LATITUDE
KATHERINE EVANS, E.I.T. . . . . . volunteer, mentor, bionic limb maker
uncle, Tom Sneddon, P.Geo., FGC. It’s just one way Mr. Sneddon, APEGA’s Director of Geoscience, encouraged her love of geology as she was growing up. Today, she’s about to enter her fourth year as a geology undergrad at Calgary’s Mount Royal University. She’s just one of many young people Mr. Sneddon has inspired over the years to explore careers in geoscience, both through his volunteer work and in his former APEGA position, Director of Geoscience and Outreach. His commitment was recognized by the Alberta Women’s Science Network (AWSN) at its inaugural awards gala in March, where he was presented with a mentoring award for his volunteer support of AWSN and its Power to Choose program. The program connects Aboriginal youth to science mentors and raises their awareness about science careers, through events and summer camps.
Mr. Sneddon has strong ties to several First Nations communities in Alberta. His adopted sister, Theresa Schellenberg — Emily’s mom — is from the Swan River First Nation near Slave Lake in northern Alberta. He worked closely with Duncan’s First Nation, near Peace River, when he was employed in the area on a mining prospect around 2003, and talked to young people on the reserve about geoscience careers. It’s a connection that continues today, as Duncan’s and other First Nations look for hints on how to set up their own mentoring programs or benefit from APEGA’s Aboriginal initiatives. Mr. Sneddon also received a CSPG Service Award in May from the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (CSPG) for his continued service to the society’s Honorary Address committee. The committee organizes annual speaker events to engage and educate youth, and the general public, about Earth science. He’s been an active volunteer with
and geoscience. Her community service doesn’t end there. She also volunteers for the First LEGO League, the Edmonton Regional Science Fair, and APEGA science nights. She is a Graduate Students’ Association outreach coordinator and helps facilitate various campus outreach initiatives, such as the WP Wagner High School mentorship program. Ms. Evans’ other awards include the 2011 Joseph Beggs Foundation for Kinematics Undergraduate Prize in Mechanical Engineering, and an Alberta Graduate Citizenship Award in 2013. COST OF ONE USED MICROSCOPE: $50 — INVESTMENT IN A YOUNG MENTEE: PRICELESS Not many 12-year-olds have industrial- strength microscopes at home to examine their prized rock and fossil specimens. But Emily Schellenberg did, thanks to a special Christmas present from her
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