Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists
This week, I engaged in outreach activities, including judging high school science projects and virtually visiting school classes, to inspire young minds and practice my Swedish.
This week has been an "outreach" week for me, filled with opportunities to engage with young minds and share my passion for science.
On Monday and Tuesday, I had the privilege of being part of the jury for "UngaForskare," a fantastic event where high school students presented their scientific projects. It was truly exciting to see these innovative projects and discuss them with such passionate young minds. Their enthusiasm and creativity were inspiring, and it was a joy to be part of their journey.
From Wednesday to Friday, I am virtually visiting school classes as part of LånaEnForskare to talk about our science and what it's like to be a researcher. Two out of three sessions are done – tomorrow is the finale! These sessions have been a wonderful opportunity to connect with students, share insights about the scientific process, and hopefully ignite a spark of curiosity and interest in the field of science.
So, why do I do this?
On one hand, I believe it's incredibly important to engage in outreach activities and encourage young people to love science. It brings me immense joy to see their eyes light up with interest and excitement. Inspiring the next generation of scientists is a responsibility I take seriously, and it's rewarding to know that I might be making a difference in their lives.
On the other hand, I conduct these talks in Swedish. While I aim to become fluent as Sweden is my new home, being a full-time group leader makes studying Swedish quite challenging. So, forcing myself to speak Swedish and give lectures helps me improve. It's a win-win situation – I get to practice my language skills while doing something I love.
Outreach is not only vital for inspiring the next generation but also a fantastic opportunity for me to practice my Swedish. It's a reminder that learning and growth are continuous processes, and every interaction is a chance to improve.
Thank you for following along on this journey. Let's continue to inspire and be inspired!
Låna en forskare initiative
Exciting Experience Sharing “En dag i en forskares liv” with Students!
Today, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Låna en forskare initiative, where I shared “En dag i en forskares liv” (A Day in the Life of a Scientist) with students for the very first time. This experience was both thrilling and rewarding, and I’m so glad I took part in it.
During the session, I presented online and included some videos of my work in the lab to give the students a real glimpse into the daily life of a scientist. I also explained why we do our work, incorporating age-appropriate comparisons to make the concepts more relatable. It was wonderful to see their curiosity and enthusiasm. In the end, the students engaged in a lively discussion about their perceptions of what a scientist is and what they had learned from the session.
I had a lot of fun preparing the presentation, taking videos and photos while working in the lab to make it as engaging as possible. Participating in this initiative has reinforced my belief in the importance of science education and outreach. It’s crucial to inspire the next generation and show them the exciting possibilities within the field of science.
Looking forward to more opportunities to share and inspire!
