What's your demographic?
STEM Kids Rock is a Free Mobile Science Centre for kids by kids. When I was growing up, my love for Science didn't come from the classroom, rather it came from experiences at the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo and the Royal Ontario Museum. My love of Science came from being outside and exploring, making messes, going to the David Dunlap Observatory, visiting museums in Ottawa, Chicago, and New York. I was never pushed into Science in anyway, in fact, I was the kid with two unidentified learning disabilities that struggled in elementary school, so for me, learning outside of the classroom was a gift. In my own time, I fell more and more in love with Science and why I feel STEM Kids Rock is really important for kids who might not have the opportunity to explore a museum, have a chance to do science experiments, robotics, and engineering challenges and feel science smart!
On May 11, STEM Kids Rock participated in our 5th Science Rendezvous. What is Science Rendezvous? It is an incredible Canada-wide free family science event that gathers amazing Canadian scientists and gives them a chance to share their passions & expertise with the next generation. From 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, all across Canada, kids and their parents get a chance to explore science and lots of it! It is by far the most exciting event that STEM Kids Rock and our incredible STEM Squad gets to participate in.
Yesterday, was amazing and got me reflecting on a question that I always get asked, "What is your demographic?"
The answer is easy, this is my demographic, this is why STEM Kids Rock did 73 free events last year, this is why I want to see it grow to be a national charitable organization that mentors kids of all abilities to teach and inspire their peers. It starts with a conversation and overtime, our volunteers gain confidence, help someone else feel science smart, and become leaders that are inspiring the next STEM generation.
Thank you, Science Rendezvous, York University, the City of Markham, and our incredible STEM Squad, my heart is full and can't wait for Science Rendezvous 2020!
Keeley Aird is the co-founder of STEM Kids Rock, a kid powered organization whose mission is to inspire, engage & empower the next generation of STEM leaders through early & often exposure to Science. The STEM Kids Rock Free Mobile Science Centre empowers kids of all ages and abilities to teach their peers about STEM. Since its inception, STEM Kids Rock has engaged and inspired over 150,000 youth at over 300 free community events, libraries, museums, camps, conferences, Scouts, Guides, STEAM nights, festivals and fun fairs. Keeley is a Guinness World Record Title Holder for the Largest Water Rocket as well as a member of the Toronto FC Special Olympics Ontario Unified Team, High-5 All Abilities Soccer Coach, and advocate for homeless youth through 360kids. She is a recent graduate of the Ontario Science Centre's Science School Semester 73, attends St. Brother André High School in Markham, and will be attending McMaster University in the fall to pursue a bachelors degree in Chemistry.
