s recipients demonstrated a profound dedication to personal and professional growth by completing numerous professional development and training courses on climate action, career connections, leadership, resume writing, and EDIA (equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility).
Mariel Alexandra Bonilla Revelo, a recipient from the University of Saskatchewan, says Let’s Talk Science has helped her acquire new soft skills while improving her hard skills. “I appreciate the continuous courses and workshops that Let’s Talk Science offers to the volunteers,” says Revelo. She plans to use her bursary money for courses in R programming language to help improve her research skills as she completes her master’s in food science.
Another recipient, Dhuha Wehelie from the University of Windsor, is taking her bursary with her as she embarks on her journey for a Bachelor of Education. “After volunteering with Let’s Talk Science, I have discovered my love for educating others and have learned many ways to make STEM fun and inviting, rather than intimidating, for youth,” says Wehelie. “I hope to continue volunteering with Let’s Talk Science as I begin teacher’s college to continue building my skills as an educator while contributing to this amazing initiative of making STEM fun for children.”
Sujani Vivekananthan, recipient from Ontario Tech and aspiring neurologist, plans to use her bursary to support her studies for the Medical College Admission Test. “My involvement with Let’s Talk Science has been transformative, influencing my professional and personal development,” says Vivekananthan. “Engaging in professional development and training expanded my knowledge base and honed skills in science communication, outreach, and inclusivity. This experience has deepened my passion for science education and instilled a commitment to fostering curiosity, inclusivity, and a love for learning in the next generation.”
Other recipients plan to continue volunteering with Let’s Talk Science while continuing their education goals in various fields, including medicine, ecology, and education. The Margaret Stephens Professional Development Bursary is a powerful tool for supporting students’ financial needs and can cover expenses such as tuition, workshops, textbooks, and other educational costs.
“During this past year - our first full year of running the bursary program - we have been lucky to see the impact on our phenomenal volunteers,” says Let’s Talk Science’s Youth and Volunteer Experience Program Development Manager, Susie Brown. “With more volunteers focusing time on their own development with Let’s Talk Science, they are gaining and reflecting on skills to enhance their support to children and youth in Canada as well as prepare for their own future careers.”
Let’s Talk Science is grateful to The Margaret and Andrew Stephens Family Foundation for their generous gift and for enabling us to help volunteers prepare for their futures.