Let’s Talk Science is looking for volunteers

by Heidi Riley

Let’s Talk Science is a national charitable organization which prepares youth for evolving career and citizenship demands in a rapidly changing world.

Eyitayo Ajibaibi and Anonto Prantor are the two Let’s Talk Science site coordinators from UPEI.

“We want to make it fun and engaging for students to learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and how it affects their daily lives,” says Eyitayo. “We provide resources for educators in classrooms to use so we can engage students in STEM subjects.”

Program resources are provided at no cost to students, thanks to their many donors and partners. Programs are aligned with curriculum and are accessible in English and in French.

The outreach program connects youth with trained post-secondary volunteers to make hands-on science activities fun for students from early years through grade 12. The program operates out of over 55 post-secondary institutions across Canada and has over 3,500 volunteers.

Volunteers are provided with all the training, materials, guides, and anything else they need to be successful.

Volunteers do not need to have studied science. “They have very different backgrounds but share a common passion for STEM,” says Eyitayo. “Undergrads, graduate students, professionals, or other people enthusiastic about STEM are welcome to join the program.”

Volunteer opportunities with Let’s Talk Science

• Classroom outreach: Teachers can request a visit from a Let’s Talk Science volunteer to cover a specific topic in the classroom. Volunteers are trained and are given all the materials they need as well as instructions and a script. Volunteers visit the classroom to deliver the outreach activities for the teachers. This gives students supplemental activities to go along with the materials they are learning in class.
• Community group visits with such organizations as Girl Guides, Scouts, or a local library, which can request visits around a certain topic.
• Booth activities at public events.
• Prepare kits and materials for another volunteer.
• Participate in rural trips to reach more students outside urban areas.

Volunteers must be over 18 or over, and must pass a criminal record check. They can pick and choose how they choose to participate, based on their preferences. The time commitment is about two hours per volunteer activity. “We are grateful for your time, and we will make sure you are well trained to go into the classroom.”

The volunteer process

• Teachers request a visit from the program with a specific grade level and activity in mind.
• Coordinators send out an email highlighting opportunities and looking for volunteers
• Volunteers can choose the activities that suit their schedule
• Coordinators connect the volunteer with the teacher and determine the date/time/location of the visit
• Coordinators prepare the materials for the activity and arrange for the volunteer to pick up the materials
• The volunteer will visit the school at the arranged time and deliver the activity. The cost of transportation to and from the school is covered by the program.

Benefits of volunteering with Let’s Talk Science

• Opportunities to grow your experience working with youth and become a role model.
• Develop your resumé and your skills.
• Join a huge network of volunteers from coast to coast who support these initiatives.
• Develop communication and leadership skills.
• Network with professionals in various industries and sectors through donor partners who offer networking events throughout the year virtually and in-person.
• Free professional development opportunities and webinars. Once you complete your basic volunteer training online, you will have access to other courses such as how to create age-appropriate STEM activities, respecting Indigenous world perspectives and realities, creating disability-inclusive science learning environments, supporting youth through eco-anxiety talks about how climate change can have a negative effect on youth mental health, and how to make STEM activities more environmentally sustainable and use less consumable material. Upon completion of these courses, volunteers receive a certificate to add to their resumé.
• Make a difference in the lives of youth.

Volunteer activity is recorded and tracked, and they can provide you with your volunteer record when you are applying for jobs or any other reason you need proof of your volunteer hours. If you choose to move to another site, or you are accepted at another university that has a Let’s Talk Science program, your volunteer record moves with you.

Long-term benefits of volunteering

• Valuable volunteer experience to list on your resume
• Professional development opportunities
• Receive reference letters
• National awards nominations
• Opportunities to work with Let’s Talk Science
• LinkedIn Learning Licences

How to get started

• Create an account at the volunteer poral at https://volunteer.app.letstalkscience.ca
• Once the account is approved, complete the basic volunteer training course.
• When you complete the course, notify the coordinators and you are ready to volunteer.