Now in its fourth year, the Girls and STEAM symposium at Science World is a virtual day packed with workshops, hands-on activities, panel discussions, and an interactive mentorship component.
Girls and STEAM Symposium at Science World
On Saturday, November 6, 2021, Science World will livestream Girls and STEAM for free, with the aim of preparing British Columbia’s youth for the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art + Design, Math) heavy job landscape of the future. The event will be opened by keynote speaker and popular science communicator, Dr. Samantha Yammine and runs from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
Girls and STEAM gives girls dreaming of future careers in STEAM a space to learn about a variety of scientific topics and careers from experts and mentors. Last year’s digital event saw 2,500 attendees from across the country participate.
With Canada facing a major gap in gender diversity in STEM careers, Girls and STEAM endeavours to inspire, engage and empower girls to pursue research-focused and technical careers by connecting them with female professionals and learning opportunities to help address the major gap in gender diversity that Canada is facing in these fields.
“The gender gap in STEM fields continues to be an issue with only a quarter of jobs today held by women,” said Tracy Redies, President and CEO of Science World.
“Women are less likely to choose a career in STEM than other fields and we believe in the importance of connecting girls to mentors at an early age to transform this. This is our hallmark annual Girls & STEAM event, we added an ‘A’ to include arts & design, and we also now host monthly mentorship events meant to nurture a love for STEAM-related careers on an ongoing basis. Diversity in these fields is essential to ensuring that all voices and ideas are brought to the table and equally respected. It’s imperative that we start this process today.”
Schedule for Girls and STEAM
- 9:00am: Opening Keynote with Science Sam, followed by interactive Q&A.
- 10:00am: Interactive workshop exploring how disease researchers track outbreaks. Participants will participate in predictions and surveys during the workshop and learn about free online tools they can use to explore other genetic activities after the event.
- 10:30am: Interactive mentor panels where participants can ask questions of mentors in a wide range of STEAM career fields.
- 11:00am: Participants can explore virtual booths from the online industry showcase. Discover amazing careers that are available with some of BC’s top science and technology organizations through videos, images, and links to more information about each group.
- 11:30am: Second interactive mentor panel session with new mentors and careers.
- 12:00pm: Closing remarks.
Throughout the online event there will also be spectacular science demonstrations and fun try-at-home activities from Science World. All mentor sessions will be available to stream after the event on Science World’s YouTube channel.
There will also be a 20-minute workshop hosted by Genome BC in which participants will have the chance to solve a fictional viral outbreak with real-world online tools that scientists use to compare DNA sequences and explore how viruses can spread through a community.
Participants are invited to learn more and register online here.
Join the Association of Fundraising Professionals (“AFP”) Vancouver at virtual event for National Philanthropy Day that will recognize 2020 & 2021 Giving Hearts Awards nominees.
National Philanthropy Day 2021
Whether by committing countless hours of fundraising efforts, donating a lifetime of savings or making pivotal gifts, each of the 2020 & 2021 Giving Hearts Awards nominees embody the true spirit of philanthropy. Join AFP in recognizing the incredible generosity and contributions of these individuals, companies and organizations.
Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
The annual All Souls, a unique artist-led event which offers people in Vancouver the opportunity to memorialize loved ones who have passed, returns to Mountain View Cemetery for its 17th year.
All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery
Starting October 27, people are invited to create personal memorials for their passed loved ones and place them on a public shrine at Mountain View Cemetery until November 1, 2021.
With the twin crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and opioid epidemic separating us from our loved ones, All Souls offers a respectful opportunity to grieve and reflect among community during this critical time.
All Souls will once again feature familiar shrines, including a special tribute to the plum tree that has held the memorial cradles in the infant burial area. Socially distanced mourners can also reflect and leave offerings at the ‘reDress’ memorial for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls where red dresses line the distinctive Crimson King maple tree.
Starting Wednesday, October 20th, Memorial box lanterns will be available outside Mountain View Cemetery’s office to take home and personalize. Memorials may be brought back to the cemetery to be placed on one of the outdoor shrines starting October 27th, or post a picture of your home shrine on the All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery Facebook page. All Souls organizers also invite people to visit the popular triptych, located outside, and write the names of their ancestors, family and friends. Those unable to attend may send the names by email, to be added by the artists.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures, the 2021 activities for All Souls will be held largely online. The City and organizers of All Souls will adhere to public health orders for any on-site programming and ensure a respectful and safe environment for all participants to mourn and remember their loved ones.
Virtual Events
- Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm
- A ‘Memorial Box Lantern Demonstration’ with artist Marina Szijarto, who will share instructions on crafting a personal memorial for the All Souls shrine, or personal at home shrines. RSVP to info(at)nightforallsouls(dot)com for the Zoom link.
