Praxis Science Outreach Society celebrates ASTech Award

Posted on December 12, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Congratulations are in order for Senior Scientific Consultant Patty Rooks and Founder Gary McFarlane of Praxis Science Outreach for their recent 2024 Special ASTech Award: Legacy. This award celebrates their “legacy of inspirational hands-on science experiences in Southeastern Alberta.”

Rooks, says, “I have worked for Praxis for nearly 30 years, and having recognition for the work I have done all of these years is a true honour.”

She continues, “I get up in the morning and absolutely love going to my job! Nothing is more rewarding than having a student (of any age) come up after a presentation or after working with them, should it be mentoring or on a project, to tell you that you made a difference in their lives.”

Rooks serves a geographical area of over 25,000 square kms and works with thousands of youth every year.

“Living in a rural community, it is of utmost importance to me to share with our youth the amazing opportunities in STEM that are available right here for them,” she says. “We need to have opportunities for our youth to return to our communities after pursuing higher education so they can continue to make our communities vibrant and amazing places to call home and raise their families for generations to come.”

Praxis Science Outreach Society is dedicated to connecting science with the community. Their mission is to grow a love and understanding of science, empowering citizens with scientific literacy to navigate a rapidly changing world. Praxis offers various programs, including regional science fairs, career days for students, and family science events. They also provide hands-on resources aligned with the Alberta Science curriculum and share educational content through their Science Smarts blog and video series. As a registered charity, Praxis relies on community support and volunteers to continue their impactful work.

The ASTech Awards celebrate excellence in Alberta’s science and technology sectors, recognizing outstanding achievements by individuals and organizations. These awards bring together industry, academia, government, and entrepreneurs to inspire innovation and highlight Alberta’s leadership in these fields. The awards aim to celebrate a dynamic community by showcasing the best in science and technology, supporting economic and societal benefits.