Last night I attended an event put on by Dove called “Women Who Should be Famous.” It was all about introducing positive female role models to girls across North America.
Next to their moms, many Canadian girls are choosing celebrities as their top role models. The message at this event was to shift the spotlight and identify other inspirational women who positively shape the self-esteem of Canadian girls.
Singer and actress Mandy Moore told the stories of four awesome women including an environmentalist, a musician who uses hip hop to help girls find their voices, a physician, and a scientist and mountain-climber (yup, a scientist who also climbs mountains!). All four stories were incredibly inspirational and demonstrated the difference that an individual can make in this world.
Ten-year-old OWL reader Kyle attended the event with me and said that her role model is her mom. She really enjoyed environmentalist Severn Cullis-Suzuki’s story because Kyle also wants to help the environment, and now she’s feeling even more inspired!
The event really got me thinking about role models in my life. I have a few women who have influenced who I am today. One of them was my mentor back in University who was 92 years old. She taught me that I could do anything I wanted in life, which is totally true!
More BIG news from the world’s largest K-12 science and technology competition, the ExploraVision Program!
Students from St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Gifted Program in Scarborough were selected from over 4,800 entries, across Canada and the US, for Honourable Mention in the Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) ExploraVision Program.
Three teams in total were awarded Honourable Mention for their inventions.
Congratulations to all of the students who participated! As most of you know, we interviewed the three teams and today we’re sharing another team invention with you.
Team members from left to right: Eden, Anda, Amy, Nicolette
Invention: the P.S. 3000 (Pancreas Stimulator 3000)
Details: The P.S. 3000 is a microchip with a reservoir of insulin that is planted into the tissue of the pancreas, which constantly monitors blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels go too high, the P.S. 3000 releases enough insulin to bring the level back to normal. It has a tube that connects to a port on the outside of the body that refills the reservoir of insulin when needed. When the reservoir needs to be refilled, the person is notified by a vibration sourced by the microchip. The P.S. 3000 would be for people with type 1 diabetes, making it more comfortable and convenient to take insulin.
We talked to team member, Eden, about their project.
OWL: Why did you choose to create the P.S. 3000?
Eden: We wanted to work together on an innovative idea that would help others. We found out that diabetes is connected to all of us. Nicolette’s dad, Eden’s grandmother, and Amy’s mother all have diabetes. We decided to invent something that would help them out.
OWL: What did you do to celebrate your Honourable Mention award?
Eden: Well, when we found out, there were multiple high fives, and jumping! All of the families attended Markham Delta Hotel to celebrate. The Chair of the program made a presentation, then we were called up on stage, and shook hands with all of the people from Toshiba and NCSA. We received a mouse pad, t-shirt, and little fish tank which was 10 cm x 5 cm. Inside were three little shrimp. I named mine Chubby, Silver, and Albino.
OWL: What advice do you have for others who are interested in science and technology inventions?
Eden: Make sure your invention is practical, and could be a possible product of the future that would work properly. Be creative, and think outside of the box. Don’t be afraid to do something different than everyone else.
Note from the Editor: I was really excited to learn about this idea. I have type 1 diabetes, too. So I definitely would be interested in the P.S. 3000, and it’s youth like Team P.S. 3000 that can make a difference. Awesome work!
To find out more about the ExploraVision program, click here.
Whether you’re celebrating the love of a mother, grandmother, or someone close to you, Mother’s Day is a chance to use your creativity to show them how you feel.
Homemade gifts are not only appreciated, they’re FUN! They also give you a chance to express your creative side.
Here are a few different gifts to show mom you care.
1. Are you a dancer? If so, choreograph a new dance routine especially for mom. Pair it with One Direction’s What Makes You Beautiful or your favourite song.
2. If you love singing, serenade her with your favourite song… or better yet, write your own song!
3. Photos are always a hit. Make a photo collage card or poster with pictures of you and her throughout the years. Or if you like getting creative on your computer, put your photos together in a slideshow accompanied by some rockin’ tunes.
