Volunteer Profile: Candice Pereira

Candice Periera is a 4th year undergraduate student at UofT studying Health & Disease, and began volunteering for Pueblo just last Sep 2020.

When and how did you first hear about Pueblo Science?

I first heard about Pueblo Science through the "HMB490Y; Health In Community" course at the University of Toronto, where I'm completing my undergraduate degree. After being accepted into the course, gratefully, I was paired with my top choice, Pueblo Science, where I would then spend the 2020/2021 academic year working on a community project alongside the co-founder Dr. Mayrose Salvador.

What volunteering activities have you done with Pueblo Science?

At Pueblo Science, my time is spent as a Volunteer Supervisor. Through this role, I have developed, with my project partner, comprehensive guidelines on video filming and editing. These guidelines are used by all volunteers, myself included, as we make STEM-experiment videos that are published on our FaceBook and Youtube under a 'Science At Home' playlist. I was able to take part in recruiting volunteers and complete associated administrative work to manage their videos. I, myself, also got the chance to create 2 STEM-related experiment videos (Electric Cornstarch and Strawberry DNA Extraction) that started our online video rebranding!

Demonstrating static electricity using cornstarch and a balloon on our YouTube channel.

What attracted you to this cause?

Pueblo Science is a huge advocate for STEM education and that's what attracted me to want to work with them. They encourage hands-on learning at a young age that promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and inquisitivity. Growing up, my favourite day in every year of elementary school was 'Scientists In The School', but Pueblo Science allows youth to take part in this daily through their STEM-experiment videos that can be done at home using materials around you.

What inspires you?

Knowing that education is limitless, whether it be institutional or societal knowledge. I can constantly learn as I experience things and have the ability to share that with others.

How has the volunteering experience changed you?

Pueblo Science has encouraged my creativity since previous to working with them, I had never filmed and edited a video for the public. Despite being extroverted, I was initially shy when filming, but Pueblo Science encouraged my on-camera confidence as I was challenged outside of my comfort zone, participating in something that I necessarily wouldn't have tried on my own.

Why do you continue to support Pueblo Science?

The progression to online learning has been the 'new normal' but Pueblo Science makes it fun through their STEM-related science videos. Youth around the world can access these free educational resources which can still simulate that missing in-person school experience.

What else do you want people to know about you?

In my free time I love to paint and I also work part-time as a Swim Instructor and Lifeguard!