Our highly-trained passionate presenters are diverse role models to the young scientists they inspire. By sparking curiosity, confidence and imagination in the next generation, our presenters provide memorable opportunities for all children to see themselves as scientists.
Let’s meet one of our Francophone presenters, Angela Ferro. Read this interview in French here.
What is your STEM background?
My background is in biochemistry, focused in microbiology and immunology. I have worked at a few different research labs with diverse interests. I worked in a yeast processing company where I was responsible for working with larger machinery to purify yeast extract. I also worked with microplastics, discovering their harmful effects to lung cells.
Did you love STEM as a child?
As a child, I was always curious and loved learning. My STEM interest peaked when I was in middle school. My teacher was very bubbly and outgoing. Her name was Mme Renaud, and she even had classroom mice. It really felt like a “real” science class there. We did science experiments for the first time in my academic journey.
What sparked your interest in STEM?
I was always a high-achieving student in academics. My favourite class was always math. My dad was a civil engineer and my uncle was a math teacher. I was surrounded by STEM from a young age. With their support, I decided to pursue a career in science, then shifting to education.
What workshop topic(s) do you present?
I present “I Like to Move it!” in-person in Ottawa and I present “J’aime beaucoup bouger!” online in French. The workshop explores how things move by building simple machines. We build wheels and axels, pulleys, levers, and inclined planes.
What’s your favourite part?
I love exploring simple machines with the students. Most students really enjoy building as at home they build LEGO, and other engaging hands-on activities.
What’s your favourite part of being a STEM Expert Presenter?
My favourite part of being a STEM Expert Presenter is when students are shocked when they see me in the class. Their faces light up when seeing a guest. I also like to portray a different image of a scientist than is shown in the media. I feel like students expect a “mad scientist” to come to their classroom, but I am just a person no different than them. I feel like it shows that anyone can be a scientist, no matter their background.
What is the furthest place you’ve presented to online?
I live in Ottawa, ON, and the furthest place I’ve presented in is Morinville, Alberta, which is about 40 minutes north of Edmonton. Some other far places I’ve presented in are Lethbridge, Alberta and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. I love being able to bring French STEM education all over the country.
Is there a place you’ve presented to online that you’d like to visit?
I have presented in Tiny Township, which I have actually visited before. My close friend from university lives nearby Tiny Township, so it was nice to connect with her when I found out I would be presenting close to her hometown. They have great beaches in Tiny! I would love to go again. I have also presented in Guelph, which was a place I wanted to visit when I was young because it was where Robert Munsch lived. He was my favourite author as a kid.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Outside of work, I enjoy going to yoga classes. I also love to be outside and get active, whether that’s skating, hiking or biking. I am a big dog lover but I don’t have a dog of my own, so I dog-sit others from time to time.
