Seunara Oyeleye, a Grade 7 student from École South Pointe School, proudly holds a new piece of lab equipment.
A science story of giving
In the spirit of the season, the Keith Fowke Lab in the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases at the Max Rady College of Medicine has made a donation to support local science education.
Six Winnipeg middle schools or high schools have received brand-new lab equipment – a gift designed to spark curiosity and provide students with high-quality tools to explore the world of science.
The donation was the brainchild of postdoctoral fellow Titus Olukitibi. “I’ve always been passionate about science,” he said. “I hope this equipment gives students the tools to experiment and explore with confidence.”
Inspired by Olukitibi’s idea, the department of medical microbiology and infectious diseases donated $1,000 for the purchase of magnetic stirrers and precision weight balances to upgrade the schools’ biology, chemistry and physics labs.
The professional-grade tools enable students to perform experiments with the same high-quality equipment found in university and industry labs.
“These tools are much safer and more efficient than older options like Bunsen burners,” explained Olukitibi.
“The magnetic stirrers heat and stir solutions at the same time, making experiments both safer and easier to manage. The precision weight balances allow students to take accurate measurements, which is crucial for scientific work that requires precision.”
The schools benefiting from the gift are École South Pointe School, St. Maurice School, Glenlawn Collegiate, Hastings School and J.H. Bruns Collegiate.
At École South Pointe School, the donation is helping to ensure that students have the tools they need to experience science for themselves.
“Science education is an integral part of our curriculum instruction and allows children to grow in problem-solving and inquiry,” said Coryn Pankratz, a Grade 7 teacher at the school. “This equipment will allow our students to have access to more experiments and hands-on activities.”
Olukitibi agreed. “Giving students the chance to explore and experiment is key to sparking their love for science,” he said. “When I see how inquisitive they are, I’m reminded of how I felt at their age. We all need mentors, and these students are the scientists of the future.”
This donation is just one part of Olukitibi’s broader commitment to inspiring the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals. Through his faith-based foundation, Raising the Foundations of Generations, he also organizes events like the Scientific Spelling Bee to encourage young people to pursue STEM careers.
“At their age, they don’t necessarily know what they want to do for a career,” Olukitibi said. “But they’re open to exploring science. We want to show them that becoming a scientist is within their reach.”