Let’s Talk Science: Igniting Curiosity and Empowering Future Generations in STEM

Let’s Talk Science, a national charitable organization, has a strong commitment to equipping young people for the changing demands of careers and citizenship in today’s rapidly evolving world. Their mission is to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in Canada, from the early years through secondary school and prepare young minds for their future careers.  Let’s Talk Science believes that STEM is not limited to a specific industry but intertwined with all professions, ensuring its relevance across the board.

It offers programs and resources to educators, enabling them to enhance the quality of STEM education and engagement for youth. In addition, the charity also offers a comprehensive range of initiatives accessible in both English and French, and provides them free of charge to schools, early years centers, community organizations, and parents/caregivers. Moreover, Let’s Talk Science engages and fosters a diverse network of volunteers, predominantly composed of postsecondary students, who gain valuable career-readiness skills by delivering and participating in Let’s Talk Science programming. 

Since 1993, Let’s Talk Science has engaged in over 13.8 million interactions with youth, educators, and parents throughout Canada, a milestone achieved during the 2021-2022 period. Currently, Let’s Talk Science works with over 55 universities, colleges and research institutes and over 1,200 volunteers, who bring over 20,000 hours of science outreach to Canadian youth.

It’s accessed in more than 1,500 communities across Canada and has impacted over 147,000 educators through Professional Learning opportunities.

Let’s Talk Science and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Elliott Corston-Pine first heard about the SDGs in his early twenties and became more interested in the topic as an indigenous person. He reflected on his upbringing in a First Nations community and how his perspective on environmental issues evolved when he moved to a different area and gained awareness of the issues surrounding clean water. Elliott explained that his understanding of the SDGs expanded as he delved deeper into the political aspects of water management and started following the UN’s discussions on the SDGs. 

As the Sustainability and Program Support Coordinator at Let’s Talk Science, Elliott described his organization’s mission to nurture young individuals who possess creativity, critical thinking skills, and a deep knowledge base, empowering them to actively participate and flourish in a complex global landscape. Having attended the SDG Cities Academy, Elliott expressed that his organization was able to overcome the challenges of making connections with local organizations, despite Let’s Talk Science being a national charity. He emphasized that Let’s Talk Science’s work is aligned with the SDGs, particularly SDG4 which focused on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The goal aims to support the development of relevant skills for employment, fostering a safe and conducive learning environment, and promoting global citizenship and sustainable development education. 

Elliott explained that Let’s Talk Science developed various programs and projects, reaching out to educational institutions, colleges, and universities across Canada with the aim of engaging a wide range of audiences in STEM. Kayleigh Scott, Communications Coordinator at Let’s Talk Science, added that one of their major projects is called “Clothing4Climate” which is designed to raise awareness among youth and teens about the environmental impact of clothing. The initiative aims to inspire and educate young individuals in Grades 7 to 12 about the scientific principles underlying climate change and the environmental consequences of our clothing system. While these topics can seem daunting, the project provides a captivating starting point by highlighting the impact of clothing on the environment. Through the promotion of proactive measures such as clothing drives, video campaigns, and clothing swaps, the initiative not only raises awareness about the significance of sustainable clothing choices but also empowers young individuals to take meaningful action. By engaging in these activities, youth are given the opportunity to make a positive impact and develop solutions that align with their own lives.

The Green Team at Let’s Talk Science 

In 2021, Let’s Talk Science established the “Green Team,” comprising ten dedicated and knowledgeable individuals who are driven to minimize Let’s Talk Science’s environmental footprint and promote sustainable practices through the development of a comprehensive green plan. This three-year plan encompasses actionable steps that align with SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG13 (Climate Action). By linking these goals with specific initiatives, the plan challenges employees to explore avenues for implementing sustainable changes, adapt their daily routines, and embrace environmental sustainability throughout their actions.

For instance, in 2021, Let’s Talk Science has made notable progress by implementing a new travel guideline, developing a sustainable criteria flow chart for purchasing decisions, and formulating a set of recommendations aimed at reducing environmental impact and guiding the integration of shipping and logistics, waste reduction, and climate action. The green team also engages the Let’s Talk Science staff through monthly fun facts on sustainability, cooking demonstrations, and involvement with local community initiatives. However, this was not easy in the beginning as they faced challenges in garnering widespread support from staff and addressing the increasing greenhouse gas emissions and waste as a result of  the organization’s growth. 

Let’s Talk Science also partners with organizations like Green Economy London, the SDG Cities Academy, and the London Environmental Network to collaborate and achieve their environmental goals. They also explore opportunities to engage with local communities and support initiatives such as recycling projects.

It is important to embed sustainable thinking across Let’s Talk Science. We are working to improve the environmental footprint of our operations, setting a positive example as we inspire students to take their own climate action.

– Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, President and Founder

Elliott and Kayleigh have a shared vision for the future, focusing on Let’s Talk Science’s efforts in implementing the SDGs. Kayleigh, in particular, expresses her aspiration to disseminate the green team’s message to all employees and newcomers, with the objective of fostering conversations around science and sustainability. Additionally, Kayleigh mentions that she is interested in developing innovative initiatives at Let’s Talk Science such as transforming old t-shirts into tote bags and crafting toys for employees’ pets, showcasing their commitment to creative and eco-friendly practices.

By establishing collaborative partnerships with academic and community organizations, governments, industry leaders, private donors, and volunteers, Let’s Talk Science coordinates a nationally coordinated platform of informed and innovative STEM programming for all youth across Canada.

If you are interested in learning more about Let’s Talk Science, you can find more about the organization and its work at https://letstalkscience.ca/