Miranda Branyiczky

Miranda Branyiczky
Let’s Talk Science Volunteer at Queen’s University

Miranda was inspired to pursue science by participating in the Let’s Talk Science Challenge as a kid and went on to share her passion as a Let’s Talk Science volunteer. She was a runner-up for the 2023 Let’s Talk Science National Volunteer Award.

Time volunteering with Let’s Talk Science: Since September 2019

Area of study: Undergraduate Life Sciences and Medical School

Inspirational Moment: I led multiple “STEM Storytimes” on Zoom for young students during the pandemic. During these, I would read a children’s storybook centred around a particular scientific concept, then teach and discuss more of the science behind the story and finally lead participants through an interactive at-home science experiment to solidify their understanding while having fun! During one of these sessions, I surprisingly had over 4,000 students and educators tune in from across the country to learn and experiment with me! I was definitely inspired by the abundance of positive feedback and realized what an impact I have while volunteering from home.

Favourite Let’s Talk Science volunteering activity: Matter Matters, a classroom workshop where kids learn about the properties of solids, liquids, and gasses, was one of my favourite workshops to lead with younger students. I loved seeing the gears turn in their heads as they began to understand why different states of matter have the properties they do and see the applications of these properties in their everyday lives! Everyone would always get excited when we got to mix a solid (baking soda) and liquid (vinegar) to make a gaseous carbon dioxide, surprisingly!

Why do you volunteer with Let’s Talk Science? I volunteer with LTS because I truly believe in its mission to support youth participation in STEM activities, particularly because I am living proof of its impact! My participation in the Let’s Talk Science Challenge in middle school deepened my passion for learning science and inspired me to pursue it in further education. Now, I get the chance to have fun while leading engaging classroom workshops or planning day-long science symposiums where I can share my excitement and hopefully inspire the next generation of scientists and investigators.

Fun fact: I have four older brothers!