Beata Biernacka
Beata Biernacka has devoted herself to making science accessible, interesting and relevant to young people, and most notably, to inner-city youth.
“Let's Talk Science” inspires children to learn more about the world and opens the door to a lifetime of discovery and inquiry. Since 2003, Biernacka has been coordinating and growing The University of Winnipeg's Science Outreach program, matching inner-city teachers with UWinnipeg students who then visit their classes to present science experiments. The program also brings students and their teachers onto our campus to observe how scientists conduct scientific inquiries.
In addition to her regular biology teaching duties, Biernacka has had great success recruiting students to volunteer and give career talks in school and judge science fairs. She is training students to work with school children and design activities that fit with the Manitoba Science Curriculum. She has also worked with First Nations, giving presentations to teachers and students during the Peguis Science, Engineering and Technology Symposium.
Biernacka actively embraces the Eco-Kids on Campus program, planning curriculum activities and recruiting students to assist in teaching children from Strathcona School who visit once a week for 10 weeks. This program was organized by the Innovative Learning Centre, the Collegiate and the Faculty of Science and is made possible because of the dedication of professors such as Biernacka, the late Randy Kobes and Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar.
During the summer months, UWinnipeg's Science Outreach initiatives continue as Biernacka works with the Community School Investigator's program, run through the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, to offer science day camps to about 300 elementary children. They have been attending the camp every July for the past 4 years. She also co-organized successful science-oriented activities at the Manitoba Children's Museum.
Beata Biernacka makes a difference by sharing enthusiasm about science with students of every age and with teachers. She is an exceptional community role model and The University of Winnipeg is proud to present her with the Marsha Hanen Award for Excellence in Creating Community Awareness.