NOVEMber 2008 issue
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WISEST Celebrates Past Successes And Prepares for New Ones
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WISEST FOLKS Long-time APEGGA Outreach and Iron Ring volunteers check out a fitting selection of mementos to commemorate 25 years of WISEST. From left are Bob Rose, P.Eng, of ATCO, his wife, Hilary Rose, a vice-president with TR Labs and a WISEST committee member, and Arlene Howell-Pick, P.Eng., of Stantec, a WISEST committee member. |
The Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton buzzed with excitement on Sunday, Oct. 19, in celebration of 25 years of one group’s promotion of under-represented groups in scholarship, engineering, science and technology. The anniversary party for WISEST marked a quarter century of work — and launched new collaborative programs for the next quarter century.
More than 200 people attended an afternoon celebration filled with food, hands-on science experiments, and opportunities to network with students, alumni, and new- and long-time supporters from industry, government, academia and the school systems. Keynote speakers highlighted WISEST’s accomplishments and offered support for future initiatives.
The acronym WISEST stands for Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science and Technology. Based at the University of Alberta, the group has parlayed its volunteer, partner and financial support into a suite of programs that have helped about 15,000 people so far. It relies on about 600 volunteers per year, led by the WISEST board and five committees — program, public and professional awareness, research, fundraising and student liaison.
WISEST programs are designed to increase participants’ awareness and opportunities for future success in the fields of scholarship, engineering, science and technology. WISEST founding members included a diverse community. Among them are two founders from APEGGA — Martha Watson, P.Eng., a senior engineer with ATCO, and Muriel Cheriton, P.Eng., longtime APEGGA volunteer.
At the anniversary celebration, students in the WISEST 2008 Summer Research Program presented their research posters and entertained attendees with their scientific knowledge and passion. These students, now in Grade 12, “shone as they spoke about their WISEST experiences, reconnected with alumni, and clearly proved that their future in science, research and technology is bright and just beginning,” said Gail Powley, P.Eng., the vice-chair of WISEST.
“The science experiments were a hit with everyone — young and old — with the kids in attendance taking a special interest as they ran around the Jubilee foyer in excitement between the various science stations,” said Ms. Powley. “They learned how to make ice cream using liquid nitrogen and how to create goo. They performed lung capacity tests, used a chemical process to change a flower’s colour, and did much more, too.
“The excitement and passion for science exhibited by the children and adults taking part in the experiments showed what WISEST is all about — fostering lifelong commitments to, and interest in science.”
WISEST launched its next 25 years with its Invitation to Collaboration — to partners long-time and new — to work together to deliver new programs. Speakers provided background on the provincial and national shortages of professionals in science and engineering — and how now, more than ever, there’s a need for programs that create a larger and more diverse and innovative workforce in scholarship, engineering, science and technology.
Current statistics indicate that national enrolments are less than 18 per cent women in first-year university engineering and computer science programs — and the percentage is declining. WISEST has been enlisted to participate on provincial and national taskforces to address the situation.
From discussions with key stake-holders, WISEST has identified five strategic initiatives.
1. Scientist-in-Residence, bringing young local industry scientists, engineers, and technologists and academic role models together with exciting real world science projects to engage entire schools in communities across Alberta — promoting a rich science and entrepreneurial culture for all.
2. WISER Mentor Network of industry, government and academic communities brought together to support early career researchers and professionals, for next generation collaborative innovation. Mentors from industry have been identified as one of the highest needs for young women researchers and early career professionals.
3. Professional Networks of science and engineering career professionals, to provide support, inspiration and solutions for career development and work/life balance. Over 75 per cent of women in engineering (as shown in a 2008 Harvard Business Review report) have stated an interest for such programs, and some corporate-supported programs have doubled their numbers of female engineers and scientists in the workforce.
4. WISEST Innovative Communities Program, extending WISEST’s current, well-established student programs to communities across Alberta through increased university and college collaboration, to the benefit of school-age students and the local community.
5. Science and Engineering Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with organizations such as Alberta Women Entrepreneurs to encourage entrepreneurship, at student, university and career professional levels. The SET for Success Professional Network will be the first program element in this initiative.
Excitement was high, with two of the initiatives starting at the end of October.
More Info
Event, Partnership and Sponsorship Opportunities
Visit www.wisest.ualberta.ca
Or
Contact Gail Powley, P.Eng.
gail.powley@ualberta.ca
780-405-5974
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