STEM Speaker Series
“What should I study in university?”
“What are my career options if I’m interested in STEM?”
“What is university like?”
If you are a Grade 8-12 student and these questions are on your mind, then perhaps this is the right event for you! The STEM Speaker Series provides high school students with the opportunity to learn about STEM topics and careers through the expertise and perspectives of university students, faculty members, and working professionals in STEM fields. During this event, our guest speakers will present and discuss STEM topics that are relevant to their field, their area of research, or the work they do in their profession. They will also talk about their career path and what made them pursue the field they are in. Finally, there will be a Q&A session for students to ask questions and interact with our guest speakers.
September Talk - Cultivating a career: Lessons from rocks, kids, and microbes
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 1-2 pm PT
Grade: 8-12
Location: Virtual over Zoom
Cost: Free
About the Talk
STEM careers don’t always move in a straight line, and mine definitely didn’t. I went from studying the Earth as a geological engineer, to teaching kids in classrooms, to now exploring how best to communicate scientific research. Each of these experiences gave me skills I didn’t realize I would need later. In this talk, I’ll show how changing direction can actually make you stronger in science, and why your career path doesn’t need to be set in stone.
About the Speaker
Katherine Rabik is a PhD student researching science communication in the wine industry at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Originally from Calgary, AB, Katherine started her career as an engineer before becoming a primary school teacher. She is passionate about making science accessible and collaborative, working with diverse groups of people to share knowledge, co-create solutions, and ensure that science is something everyone can be a part of.
More talks coming soon….
Contact
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the STEM Speaker Series Team at saadmin6@sfu.ca.