April 2024 Newsletter

Hello!

Welcome to the second edition of STEM Spotlight, STEM Unites’ exciting glimpse into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! This month’s edition will focus on the exciting world of science. Get ready for a featured scientist, entertaining projects, career profiles, resources, and more!

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into this edition and let the adventure begin! Happy exploring!

Featured Scientist: Marie Curie

We'd like to start this month's edition by introducing a fantastic scientist, Marie Curie, whose groundbreaking work has profoundly impacted the scientific world. Join us and get ready to be inspired by this extraordinary scientist!

Who was Marie Curie?

Marie Curie was a woman of remarkable resilience and intelligence. Born in 1867, she faced numerous challenges in her early years but persevered in her pursuit of knowledge. In 1891, Curie moved to Paris, where she enrolled at the Sorbonne and earned a master's degree in physics and a degree in mathematics by 1894. Her passion for science continued when she worked in physicist Gabriel Lippman’s research laboratory, further enriching her understanding of the field of physics. In her studies, her path became intertwined with Pierre Curie, whom she married in 1895. This partnership would later prove to be immensely influential to the scientific world.

What were Marie Curie’s accomplishments?

Marie Curie's achievements in the realm of science are nothing short of extraordinary. Alongside her husband Pierre, in 1898, she discovered two new elements: polonium and radium. In 1903, Curie made history as the first woman in France to earn a doctoral degree and the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics for her groundbreaking research on radioactivity. Even after her husband’s death in 1906, Curie's dedication to science persisted. In 1911, she received her second Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her pioneering work in isolating pure radium. She remains the only woman to win the award in two different fields, displaying her sheer significance to the scientific community.

After a life of brilliance, Marie Curie died on July 4, 1934, leaving a significant legacy shaped by her invaluable contributions to the fields of chemistry and physics. Her groundbreaking research laid the foundation for current scientific advancements. Notably, her work with radiation continues to contribute to innovations in cancer treatment and other medical treatments. Moreover, Curie's unwavering dedication, resilience, and perseverance serve as a source of inspiration for people worldwide, reinforcing her status as a truly remarkable individual.

Marie Curie's Legacy

DIY Science Project: Making Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag

After diving into the inspiring life of Marie Curie, let's cool things down a bit with a delicious experiment: making your own ice cream! We’re going to explore the science behind freezing and turning cream into a tasty treat. Let’s dig in!

Ingredients needed...

- 4 oz of milk

- 4 oz of cream

- ¼ tsp of vanilla (or other flavours)

- 4 tsp of sugar

- Plenty of ice

- About a ½ cup of salt, rock salt works best

- Small zip-lock freezer bag

- Large zip-lock freezer bag

- A few drops of food colouring (optional)

What to do...

1. Put the milk, cream, flavouring, colouring, and sugar into the SMALL zip-lock bag and zip it shut.

2. Put about one cup of ice into the large zip-lock bag and cover the ice with a small handful of salt. Put the small bag with your ingredients into the larger bag.

3. Add some more ice and then some more salt. Keep adding salt and ice until the bag is almost full.

4. Zip the large zip-lock bag shut. Then, carefully hold opposite sides of the bag and shake the bag back and forth for about 5-8 minutes.

5. Open the larger bag and take out the smaller bag – it should be full of ice cream! Rinse off the bag under running water to remove any salt that may be near the opening of the bag.

6. Open and enjoy!

The Science of Ice Cream

The reaction that just occurred to create your ice cream is called an Endothermic Reaction. When you added the salt to the ice, the chemistry between the two forced the ice to melt. Before it melted, though, it needed to borrow heat from its surroundings. The ice borrowed heat from the ingredients, making them colder, and then making your ice cream!

Career Profile: Chemist

If that experiment interested you, you might be wondering what life as a scientist could be like. Look no further! In this section of the newsletter, we’ll explore the career profile of a chemist and learn more about what life as a scientist is like!

Chemistry is an exciting field where scientists explore the building blocks of everything around us, from the food we eat to medicine. Chemists are the experts who study how different substances interact and use that knowledge to create new materials, products, and solutions to real-world problems!

Educational Requirements

To become a chemist, you must have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field. In addition, a master’s or doctoral degree is typically a requirement for employment as a research chemist.

Career Outlook

The field of chemistry offers a wide range of opportunities in areas such as pharmaceuticals, materials science, environmental science, and more! Depending on the region of employment and industry, annual earnings can reach up to $100k. As technology advances and new challenges emerge, the demand for skilled chemists will remain strong.

Responsibilities and Duties

Chemists perform a wide range of interesting tasks and responsibilities. Here are just some of those…

• Analyzing and modifying chemical compounds.

• Going out into the field to collect and analyze data.

• Carrying out research to develop new chemical formulations and processes.

• Investigating chemical aspects of subjects.

• Participating in research and projects with other professions such as engineers, biologists, geologists, and more!

In conclusion...

Becoming a chemist is a rewarding discipline that offers endless opportunities for exploration, innovation, and creativity. Whether you’re enthusiastic about curing diseases, protecting the environment, or inventing new materials, a career in chemistry, such as being a chemist, can lead to exciting and fulfilling experiences!

April

Sudoku!

Resources

Every single edition of STEM Spotlight promises to include an exceptional selection of opportunities for readers like you! In this edition, we are thrilled to unveil three resources: two science-based scholarships and a science summer camp!

1. Lionel High School Chemistry Scholarship

The Lionel Chemistry Scholarship aids high school students interested in studying chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering at a university. It awards $4,000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years. Applications are closed for this year but will reopen next year.

Click below for more information!

2. CSEG Foundation University Entrance Scholarship

The Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists offers a $500 scholarship for high school graduates entering a science program at a Canadian university in the fall. Applications open on April 15 and close on June 15, 2024.

Learn more below!

3. Science Unlimited Summer Camp @ University of Toronto

Science Unlimited offers high school students a unique week-long workshop featuring departments like astronomy, chemistry, physics, and more! Open to grade 10 or 11. The application deadline is April 15, 2024.

Apply now below!

Looking for more resources?

We consistently refresh our website with additional STEM resources — explore our resources page to delve deeper! Stay tuned for our next newsletter release for even more resources!

Final Comments

Thank you so much for reading the second edition of STEM Spotlight! We hope the content inspired you, and we can’t wait to share more captivating stories, opportunities, and updates from the world of STEM with you in future editions! As we work on the next few releases, we invite you to share your suggestions, feedback, and questions with us. Your input is invaluable as we strive to enhance and refine our content. We wish you all the best until our next edition of STEM Spotlight. Have a fantastic spring!

Warm regards,

STEM Unites

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