By: Mariam Abada
Volunteer Week: Inspiring kids to learn about science and technology
Photo Credit
Mariam Abada
At Ingenium, National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate all of the volunteers who enhance the visitor experiences we provide across all three museums — the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum. The Ingenium Channel recently asked Mariam Abada what makes the Canada Science and Technology Museum such a unique venue for volunteering.
When I was a little girl — in kindergarten and elementary school — I loved visiting museums. I can still remember visiting the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, where I learned all about the farm animals and how they play an important role in our lives.
Growing up in Ottawa, my early memories also include the Canada Museum of Science and Technology. I loved diving into science with all of the fancy, unique technologies they had. I enjoyed playing with the telephone lines, Morse code and learning about electricity and how it’s generated.
Looking back, it was the Canada Science and Technology Museum that really sparked my interest in science, and made me realize how important it is to Canada and the world. Now that I’m a teenager, I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the museum. I also feel a sense of obligation to volunteer in the museum, to help new generations of kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and to get them excited. Hopefully, I will encourage a young child to be a future scientist — something that can easily happen thanks to a fantastic experience with the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
Each of the Ingenium museums — the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum — are famous icons in Ottawa. I truly enjoy being a part of the team; the staff are always so friendly and respectful, and they’re eager and willing to teach the volunteers everything they need to know about their roles. Perhaps one day I will have the chance to work alongside them as a staff member myself.
I have always felt that the Ingenium museums play an important role in shaping Canada; as significant tourist attractions, I believe they impact how tourists from around the world view our country. It’s an honour to play a part in such a wonderful legacy.
Mariam Abada
Mariam Abada is a high school student at Louis Riel Public School in Ottawa. An avid volunteer since the age of 10, Mariam loves working with children. Prior to joining the Ingenium volunteer team, she volunteered her time through her school, at two local daycare centres, and at Pedalheads bike camp. She has also completed her first aid and CPR certification.