4. For all of you writers out there, poetry from the heart is a priceless gift that she’ll never forget.
5. If drawing is more your thing, make a special comic strip about you and mom.
Homemade cards, breakfast in bed, or a break from doing the chores also make most moms really happy!
What about you? Do you have a special Mother’s Day gift idea that you would like to share? How are you celebrating Mother’s Day?
If you’re in the Toronto area this weekend, make sure you check out TCAF, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival! The Owlkids super amazing team will be there, including some of your favourite authors and illustrators. All of you Max Finder fans will love this session with Craig and Ramón. Check it out:
12pm: Owlkids Presents: How to Write and Draw Max Finder with Craig Battle and Ramón Perez!
One of the most popular sections of Owl Magazine are the awesome adventures of Max Finder, the mysteries that you can help solve! Writer, Craig Battle, and illustrator, Ramón Perez, will create an all-new mystery with the audience! Intended for ages 7 and up.
Click here for more details about TCAF. Hope to see you there!
The team at Owlkids are getting prepped for TCAF. What is that, you ask? It’s the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, taking place on Saturday May 5th and 6th. It’s a full day of presentations by some of the greatest kids and young adult graphic novel creators in the world!
May 5th events are sponsored by Owlkids, so you can meet illustrators, writers, and editors, like me! Former OWL editor and Max Finder writer, Craig Battle, will also be there to share all of his Max secrets, along with illustrator Ramón Perez. As an added bonus, all creators will be signing and sketching for fans after their presentations.
So if you’re in the Toronto area on May 5th, make sure you check it out!
Here’s the location and full schedule for Owlkids Day:
Located at St. Paul’s Church, 227 Bloor Street East 5 minutes walk from Toronto Reference Library Saturday May 5th, 10am-5pm
9:30am: Doors open at St. Paul’s, 227 Bloor Street East
10am: Meet Owly creator Andy Runton!
Creator Andy Runton will take fans on an amazing journey through the world of Owly! Intended for children 3 and up. Following his presentation, Andy will be signing in the Owlkids Area at Toronto Reference Library!
11am: Meet Jennifer Holm & Matt Holm, creators of Babymouse & Squish!
The creators of the hit graphic novel series’ Babymouse and Squish, brother and sister graphic novel team Jennifer Holm and Matt Holm will wow the audience with an interactive presentation from their series! Intended for kids 6 and up. Following their presentation, Jennifer and Matt will be signing at St. Paul’s.
12pm: Owlkids Presents: How to Write and Draw Max Finder with Craig Battle and Ramón Perez!
One of the most popular sections of Owl Magazine are the awesome adventures of Max Finder, the mysteries that you can help solve! Writer, Craig Battle, and illustrator, Ramón Perez, will create an all-new mystery with the audience! Intended for ages 7 and up.
1pm: Meet Jeff Smith, the author of Bone!
Jeff Smith is the creator of Fone Bone, Smiley Bone, and Phoney Bone, the Bone cousins! Now, Jeff will do a presentation from his series and answer questions from fans. Intended for ages 10 and up. Following his event, Jeff will be signing for fans from 2pm-3:30pm at St. Paul’s. He will only be able to sign for 2 hours, on a first-come, first-served basis.
2:30pm: The world of Amulet, with creator Kazu Kibuishi!
Kazu Kibuishi is the author of the new smash-hit fantasy series Amulet! Kazu and series colourist Jason Cafoe will be on hand with a presentation from the series. Intended for ages 10 and up. Following his event, Kazu Kibuishi will be signing at his table in The Owlkids Exhibitor Area at Toronto Reference Library in The Appel Salon.
3:45pm: It’s the “launch” of Teen Boat! With creators Dave Roman & John Green!
Friends Dave Roman and John Green have worked together on all kinds of projects, including Nick Jr. Magazine and Avatar: The Last Airbender comics! Now they’ve created their own new graphic novel: TEEN BOAT. It’s the angst of being a teen, and the thrill of being a boat. Intended for ages 11 and up. Following their event, John and Dave will be signing at their table in The Owlkids Exhibitor Area at Toronto Reference Library in The Appel Salon.
We also have some amazing designers and illustrators who will be drawing at the Owlkids table!
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