IMS Students' Association Partners with Pueblo Science to Encourage Kids to Pursue STEM
This fall the IMS Students' Association (IMSSA) partnered with Pueblo Science to help organize their popular annual fundraising event Good Morning Science.
Pueblo Science is a Toronto-based charity founded by University of Toronto (UofT) Professor Dr. Cynthia Goh and alumna Dr. Mayrose Salvador, whose mission is to reduce poverty by advancing science education and fostering innovation in low-resource communities.
IMSSA became involved with Pueblo Science through IMS PhD student Hamzah Khan.
Hamzah's Story
Hamzah's parents come from a rural town in Pakistan, where most of his family still resides. When he was in high school in Canada, his cousin back in Pakistan passed away from complications of kidney failure. The death of his cousin - which likely could have been prevented with better access to healthcare - inspired Hamzah to advocate for health equity, and to pursue his interest in science and its ability to positively impact underserved communities.
Hamzah first became involved with Pueblo Science during his undergraduate degree at UofT when he spent time teaching high school students in Thailand through its Rural Initiative for Science Education program. He had an incredible experience in Thailand and has been a supporter of Pueblo Science ever since.
Witnessing firsthand the impact of limited resources on health outcomes motivated me to contribute to Pueblo Science, where I can help advance science education and foster innovation in low-resource communities.Hamzah Khan, IMSSA Co-President & PhD Student
Good Morning Science
As IMSSA Co-President, Hamzah saw the perfect opportunity for IMS students to partner with Pueblo Science to organize the Good Morning Science event, which inspires kids to pursue STEM via hands-on experiments on topics including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering and more. Attendees also enjoyed breakfast, a science magic show, live animal meet and greet, and a silent auction.
IMSSA played a prominent role in creating and guiding the science activities, with two dozen IMS student instructors actively engaging with over a hundred participants. Notable experiments included creating circuits with playdough for electrical contact, exploring sounds and vibrations through record players, delving into forensic science with a crime scene investigation, and understanding the code of life by isolating DNA from fruits.
Funds were successfully raised to support Pueblo Science's ongoing work in the Philippines and First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.
Getting Involved
Pueblo Science is seeking new volunteers for various projects, such as filming videos on UofT research for the public, teaching virtually at First Nations primary and secondary schools, organizing summer programs and preparing for next year's Good Morning Science event.
If IMS students are interested in getting involved, they can sign up for Pueblo Science's volunteer mailing list or connect with them directly to discuss opportunities.
