Robin is a recently retired oil-industry (Geo)Physicist who firmly believes that science education should be fun for kids of all ages! Spark asked him how and here are some of his awesome examples.

"Much of physics can, with a little thought, be made to look like magic. For example, magnets that make something levitate: Newton's laws of motion making water rockets launch into the air; heat that powers movement in a simple engine. Add planet earth into the mix and we get magnetic fields causing Northern Lights; Mantle convection causing plate motion - which gives rise to earthquakes (and how to survive them), tsunamis (and how to survive them too

Throw 'Life' on Earth into the mix and I think we get the 'perfect storm' - how the physical planet facilitated the origin of Life in the first place - how Life has subsequently altered those conditions (eg by Oxygenating the atmosphere) - how the planet 'fought back' (anthropomorphism !!) and caused multiple mass Extinctions - and how Life has invariably recovered, albeit in a sometimes radically altered way (no more dinosaurs !!). And the story is far from over..."

Maura is an explorer and curious human. She started off her career with Imperial Oil, coding in assembler. Living through the Y2K hype she moved onto consulting for Omnilogic, a small start-up; clients included Canadian Pacific Railway, Imperial Tobacco and Pratt and Whitney. Her formal education in computer engineering helps her to make sense of the world.

As a young girl, Maura always asked “why”. She believes in STEM learning for all, inspiring others to ask their own “why” questions and search out the possible answers.

She is a keen hiker and cyclist. She is often heard saying “let’s continue on, and see what is around the next corner!”

Maura joined Spark as a volunteer in October 2019. Her interest in mentoring and coaching youth in robotics competitions was ignited through her most recent work with FIRST Robotics and then Community Robotics Training Association. She continues to share her passion for prototyping, exploring and experimenting with the Spark DIY Science Centre project.

Jesse is an inquisitive mind. He started of his career as a mechanical engineering designer in the HVAC industry and then moved on to work in the remote power generation field and is currently heavily involved in the technology community in Alberta. He helps small to medium sized technology companies develop and commercialize their products. These companies range from all industries from oil & gas, clean tech, robotics, forestry, logistics and unmanned vehicles.

Jesse joined Spark as a volunteer in November 2019 as a mentor to students with their prototyping design projects. He truly believes that STEM is crucial to today’s youth and an advocate to introducing more exposure to STEM related learning activities to all age groups. One of the mains reasons for him to begin volunteering in the Spark DIY Science Centre project was to share his knowledge in mechanical engineering design concepts and help students harness their creativity.