Neighbour of Note – Dr. Bonnie Schmidt “I started Let’s Talk Science as a graduate student at Western University in the early ‘90s in response to requests for science education support in London schools,” explains Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, CM, PHD, FRSC. At the time, Schmidt was completing her PhD in Physiology, as well as working as a teaching assistant and bartending at a local Irish pub, but was not too busy to notice the decline in research funding and grants. “For me, it was clear that something was missing from the community— access between the science and education communities—and I thought I could do something about it.” Let’s Talk Science quickly became a broader mandate, and when the organization grew too large for the university to house them, they chose to grow in Hyde Park. Let’s Talk Science’s national office has been in the Hyde Park community for decades now. You can usually find them at PondFest and other neighbourhood events, but their reach and impact are Canada- wide. “Our work is more important than ever as we help youth build skills they’ll need for their future, expand their career awareness and tackle misinformation,” says Schmidt, who also resides in the Hyde Park area. Let’s Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable organization committed to positively impacting every child in Canada, from early years through secondary school. “Through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education, we help youth learn to take risks, develop the persistence to find innovative solutions to real-world problems, and the competencies required to thrive in an ever-changing world. Our extensive volunteer network brings STEM directly into classrooms, reaching communities in every province and terri- tory. Meanwhile, our free programs, available in both English and French, have reached over 21 million youth, educators, and volunteers across Canada,” Schmidt reflects. Throughout its growth from a single outreach site 30 years ago to a non-profit with nationwide reach, many Londoners have been instrumental in shaping Let’s Talk Science into the organization it is today. Several continue to play key roles in its governance. Of the organization’s roughly 100 employees, nearly half reside in the London region, and many of them contribute to community projects such as the creation of the Let’s Talk Science pollinator barrel featured in the September 2025 Hyde Park-Oakridge Villager. Through the generous support of partners and donors, Let’s Talk Science provides educators with opportunities to discover and use effective learning strategies to develop and strengthen students’ questioning and problem-solving skills and offers both in-person
Bonnie Schmidt, President and Founder of Let’s Talk Science (right) and Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Jeremy Hansen (Artemis II) participate in Tomatosphere™ planting activities with school children. Tomatosphere™ is a hands-on program that builds scientific inquiry and experimentation skills. Students plant two groups of seeds and compare the number of seeds that germinate from each. One set of seeds had been sent to the International Space Station, or treated in space-like conditions, and the other set, the “control” seeds, had not. Jeremy Hansen was raised on a farm near Ailsa Craig, Ontario.
and digital programming that engages youth in meaningful STEM learning. From space innovation and quantum science to digital literacy and climate action, the organization helps bring the world of STEM to life in meaningful ways, preparing youth with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. To address the critical need of assuring Canada’s global com- petitiveness across various sectors, including skilled trades, agriculture, mining, healthcare, sustainable environmental so- lutions, and emerging technologies, by increasing STEM education access and opportunities for Canadian youth, Let’s Talk Science launched the “Inspire – Educate – Innovate” fundraising campaign in the fall of 2023 with a goal of raising $30 million over three years. To support Let’s Talk Science, visit letstalkscience.ca/make-a-donation.
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ELECTROLYSIS Permanent Hair Removal FACIAL TREATMENTS SKIN CARE 519-871-3645 Care@revivalst.ca www.revivalskintherapy.ca Located within Synergy Centre at 1635 Hyde Park Rd.
Learn more about Let’s Talk Science at: English: letstalkscience.ca French: parlonssciences.ca
Page 8 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • November 2025
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