/R E P E A T -- Ontario Science Centre celebrates International Pride in STEM Day/

TORONTO, June 29, 2018 /CNW/ - On July 5, the Ontario Science Centre will participate in the first International Pride in STEM Day with an afternoon of activities, including a Science Slam featuring LGBTQ+ speakers working in STEM fields, the Pride in STEM Photography Project and an art activity exploring Robots and Gender. Can't make it in person? Join the discussion online using #LGBTSTEMday.

On July 5, join the Ontario Science Centre and as we participate in the first International Pride in STEM Day with an afternoon of activities, including a Science Slam hosted by Drag Queen Conchita from Toronto’s drag comedy trio the B-Girlz, featuring LGBTQ+ speakers working in STEM fields, the Pride in STEM Photography Project and an art activity exploring Robots and Gender. Can’t make it in person? Join the discussion online using #LGBTSTEMday. When she’s not Conchita, Rob Windisman has his master’s degree in engineering and is a graduate of the Ontario Science Centre Science School. (CNW Group/Ontario Science Centre)

At the Ontario Science Centre, we hope that the International Day of LGBTQ+ People in STEM will help create an accepting STEM environment, improve LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in STEM fields while strengthening the community, improve support and resources for LGBTQ+ people in STEM and encourage LGBTQ+ youth to continue with STEM subjects and pursue their dreams.  

Science Slam
We are hosting a Science Slam-inspired event lead by Drag Queen Conchita from Toronto's drag comedy trio B-Girlz. When she's not Conchita, Rob Windisman has his master's degree in engineering and is a graduate of the Ontario Science Centre Science School. Conchita will be joined by speakers from various STEM fields, including math, engineering and geography.

Pride in STEM Photography Project
What does a scientist look like? When asked, most people will typically think of someone who looks an awful lot like Albert Einstein — a white, cisgender, heterosexual male, often depicted with curly dark hair and glasses. Join us as we break that stereotype by showcasing photos and stories from LGBTQ+ scientists with installations from the Multicultural Museum and 500QueerScientists.com. We also invite visitors (with their written consent) to show their support by posing at our LOVEisLOVEisLOVE.org photo booth and share their photo on our social media channels.

Robots and Gender
Why do we place gender on robots when they technically do not have gender? For example, many robots depicted in a human-like form are male, and many artificial intelligence voice systems such as Siri or Alexa are given female voices. Join us as we invite you to draw your own robots and explore this intriguing issue.

What:	International Pride in STEM Day
Who:	Our LGBTQ+ speakers who work in STEM fields include:
	•	Rod Windisman – Event emcee and speaker. His drag persona is Conchita and he is part of the B-Girlz (b-girlz.com), a comedic drag group that performs throughout North America. He holds an engineering degree and is a graduate of the Ontario Science Centre Science School.
	•	Patrick Roncal – mathematician and analyst with the Government of Ontario
	•	Alexander Dow - engineer and vice president of EngiQueers Canada (engiqueers.ca) - a non-for-profit organization that promotes and advocates for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ students (and their allies) in Engineering Schools across Canada.
	•	Ian Bowles – scientist with the Government of Ontario
	•	Rosemary Ash – scientist with the Government of Ontario
	•	Catheryn Ryan – MSc student, York University
	•	Ana Sofia Barrows – Co-Program Director for SHAD at Ryerson University
	•	Two recent Ontario Science Centre Science School graduates entering university in STEM fields.
When:	Thursday, July 5, 2018
	11 a.m.	Pride in STEM Photography Project (runs until 4 p.m.)
	12 p.m.	Registration
	1 p.m.	Event officially begins in the Hot Zone on level 6
	2 p.m.	Science Slam (runs until 3 p.m.)
	3 p.m.	Robots and Gender (runs until 4 p.m.)
	4 p.m.	Event finishes
Where:	Ontario Science Centre
	770 Don Mills Road, Toronto
	Please enter via main entrance

Social Media Links

Event Day Hashtag: #LGBTSTEMday
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/OntarioScienceCentre 
Twitter: @OntScienceCtr
Instagram: @OntarioScienceCentre
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/OntarioScienceCentre 

SOURCE Ontario Science Centre

Media contacts: Anna Relyea, Director, Strategic Communications, 416-696-3273 | c: 416-668-1967, [email protected]; Jefferson Darrell, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3154, [email protected]; Andrea Mus, Media Relations Officer, 416-696-3191, [email protected]

Related Links

https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca