Cape Breton University to Highlight STEM Careers for Young Women

CBU’s Island WISE Team: Judy MacInnis, Loree D’Orsay and Melissa Deane

Cape Breton University’s Island WISE will continue with fun and educational events that invite women and girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) thanks to funding support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) PromoScience program. Island WISE will receive $27,400 a year for three years to develop free programs, including popular summer camps that offer STEM activities for young girls across Cape Breton. Outreach activities over the next three years will also include a focus on rural and remote populations, Indigenous and French language communities. The Island WISE program kicks-off with a science retreat for girls ages 12-18, titled Giving Back to the Future on Saturday, May 10, at CBU.

The program at CBU was initiated by Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie in 2010 as an annual event. Dr. MacQuarrie, who now serves as CBU’s Dean of Science at Technology, rebranded the program originally called WISE, as Island WISE in 2016 to reflect the broader goal of bringing STEM activities to young girls and women across Cape Breton Island.

Melissa Deane, Professional Engineer, Chair and Senior Instructor in CBU’s Engineering Department, is one of three co-leads for Island WISE, having gathered a network of STEM professionals from CBU and beyond. Deane says that while she submitted the application for the funding, it was made possible thanks to a team effort. Loree D’Orsay, Professional Chemical Engineer, also Senior Instructor in the department, and Judy MacInnis, Senior Lab Instructor in Chemistry, were key contributors to the application and program development and will continue as part of the leadership team for upcoming events and activities. Deane says they hope to serve as role models for Island WISE participants.

“We currently see women performing in less than 25 per cent of STEM careers,” says Deane. “Each member of the Island WISE team sees an excellent opportunity to share their passion and help women, girls and underrepresented groups to see themselves in STEM careers.” She adds that over the past three years, more than 300 young women have participated in Island WISE programs, including 100 Indigenous girls between the ages of 12 and 18.

“Through inclusive Island WISE events, we’re encouraging early engagement in STEM for girls and young women, embracing all identities, while providing accessible and inspiring STEM role models and mentors in both formal and informal settings,” says Deane. “We’re also growing in-community activities, removing geographic and transportation barriers.”

The CBU team includes faculty from biology, chemistry and engineering, as well as Dr. Stephanie Ruel, who teaches organizational management in the Shannon School of Business. “The girls who take part in the programs are awestruck to learn that Dr. Ruel was Life Sciences Mission Manager at the Canadian Space Agency for almost 20 years,” Deane says, adding that the team is multi-faceted.  Other team members include Jennifer Sawlor, who serves as the Sea and Land Based Learning Lead for Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, as well as Sara Evely, a professional engineer working as assistant project manager for Pomerleau on the Cape Breton Regional Hospital  expansion.

“We are so grateful to Jen and Sara for their contributions as part of the Island WISE team,” Deane says, reiterating the importance of diversity in the mentorship approach. “If you can see it, you can be it.”

As Island WISE approaches 15 years of community engagement, its founder, Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie, is proud to see the growth of the program and the dedication of the team.  “This program is focused on building networks and pathways to motivate young women and girls to pursue STEM careers, addressing barriers they may face, and creating opportunities for passionate individuals to transition from participants to mentors, fostering continuous growth in STEM fields,” says Dr. MacQuarrie. “Congratulations to Melissa and her team for building a wonderful program that will serve that pursuit well over next three years.”

The Island WISE team also acknowledges industry sponsors, Marine Atlantic and Protocase along with ACAP – Cape Breton, BrainSTEM Alliance and Cape Breton University for their support. Visit the website at www.islandwisecbu.ca and click the events tab for more information about Island WISE.