Speaker
Description
The Innovation, Diversity, Exploration, and Advancement in STEM (IDEAS) Initiative is a national EDI-focused outreach program run out of Queen’s University. IDEAS utilizes a multi-generational approach to outreach, aiming to coordinate historically under-represented individuals within STEM in fostering an interest towards the natural sciences in Canadian youths. The IDEAS Initiative has run an extensive collection of outreach programs and events following this mission since 2019.
Volunteer scientists lead experiments, projects, and confidence building activities both in-person and online to encourage development of self-identity and a sense of belonging to STEM within participants. In parallel, the IDEAS Initiative provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in teaching and outreach training workshops as a cornerstone of a network-building objective. This maximizes its impact beyond a local scope as support is offered to projects run by members nationally.
The IDEAS Initiative is a major EDI and outreach arm of both the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute and the Queen’s University Department of Physics, Engineering Physics & Astronomy. Teaching philosophy, performance, and prospects of the IDEAS Initiative will be discussed.
| Keyword-1 | EDI |
|---|---|
| Keyword-2 | Outreach |
| Keyword-3 | IDEAS Initiative |
