Praxis Science outreach – CONNECTING SCIENCE AND THE COMMUNITY OF SOUTHEAST ALBERTA

Praxis Science Outreach Society

Science Outreach in SE Alberta

Events, Activities and Services

Thank you for your interest in Science Outreach in Southeastern Alberta. Our communities need science-savvy citizens to make sense of a rapidly changing world. Our employers need scientific literate employees to exercise their critical thinking and technical skills to further their goals. The Praxis Science Outreach Society aims to help Southeastern Albertans develop a love and understanding of science that will support them throughout their lives. Our vision is to foster a dynamic community inspired and empowered by knowledge and appreciation of science. We want to help people understand the power of science in order to give our region a competitive advantage and make Southeast Alberta a great (or “an even better”) place to live.

Our Praxis ‘Science Smarts’ columns may be found at our Science Smarts Blog at https://praxissciencesmarts.wordpress.com/blog/ The Praxis webpage may be found at https://www.praxismedhat.com/ (and can be used to contact us if you wish).

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Operation Minerva Southeastern Alberta 2023 Conference

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are important in so many careers today, yet many young women do not choose these courses in high school and later find their academic career options limited. The one-day Operation Minerva Conference introduces female students to women in a variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related occupations through hands-on engaging activities.


Minerva: The Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts, identified with the Greek Athena. Her name contains the same root as *mens, meaning thought.
Operation Minerva is possible with the support of the Alberta Women’s Science Network.

Details about AWSN may be found at https://www.awsn.org/.

The 2023 event was also financially sponsored by CF Industries’ Medicine Hat and The Youth in Philanthropy Club at Senator Gershaw School (via The Community Foundation of SE Alberta).

DRDC (Defence Research and Development Suffield) supplied bus transportation for the participants.

Thanks for the generous support!


The 2023 conference was the 31st anniversary of the event. See more details about Operation Minerva in SE Alberta at https://www.praxismedhat.com/operation-minerva.

Because of circumstances, it was necessary to move online for the 2021 and 2022 conferences but the 2023 conference was in-person.


The 2023 Conference


It is hard to believe that thirty-one years ago, our first Operation Minerva Conference happened right here in Medicine Hat! Hundreds of grade nine girls have passed through this amazing programme. We can confidently say it has made a difference in the lives of many as we hear back from Physicians, Dentists, Microbiologists, Engineers and even Physicists as “graduates” of Operation Minerva. Probably the proudest moments we have are when some of our graduates return as mentors and volunteers to share their STEM expertise with these students!


This year the event started (registration, information, assignment to transport) and ended (lunch, afternoon presentations) at Medicine Hat High School. Thanks again to MHHS – Operation Minerva was first hosted there 31 years ago and MHHS has provided space for the event many times!


In 2023 we had 57 participants from twelve schools in southeastern Alberta:

  • St. Mary’s School
  • Alexandra Middle School
  • Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre
  • Senator Gershaw School
  • Notre Dame Academy
  • Schuler School
  • Warren Peers School
  • Seven Persons School
  • CAPE School
  • Medicine Hat Christian School
  • Irvine School
  • Crescent Heights High School

In addition to Patty Rooks, the Praxis Science Outreach Senior Executive Consultant, we had Praxis members who volunteered for registration, riding with the participants on the buses, picking up items and monitoring the events in the afternoon:

  • Gail Thompson
  • Ayden Rooks
  • Gary McFarlane
  • Victoria Rooks
  • Karen Saffran

In the morning, the participants went to the following locations to be mentored:

  • The City of Medicine Hat Waste Water Treatment Centre
  • Blair, Grip, Stubbs and Associates Radiology
  • Excel Physical Therapy
  • ClearView Eyecare
  • Hyperion Research Ltd.
  • Silver Sage Massage Therapy Clinic
  • Well Test Analysis & Engineering Services
  • River Dental
  • Cypress View Veterinary Clinic
  • Action Land & Environmental Services Ltd.
  • CF Industries’ Medicine Hat
  • Methanex Medicine Hat
  • Cancarb Medicine Hat
  • Police Point Park Medicine Hat Interpretive Program
  • Alberta Health Services – Environmental Public Health
  • Alberta Health Services – Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Dialysis, Nurse Educator Services)
  • The City of Medicine Hat Power-Plant

After completing their mentorships, lunch was held at Medicine Hat High School. Special thanks to Panago Pizza Medicine Hat, the Division Avenue Safeway, South Country Coop and Tim Hortons for supplying the excellent food options!

In the afternoon, the students participate in hands-on science workshops and discussions (each girl was able to attend two sessions). Thanks to the following for their excellent STEM presentations:

  • Evelien Meyer (Alberta Health Services)
  • Jeff Unrah (Medicine Hat Police Services)
  • Jan Scarff (CF Industries’ Medicine Hat
  • Kristin Louis, Cheryl Jensen and Amanda Weiler (Defence Research and Development Canada Suffield)
  • Lorna Morishita (Palliser Airshed)

Hope to see more girls next year!!


And thanks again to the Alberta Women’s Science Network!


See below for photos taken during the event on February 1st.

Medicine Hat News – February 9, 2023

PraxisScienceOutreach

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