“How was your week?” they asked.
“Good," I replied, my heart beating a mile a minute.
“Would it be even better if I offered you the Barbara Brink Internship at Science World?”
That phone call was surreal. No words can fully encompass the flood of joy, disbelief, and excitement I experienced in that moment.
Each year, the Barbara Brink Internship at Science World is offered to a graduating high school student in British Columbia. The selected individual has the opportunity to engage in science facilitation, collaborate with diverse staff, and create their own unique projects.
As the 2017 Barbara Brink Intern, I am thrilled to explore my love for science, arts, and education at Science World before I pursue an engineering degree at the University of British Columbia this fall.
About Me
I am a recent graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Richmond Secondary School. Over the years, I have developed a fascination for physics, chemistry, and mathematics. I have participated in many of STEM related competitions and programs. My most memorable STEM experiences include: attending the Saturday Morning Lectures at TRIUMF, the High School Student Science Week at the Centre of Heart Lung Innovation, and the Mini Med School lecture series by BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. These opportunities prompted a myriad of questions and inspired me to investigate the world we live in.
Outside of particles and potions, I enjoy supporting art engagement and youth initiatives in the city. I am a member of the Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee, the Fund Development Chair of the Richmond Youth Foundation, and the Co-Captain of the Beta U Business, Entrepreneurship, and Resource Development Team. Having a wide range of interests, I am so immensely grateful to be the 2017 Barbara Brink Intern. Science World’s interdisciplinary initiatives and open atmosphere provides the perfect environment for me to develop my passion for arts and science while empowering the public through education.
Internship Training
My first week of training has been a tornado of smiles and introductions. Besides wading through truckloads of new information each day, I am constantly meeting more staff around every corner. Fortunately, the Science World community is very welcoming. People from various departments have provided me with tours, guidance, and support, eagerly sharing both their site knowledge and their personal experiences. I have been able to truly witness the extent of diversity and collaboration which shapes the geodesic dome.
This Monday, I had the opportunity to explore the previous decade of intern projects in the Community Engagement files. There was a Ken Spencer Science Park program designing by Gunjan (2012), an AMPED exhibit by Braeden (2013), and a Remotely Operated Robot by Jakub (2014), etc. Outside of their main projects, each intern also contributed to a variety of science workshops, events, and programs. The number of possibilities blows me away. Having read through the wide range of past projects, while bombarded with new pitches, I am officially swamped by the options I have for my own internship.
Everyday, I learn more about the Science World's exciting exhibits — the activities, the quirky facts, and the intriguing concepts. I love the coloured lights in Wonder, the chameleon in Search, the adorable hens in the Ken Spencer Science Park — and the list goes on. Over the week, I had the chance to witness magic tricks, join educational workshops, open galleries — Wonder and Eureka, build looming structures for the KEVA Tower Knockdown, and attend the press event for the opening of BodyWorks. The atmosphere in Science World is always buzzing with laughter and exploration all around.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, I was able to indulge in two amazing films in the OMNIMAX® Theatre: Dream Big: Engineering Our World and Wonders of the Arctic. I loved Dream Big. For me, the movie successfully showcases the impact of engineering upon our world. Engineers push the limits of what is possible. Their contributions reflect unbelievable visions as they solve problems, strive for innovation, and transform dreams into reality. Dream Big is a moving and motivational production. Personally, it inspired a sense of hope and vision for a brighter future.
While having barely embarked on my Barbara Brink Internship journey, I can already envision the extent of learning store for me. Science World presents a wealth of leaders and educational initiatives. It offers the perfect chance to grow while empowering others. Over my time as an intern, I hope to investigate real-world application of scientific knowledge, support STEM engagement, and create memorable learning experiences for my community.