Skip to main content
Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Meet our Team

 

blank profile picture

Vanessa Ironside

Engineering Outreach Coordinator, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

Hi! My name is Vanessa Ironside and I am one of the Engineering Outreach Coordinators. I currently hold  Bachelors of Science in Human Biology and History and Philosophy of Science and am pursuing a Masters of Education in Development Psychology at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education. This is my 6th year working within the realm of STEM Outreach, previously working at the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto. In my role a the university, I run c_wonder Teacher Professional Development, organize and run c_wonder STEM Camps and I am the Engineering Outreach Specialist on-site at two Durham Public Schools. I am passionate about making STEM Education accessible, inclusive and engaging to all students and preparing educators with the tools to implement innovative new teaching practices.

Contact: vanessa.ironside@ontariotechu.ca

 

Ellen James's headshot

Ellen James

Women in Engineering & Engineering Outreach Coordinator, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

Hello, My name is Ellen James and I am the Women in Engineering and Engineering Outreach Program Coordinator. I graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from Western University, where I was involved in the Women in Engineering program, volunteered for the Engineering Outreach program, and completed an internship at Union Gas. After graduation, I joined Ferrero, the leading global chocolate and confectionery manufacturer (Nutella, Ferrero Rocher, Tic Tac, and Kinder Chocolate) as a project coordinator, and moved to Alba, Italy. Now back in Canada, I hope to use my experiences to help inspire women, spark joy, and promote the many opportunities women have in the world with an engineering degree. My door is always open!

Contact: ellen.james@ontariotechu.ca

  • Join our team!

    Engineering Outreach is hiring!

    Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. All candidates are encouraged to apply.

    Summer Program Instructor

    This position will run for the months of May to August 2020. Program Instructors will be tasked with developing STEM curriculum that promotes hands-on learning and delivering this content to students. Interested applicants should read the job posting in full and apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to vanessa.ironside@ontariotechu.ca by Monday, March 23rd at 11:59 PM.

    Summer Program Instructor job posting

     

    High School Leader

    This position will run for the months of July and August 2020. High School Leaders will be responsible for assisting Program Instructors with the delivery of content and will lead the classroom in terms of student engagement and behaviour management. Interested applicants should read the job posting in full and apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to vanessa.ironside@ontariotechu.ca by Friday, May 1st at 11:59 PM.

     High School Leader job posting

     

  • Previous Summer Program Instructors

       

    Sydney Smith's headshotSydney Smith

    c_wonder STEM Camps

    Hi, I’m Sydney Smith! I’m in my third year of Software Engineering here at Ontario Tech University. I’m involved with the women in engineering society, I am a senior peer leader and an ambassador for the university. In my spare time, I play guitar and sing, and I love learning new things. I’m so excited to be a camp instructor and share my love of technology with everyone!

     

    Daniel Nucci's headshotDaniel Nucci

    c_wonder STEM Camps

    Hi, I'm Daniel Nucci, I am currently studying Software Engineering at Ontario Tech University. I am a Camp Instructor for the c_wonder Summer Camp. I am an alumni of the FIRST Robotics Competition and have a huge passion for robotics. At the University I am involved in many STEM teams such as FSAE Motorsports and Ri3D. Despite my degree in Software Engineering, I love manufacturing and design Engineering. I hope to inspire young minds and teach STEM to the masses!

     

    Mark Fanous' headshotMark Fanous

    c_wonder STEM Camps

    Hello, my name is Mark Fanous and I am working as a camp instructor for the c-wonder Summer Camp. I just finished my 3rd year in Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Tech University. I really enjoy participating in sports such as soccer, ball hockey, and volleyball. I am very excited to be working for the c-wonder Summer Camp because I enjoy working with children as I have lots of past experience working with children at my church. I am excited to be teaching the students more about STEM-related concepts and practices this summer!

     

    Nicholas Varas' headshotNicholas Varas

    c_wonder STEM Camps

    Hey everyone – my name is Nicholas Varas and I am currently going into my second year of Mechatronics Engineering here at Ontario Tech University. I am one of your Camp Instructors for the c_wonder Summer Camp, and in my free time, I like to build robots and produce electronic and orchestral music. I am thrilled to be part of our University’s outreach team, and hope to share my knowledge of STEM with the brilliant minds of the future!