Soapbox Science Winnipeg event set for Sept. 14

The Forks

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This article was published 04/09/2024 (366 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An upcoming collaborative event promises to shine a spotlight on women working in the STEM fields.

Soapbox Science Winnipeg will be held at the skate park at The Forks on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Soapbox Science is an initiative focused on promoting the visibility and accessibility of women working in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

According to a statement, the annual event provides a platform for female scientists to engage with the public in an informal and interactive way. Attendees will have the chance to interact directly with 12 participating female scientists, and ask questions while learning about ground-breaking research and discoveries in a hub of scientific exploration and conversation.

“One of the aims of the event is to encourage young generations to take up careers in the STEM fields,” said Dr. Manisha Ajmani, who co-organizes Soapbox Science Winnipeg with her sister, Dr. Nisha Ajmani. “Soapbox Science Winnipeg provides a public outreach platform for female and non-binary participants to be interactive, and we’re encouraging the younger generation to participate in the event, as well.”

Dr. Manisha Ajmani is a research project manager at the University of Winnipeg, and Dr. Nisha Ajmani is a bioinformatician at the University of Manitoba.

As well as showcasing their respective fields of work, the event also gives participants the chance to help break the traditional stereotypes of what a scientist might look like, moving beyond the image of a man in a white coat, Ajmani said.

Subjects covered at the event will range from AI to genetics to medicine to robotics, meaning attendees can expect a selection of topics, which will include the scientists using different props to engage the audience and, at times, make complex concepts more accessible.

Last year’s Soapbox Science Winnipeg event attracted more than 250 individuals, and holding it in a high-traffic pedestrian means lot of folks can potentially stop by and take in some of the action, Ajmani said.

“The event allows us raise awareness with the public, and increase visibility and promote diversity in the scientific field,” she said, noting there’s a backup plan in the event of inclement weather.

The event is free, and no registration is required. Go online at soapboxscience.org/soapbox-science-winnipeg-2024 for more information.