Every year, Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the Black trailblazers all around us. At Scientists in School, we are continuously seeking out incredible scientists to share their expertise, messages, and motivation with the young learners in our community looking for role models to inspire them.
We’re seizing the opportunity by revisiting conversations we’ve had with Black STEM champions over the past several years of our Spotlight series!
‘When am I ever going to use this in real life?’
That is a question asked in almost every classroom around the world, perhaps nowhere more frequently than in math classes.
When we posed this question to Mathematician John. C Urschel, he had this to say:
“It is true that you might not necessarily use whatever formula you learn in that class. You might not. But you very well may, depending on what area you go into. But the point is even if you don’t use it, you are going to use the quantitative reasoning skills that you’ve gained through taking math for all these years. Everyone needs to be able to think quantitatively, and to be able to communicate quantitatively.”
We live in a fast-changing world where STEM skills are more important than ever. You never know when mathematical foundations will make your day easier or change the trajectory of your life.
Passion makes for excellent fuel
What interests you? In STEM, there’s a wide world of research topics, trailblazing labs, and fieldwork focuses – if you can think it, you can study it.
For scientists like Urban Ecologist Dr. Cylita Guy, passion starts early. What she didn’t expect was getting to blend that passion for the ecology of cities with her aptitude for data and research.
“I grew up to become an ecologist. I spend a lot of time outside and thinking about outside things, but I also equal parts spend time at a computer – so it’s interesting how that love of being outside has turned me into a scientist analyzing a lot of data.”
For Researcher and Science Communicator Dr. Peter Soroye, the key to finding his niche was emulating the passion of his role models – even when the going got tough.
“I had a lot of role models who were not scientists necessarily, but I appreciated their drive and their passion. […] Science is really difficult at times and trying to emulate that same drive and motivation and passion was actually really valuable for me.”
Dr. Guy and Dr. Soroye paint a clear picture: the pursuit of an interest isn’t necessarily linear, and it certainly doesn’t always come easily. Finding fuel to keep investigating what you’re passionate about is a key part of being a scientist.
Being visible role models in STEM
We were inspired by our conversations with 2020 Junior Breakthrough Challenge winner Maryam Tsegaye and Arctic Marine Biologist Justine Hudson and their perspectives on being role models sharing important STEM stories.
Tsegaye spoke to how it feels to see people who look like you in STEM, “It helps you materialize the fact that you can be in that place. If a little girl or little boy or someone is watching and seeing people who look like them, people who make them feel represented in those positions; it feels more real. It doesn’t seem like a far-off dream. You think, I can be there.”
Hudson’s interest in Arctic marine life extends to sharing her own and other’s findings with the world, modelling behaviour she wants to see more of, “I think it’s so important to share what scientists are doing. So, I talk about [beluga] snot to anyone who will listen, really.”
Hudson makes a point to share that her drive to be a science communicator comes from looking to be the person she needed to see in childhood, “As a kid I didn’t know you could be a scientist as a job. I thought if you liked science you had to be a doctor, a pharmacist, a dentist – I literally thought those were the only options. It wasn’t until I got into university where someone said, No, you can do research as a job. You can study animals. And I wondered, does everyone know that you can be a biologist?”
Hudson is doing an incredible job working towards her goal of ensuring everyone knows they can be a biologist, and Tsegaye continues to be a STEM advocate and role model. We’ve loved following their journeys!
Science is a process, and also a community
Science is, definitionally, a process. From a certain point of view, it’s all about the journey. The next two scientists asked us to consider who we’re on that journey with.
Dr. Emily Choy, Arctic Marine Biologist, talked about the impact of northern communities on her work, “The work I have been part of has actually tried to look at both science and traditional knowledge to see how they complement, how they can work together. […] I’m most proud of the fact that it was a community-based monitoring project. We work to enlighten issues in the north such as the impacts of climate change on beluga whales and arctic char and I think going forward when we’re addressing complex issues such as climate change, we need to tap into the talent and knowledge of all communities, in particular northern communities, to address these issues.”
Wildlife Filmmaker and Educator Julian Victor gave short and sweet advice for future scientists, “Surround yourself with people who believe in you and who will want to nurture your passion. Reach out to people who you admire – don’t be afraid to reach out to people!”
At Scientists in School, we are proud of our place in our vibrant community. In sharing tools, amplifying voices, and teaching the next generation of scientists, we are on a constant journey of discovery with countless teachers, youth leaders, and young scientists.
Motivation to take with you
Our final piece of advice comes from Ice Cream Scientist Dr. Maya Warren in the form of a piece of motivation that resonates with her.
“I wear a bracelet that says, she believed she could, so she did, and I like to add and then she did again. Meaning that I never stop. I want to be able to reach the highest limits in life that I possibly can.”
A bracelet, community, a mathematical equation, the flora and fauna of your hometown, beluga snot – STEM is everywhere and in everything. This Black History Month, we’re proud to have explored science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with these insightful Black STEM experts!
Do you know a STEM expert we should interview in our Spotlight series? Email inquiries@scientistsinschool.ca with the name and area of expertise of your nominee!
Scientists in School is a Canadian science outreach charity dedicated to sparking children’s interest in STEM through hands-on discovery. Explore our workshops and help us turn your young learners into young scientists.
