Volunteer Profile: Kiran Sukdeo

Volunteer Kiran Sukdeo, a 4th year undergraduate student at UofT studying Health & Disease and Immunology, helps create and manage Pueblo Science's online library of at home science experiment videos.

When and how did you first hear about Pueblo Science?

I actually heard about Pueblo Science long before I got involved. My first introduction to the organization was through the Pueblo Science UofT chapter as they were doing volunteer recruitment. Although the mission fascinated me I wasn't able to commit at the time. Little did I know then that I'd end up volunteering myself soon enough through one of my courses!

What volunteering activities have you done with Pueblo Science?

Through my HMB490: Health in Community course, I was paired with Pueblo as part of my year long placement. My partner Candice and I started off creating videos (check out my Rainbow Walking Water video!) to add to Pueblo's online library of at home science experiment videos. However, we soon transitioned into a supervisory role helping to oversee and coordinate the content produced by fellow volunteers.

Explaining the science behind the Rainbow Walking Water experiment on our YouTube channel.

What attracted you to this cause?

In my opinion, science communication is one of the most important fields right now because it facilitates the translation of information from the page to the entire population. I think it's especially important to foster scientific thinking in children as it can help develop their minds and prepare them for the future, no matter what path they choose to pursue, and Pueblo Science is doing amazing work helping to push this agenda.

What inspires you?

Seeing the tangible effects that organizations like Pueblo Science can have on education and even health inspires me because it shows me that it's possible to effect real change in the world.

How has the volunteering experience changed you?

One of the major ways this volunteering experience has changed me is by fostering my confidence in my ability to manage a team of people. Mayrose has provided me with amazing opportunities to exercise my own judgement and given me agency to execute it.

Why do you continue to support Pueblo Science?

Like I mentioned before, I think the work that Pueblo Science is doing is extremely relevant and necessary, especially in the modern climate of disinformation and I will always support them in their aims to increase access to education.

What else do you want people to know about you?

When I'm not doing work for Pueblo, you can always catch me in the kitchen whipping something up for dessert!