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STAN is vibrant and bristling with potential. Over the last year and a half, a renewal of STAN has unfolded with a new strategic plan, an updated website, a quarterly newsletter and a social media presence. This is due to the efforts of an inspired board and hard-working and innovative coordinator. With recent elections adding two new board members to the six who’ve served in the last couple years, we now are a team of eight. Add to this the amazing network of people, such as those who gathered on February 22 at our annual Conference and it’s clear that STAN is on track to make 2017 a great year!
Our goal is to strengthen science and technology culture across Canada and to serve as a catalyst for communication and collaboration. How do you see STAN achieving this goal? How can STAN support the important work that you do? We are, after all, a network – your network! We succeed when you succeed. That’s why we begin 2017 ready to connect with you to hear what you would like from STAN. We also need you to engage with STAN and help be a part of our work and achievements.
So I’m inviting every one of you to...
Lead Infectiously – help STAN strengthen STEM culture and share what motivates you. Give us the opportunity to showcase the inspirational things you do.
Network authentically – use the tools STAN created that work for you, tell us what we need to keep, stop or start doing to connect you to those who can make a real difference in your efforts.
Keep us on track – STAN needs to “Never let success get to our head, never let failure get to our heart”. Indeed we have made some investments in STAN 2.0, and this renewal is creating a buzz, but there will be bumps in the road and the work isn’t done. We need the network to help us keep the momentum going.
I hope you take up this invitation to stay in touch with us. I look forward to the year ahead, and to serving STAN.
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— Sandra Corbeil, STAN President
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If you are not yet registered to receive this newsletter, follow the link to the right to sign-up to receive quarterly emails.
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March for Science planned in Vancouver to support work of scientific community in face of Trump era
The Georgia Straight, March 9, 2017
The US Government Share Of Science Funding Hits Record Low
IFL Science, March 1, 2017
Letter: Let the “A” in arts put the steam in STEM
The Telegram, March 7, 2017
Canadian government launches campaign to get more women in STEM
CTV News, February 12, 2017
When pigs fly: Fake science conferences abound for fraud and profit
Canoe.com, March 10, 2017
Help Recruit Ontario's First Chief Science Officer
Government of Ontario, March 14, 2017
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Inviting Canadians to observe the August 21 solar eclipse
On August 21, 2017, a solar eclipse will be visible across Canada. Although the total eclipse is only visible in the United States, the partial eclipse will provide a great show for Canadians as the Moon will cover up to 90% of the solar diameter in some areas. Several observing activities will be organized across the country and we invite all groups and organizations to plan an activity for this spectacular event.
To help you, Discover the Universe will offer a webinar on May 16th to inform educators and teachers interested in the subject. We will discuss eclipses in general, ideas for activities and how to observe the eclipse safely. To register for this free webinar: www.discovertheuniverse.ca
To learn about activities in your area or to get help, consider contacting the astronomy departments at your local colleges or universities as well as astronomy clubs such as those from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (www.rasc.ca).
We hope this event will be a success and that thousands of Canadians will have the chance to observe this eclipse. Above all, we wish you nice weather on August 21!
—Julie Bolduc-Duval, Discover the Universe
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We have good news for you; Science Odyssey 2017 promises to be a huge success! Last year during the first edition, we brought together 341 partners who organized 626 events all across Canada. This year, the list of potential partners is approaching 600! No one wants to be left out!
We invite you to start planning your activities and aligning your events to coincide with the Science Odyssey dates from May 12 to 21, 2017. On our side, we are working hard to revamp the Science Odyssey website. Very soon the new and improved registration form will be available online.
We are adding new functionalities to the website; events will be easier to find by the public through a user-friendly database and search engine. The map of events will be improved, as well as the opportunities to feature and promote your events and activities.
We hope to count on you as a Science Odyssey 2017 partner. If you have questions or comments please contact Science Odyssey at scienceodyssey@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
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STEM 150 – Looking Ahead:
STAN Annual Conference 2017 a Success!
The STAN annual Conference, held on February 22, gathered 100 participants at the Ontario Science Centre. Our first keynote speaker, Derek Phillips of Google, struck a chord with STAN members when he said “collaboration is key” and that there is no excuse for not working with others. As Derek spoke about what he considers significant attributes of future STEM leaders (Curiosity, Flexibility, Empathy and Passion); I observed many nodding heads. STAN will foster these qualities among our members just as we continue to encourage collaboration.
Amy Cook, STAN board member, chaired the Conference Committee this year. She recently shared feedback from the Conference survey. It’s clear the opportunity to network, as well as the mix of traditional and unconference sessions, resonated with participants.
“It was very exciting and helpful to meet with people outside the formal education system. As a high school teacher, I felt it was an invaluable experience.”
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STAN 2017 Conference participant
We’re still thinking about the great conversations that we had at the annual STAN Conference, are you? Whether you connected with someone during a health break, sat with them to hear inspiring words by the panellists or keynote speakers, or engaged in deep dialogue during the breakout sessions, you likely met someone new, or reconnected with a long-time contact. For many, this in-person contact is the best part of a STAN Conference. These connections are not serendipitous; the Conference committee crafted a recipe to ensure the day was loaded with networking opportunities.
“UNCONFERENCING! This is one of the few situations I've been in where I felt that unconference style was actually being used effectively. The ability to follow flow of conversation, and allow each person input and direction is SO valuable.”
— STAN 2017 Conference participant
How can you carry this momentum into your work as STEM advocates and communicators? Step One: Stay connected with STAN members. If you’ve not renewed your STAN membership coordinates be sure to do that today, and tell your network to do the same! If you are a LinkedIn user, join the LinkedIn group. Step Two: Reach out using STAN by sharing items for the next newsletter in May, or by posting to the LinkedIn Group. Step Three: Engage with each other, have conversations and continue to share. And of course, be sure to attend future STAN Conferences and networking activities.
In the coming weeks, to help you continue to get the most out of the Conference, we’ll be sharing a full Conference Report as well as videos of the panels and keynotes, so watch for these on the STAN website in the Member Resources section.
Thanks for helping us in creating a successful Conference!
—
The STAN Board of Directors
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