Chemistry can cause explosions… and light up the eyes of young and old alike. Mathieu Frenette, a doctoral candidate in chemistry at the University of Ottawa, knows something of both. With his presentation “The Magic of Chemistry,” he has communicated his passion for this science to thousands of children and teens over the past five years through the organization Let’s Talk Science.
With help from volunteers, especially graduate students, this national organization strives to stimulate primary and secondary students’ interest in science.
Mathieu’s commitment to Let’s Talk Science has earned him a few prizes over the years and, last April, he won the Let’s Talk Science National Volunteer Award. The pleasure of interacting with curious young minds is at the heart of his volunteer commitment. “I have always enjoyed teaching, and this program has really allowed me to do what I love,” explains the young man who has spent countless hours coordinating activities and designing workshops for students. Mathieu is easily carried away by their enthusiasm.
The content of presentations can be determined by teachers’ requests or the Let’s Talk Science team. “We have looked at global warming, bioaccumulation, the manufacturing of microprocessors, cooking, nanotechnology and cell imaging,” he explains.
As he prepares to leave Ottawa for postdoctoral studies in bio-inorganic chemistry at Standford University in California, Mathieu invites everyone interested in volunteering with Let’s Talk Science to contact Dr. Vanderhyden (
bvanderhyden@ohri.ca).
