I have worked for and volunteered with many organizations aimed at promoting youth in STEM. I am always pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful and insightful questions asked by young students. Their solutions to the workshop problems are always creative and effective. I am inspired by our youth and love that I can have a positive impact in their lives by facilitating their excitement over science and engineering.
DiscoverE, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta
Instructor, Coordinator, Mentor
DiscoverE is an initiative of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta, aiming to inspire and engage youth in STEM through exciting and fun programs.
I started volunteering with DiscoverE’s Girls Engineering Mentorship (GEM) Club as a mentor from 2009-2011 (4 terms). In the summer of 2011 I was hired as an instructor for in-classroom workshops and computer camps. In the fall of 2011 I worked as the GEM Club coordinator, where I led a team of 11 volunteers. Since then, each year I have volunteered as a guest mentor, where I discuss a different topic related to my research. DiscoverE really fostered my love for teaching and mentoring.
Electrical Engineering Club
President
I was President of the Electrical Engineering Club at the University of Alberta during my last 2 years of undergrad (2011-2013). We took part in many social and academic initiatives to engage electrical engineering students with each other and industry. We also engaged the community as a part of Geer Week, along with the other engineering clubs. Each year we went to the Telus World of Science to demonstrate to kids what engineers do.
WISEST, University of Alberta
Volunteer
WISEST (Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, & Technology) is a group at the University of Alberta that aims to create programs to empower women to pursue their interests in STEM.
I volunteered with WISEST as an activity coordinator for their Choices Conference (Grade 6 girls) in 2010 and 2011, as well as their SET Conference (Grade 12 girls) in 2013.
U of A Orientation
Presentation Facilitor
I volunteered for High School Orientation at the University of Alberta in 2011 and 2012. In both years, I worked in a group to write scripts and film hour long presentations. Both years we won the Best Presentation Award chosen by the students.
Science Fairs
Judge and Mentor
I have volunteered for several science fairs at the School and Regional levels in Edmonton, serving as both a mentor and a judge.
Edmonton Regional Public Schools Science Fair (2015, 2016)
Aurora Elementary School Science Fair (2015)
Nellie McClung Science Olympics (2014)
Other
SCI Alberta Virtual Peer Talk: Presentation about my research to people in Alberta living with a spinal cord injury (2018)
Engineering First Year Night: Guest Speaker (2016)
Electrical and Computer Engineering Week Technical Talks: Guest Speaker (2015, 2016)
Read-ins: Went to various elementary schools to read books to students and talk about going to university and being a scientist (2014-2015)
Ashley Dalrymple, PhD 