- Friday, October 29, 2021 from 7:30pm to 8:30pm
- Introduction to Ancestral Lineage Healing, an online circle hosted by artist Marina Szijarto.
- Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm
- Mourner’s Tea, an online community dialogue about death and grieving through personal experiences.
On October 27th, videos and photos of the lighting of the central fire, the personalized shrines and candle-lit spaces will be posted on Facebook and Instagram through November 1st.
All Souls History
All Souls at Mountain View emerged out of a collaboration between artists Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto, who came together in 2005 to find artistic ways to honour the dead and provide opportunities for people to share their traditions in a gentle and tranquil atmosphere.
Mountain View Cemetery, located at Fraser Street and East 39th Avenue, opened in 1886 and is the only cemetery within Vancouver. Owned and operated by the City of Vancouver, the cemetery is an important civic space and provides interment options and event space.
The cemetery is an embodiment of Vancouver’s history, serving as the final resting place of almost 150,000 people, including several past mayors; veterans from World Wars; notable citizens such as Vancouver’s first lifeguard Joe Fortes and businessman and activist Yip Sang; and people of varied faiths, ethnicities, ages and contributions to Vancouver’s past, present and future.
The Bloom Group is celebrating 60 years of providing housing, health and social services to those in need in Vancouver with an online virtual event, 60 Years in Bloom, on October 21st.
60 Years in Bloom
- When: Thursday, October 21, 2021 7:00pm to 8:00pm, Pre-event: 6:30pm
- Where: Online
- Tickets: $60, available online now
This interactive virtual event features an exciting line up of engaging activities: Online games, silent auction, sixties costume contest, video stories, prizes, music by DiverCity, and more. The evening’s host will be Am Johal, and there will be opening remarks from Hon. Melanie Mark, MLA for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant.
The silent auction is on now, closing October 25, 2021, featuring an exciting array of products and services from local businesses and artisans.
100% of funds raised will support The Bloom Group‘s “House to Home Campaign” to provide essentials in making a home: renovations, furniture, medical equipment, gardens and a transition fund.
Since 1961, The Bloom Group has led many of our community’s most progressive social services to reduce homelessness, provide end-of-life care for individuals with mental health challenges and addictions, ensure women-led families in crisis can stay together as they rebuild their lives, and much more. Their ‘low-barrier’ services are inclusive and available to all individuals in need, regardless of their circumstances, and without conditions.
I first learned about the Bloom Group’s work when I was a judge and sponsor of the Yule Duel caroling-for-a-cause event in Downtown Vancouver (2016-2019). Follow The Bloom Group on Facebook for more info and get your tickets to 60 Years in Bloom online here.
The #BuyBasin Festival is back! It features 100 entrepreneurs, businesses and entertainers from the Columbia Basin area live on social media promoting their products and services through storytelling. If you’re looking to shop local and support local now, and for the upcoming holiday season, this is your one-stop shop for finding amazing gifts, products, and entertainment.
The #BuyBasin Festival is Back – Watch Live Online
- When: October 18 to November 10, 2021
- Where: On Facebook Live and Instagram Live
- Admission: FREE! Browse the schedule, click and watch a business go live.
“Buying locally is extremely important when it comes to supporting Basin businesses and entrepreneurs. There is a diverse range of products and services available to people living in the Basin, many of which will be featured during the #BuyBasin Festival,” said Katie Kendall, Senior Manager of Special Initiatives with Columbia Basin Trust.
“By spending dollars in the region, shoppers can purchase unique, local items while helping businesses adapt to changes brought on by the pandemic so they can remain stable over the long term, while also employing more local residents.”
Five days a week, up to six businesses will go live on social media to reveal expert tips, demonstrate their products and provide behind-the-scenes access—alongside performances from a range of entertainers. Over the four-week festival, about 100 businesses will highlight their offerings.
Tune in to see Lisa from Metalicart in Pass Creek craft custom pieces with a hammer and anvil in her forge. And see how Rob and Isabelle from Little Piece of Paradise Farm in Winlaw make their hand-harvested, small batch, organic teas. Don’t forget to watch the live entertainment! Stay tuned for the music and performer lineup.
In addition to showcasing the unique products and services available locally, the #BuyBasin Festival also strengthens local businesses by teaching them how to be effective online and through social media. To participate in the event, each business is trained on how to go live on social media, build social media strategies and tell their unique story online.
In spring 2021, the festival featured 112 local business owners, entrepreneurs and artists, resulting in increased awareness of their goods and services and additional sales.
Share a Video, Enter to Win
The festival is presented by the Columbia Basin Trust, Basin Business Advisors and FestivalSeekers. FestivalSeekers will be featuring all the videos on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Share a video from the #BuyBasin Festival and you’ll be entered to win $50 to spend at your favourite local businesses. Every video you share is another chance to win!
