Destination Exploration Staff

Catharine is the new Director of Youth Outreach at the University of Lethbridge, bringing more than 25 years of experience in student engagement and institutional communications. She is responsible for the strategic oversight of youth programming throughout the Faculty of Arts & Science, including Destination Exploration and high school-specific initiatives, ensuring they serve as impactful introductions to the University’s academic environment and research strengths. In her spare time, you will find her in the great outdoors, camping or kayaking, and in the winter months, chasing the sun or enjoying the indoors. She is excited for the adventures that lay ahead in Destination Exploration.

Steph is our Manager of Destination Exploration for the Faculty of Arts & Science. They have a degree in Civil Engineering and Management from McMaster University and have been sharing their love for engineering and STEM with youth since 2013. In her spare time, you’ll find her playing the guitar, exploring the area, or just hanging around playing some video games. They're a kid at heart and aren’t afraid to get a little messy for the sake of science.

Deserae (Iitsissaana’wa - Seen Standing in Front) is one of our Indigenous STEM (InSTEM) Coordinators! She is a Blackfoot member of the Kainai community within Treaty 7. She has a degree in Biological Science from the University of Lethbridge and experience in cancer cell research. She is passionate about bridging STEM with Indigenous science through cultural and land-based education for youth. She has a love for powwow dancing, reading, and medicinal plants. She is excited about fostering a learning environment for kids which can bring Indigenous science and STEM education together.

Alex is one of our Indigenous STEM (InSTEM) Coordinators. Having completed a combined degree program in History & Education from the University of Lethbridge. Finding connections between the world of STEM and History was always exciting to Alex, and he is passionate about sharing these connections with youth. In his off time, Alex enjoys camping, fishing, and all things outdoors, when not outside he will be found tinkering with computers and 3D printers to build all sorts of gadgets. Alex is always looking to turn crazy ideas to awesome experiences with students who are ready to explore.

Megan is our High School Programs Coordinator. She holds both a BSc in Molecular Genetics from the University of Alberta and recently completed her PhD in Biomolecular Science here at the University of Lethbridge. After studying science for a long time, she loves to share her knowledge and passion for STEM with others. Outside of work, Megan is fond of reading, writing, crafting with friends, or getting off the grid to camp and fish. She loves a chance to show anyone they can understand STEM and have fun with it too.

Logan (she/her) is the DE Camp Coordinator. She has a Software Engineering degree from the University of Calgary and is completing an Education degree with a specialization in math from the University of Lethbridge. She loves being a STEM communicator and is looking forward to a career in education. Logan enjoys playing the guitar and singing and can usually be found hanging out with friends and colleagues. She's passionate about finding wonder in the world around us through a scientific lens.

Bria (she/they) is one of your instructors at DE. She is working towards an education degree and a science degree at the University of Lethbridge. She loves biology, chemistry, and dinosaurs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing guitar, dancing, hiking, and playing with her dog, Charlie. Bria is super excited to share her love for science this summer! 

Daniel (he/him) is one of your instructors at DE. He is currently working towards completing his degree in Early Years Education here at the University of Lethbridge. Daniel hopes to soon be an elementary school teacher, but in the meantime, he is passionate about sharing his love of science to kids of all ages. He is super excited about all things outdoors, astronomy, and dinosaurs (seriously, he loves them). In his spare time Daniel enjoys hanging out with his cat Axel, having campfires with his friends, or driving out to Waterton for the day!

Hannah (she/her) is one of your instructors at DE! She is working towards her bachelor’s in social work at the University of Calgary. Hannah is passionate about creating experiences for children of all ages to discover and explore the wonderful world of STEM! In her free time Hannah is a track and field coach, a reader of mystery novels, and an amateur gardener!

Elora (she/they) is one of your instructors at DE. They are working towards a Bachelor of Education in the Early Years program at the University of Lethbridge. They hope to become an elementary school teacher but love sharing science with all ages. They are interested in lots of different areas in science, but zoology is definitely one of their favourites, and they are excited to share their knowledge with the scientists of the future. In their free time you can find them doing puzzles, playing board games, or hanging out with friends and family.

Oliver (he/him) is one of your instructors at DE. He is currently working towards a BFA in Drama Performance with a special interest in science! His goal is to become a drama teacher who can somehow find a way to include elephants toothpaste in a production of Cats Jr. He is passionate about finding different ways to mix theatre and science together to create fun new ways of seeing the world around us! In his spare time, you can find him working on theatre at the university or in the community, at home with a good book or cooking up a new recipe he found!

Léonie (she/her) is one of your instructors at DE. She is working towards a combined bachelor's degree in Math and Math Education. Léonie loves to learn new things and is really looking forward to sharing her passion for STEM with other young minds. In her free time, she can be found dancing her heart out or reading books.

Carlos (he/they) is one of your instructors at DE. He is working towards a bachelor's in Biochemistry at the University of Lethbridge. Carlos enjoy exploring all kinds of niche areas in science and sharing that passion with other. Bio Engineering is something that he loves exploring and showing off the field of study. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing with their pets and playing Dungeons & Dragons

Keiara (she/her)is one of your instructors at DE. She is working towards her Bachelor of Science in General Sciences as well as a Bachelor of Education combined degree at the University of Lethbridge. She has a passion for all things math and science related and wants to share her excitement and experiences with other young growing minds. In her free time, you can find her spending countless hours with her friends, shopping or listening to music.

Keisha (she/her) is one of your InSTEM instructors at DE. She is working towards a bachelor's degree in psychology and hopes to become a middle school counsellor after she graduates to help youth with their mental health. Keisha’s favourite type of science is biology because she loves studying the brain. In her free time, you can find her listening to music, reading, being outdoors, or hanging out with friends and family. She hopes everyone is ready to have a fun summer! 

Tanis (she/her) (Natoyi ksistakyaki- Holy Beaver Woman) is an InSTEM instructor at DE. She is currently in a combined degree of New Media and Education at the University of Lethbridge. Tanis enjoys creating and building new inventions through a mixed media of materials and technology. One thing Tanis would say is “It’s fun to make mistakes… as you are expanding your learning through the process!” Tanis enjoys Blackfoot storytelling and would love to incorporate this into her work as an educator.

Sammy (she/her) is one of your outreach instructors on the InSTEM team! She is currently working towards a Bachelor of Education in the Early Years Program at the University of Lethbridge with the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher. Sammy loves to learn new things and is looking forward to sharing her passion for all things science, specifically biology, this summer. In her free time, you can find her reading a book, hanging out with family and friends, or hiking in the mountains.