Representation in science matters!

Thank Hedy Lamarr for Wi-Fi, Evelyn Boyd Granville for successful space missions, Barbara McClintock for discovering genetic transposition and Ruby Hirose for vaccines against polio. Those are a few examples of fearless women in science who changed the world with science! Science needs more women and gender-diverse people to find inspiration in STEAM careers.

Operation Minerva is a one-day conference for grade 8 students, who identify as girls or gender diverse, to learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics from actual STEAM professionals.

Students get to:

• Meet STEAM professionals who identify as women or gender diverse.  
• Engage in conversations with mentors from many STEAM professions.   
• Celebrate diverse voices in science.  
• Challenge themselves to find inspiration in a STEAM career.  
  

Contact

403.817.6800 or [email protected]

Operation Minerva is a live conference happening outside of school hours with minimal teacher supervision. Chats will be monitored and managed by Spark staff, however, parent or guardian supervision is highly encouraged to ensure a safe, fun, and open environment for all students.

How it works

Originally stewarded by the Alberta Women’s Science Network (AWSN), Operation Minerva is a mentorship event that has been running for over 30 years in the Calgary area.The virtual platform for 2022 allows students to connect with STEAM mentors all across Canada. Groups of students will be randomly placed in virtual breakout rooms throughout the day to engage in conversations with STEAM mentors and get a glimpse of a variety of science professions. Come prepared with questions and be curious! Access to a desired session cannot be guaranteed but students will meet a number of mentors from different fields throughout the day.

Operation Minerva is open to all girls and students who identify as female or gender diverse in grades 8.