PortsToronto Goes OFF Limits with the Canadian Association for Girls in Science and the Marilyn Bell I Electric Ferry!
PortsToronto was honoured to welcome Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS) scientist host Dr. Larissa to the Port of Toronto for an episode of its inspiring OFF limits video series, launched this summer to celebrate the organization’s 30
th anniversary, which takes viewers behind-the-scenes to exciting locations with inspiring STEM role models.
Children’s exposure to stereotypical images of STEM professionals plays a strong role in shaping their perceptions and their interest in entering STEM fields. Fortunately, research has shown that providing children and teens with diverse role models, such as those in OFF Limits, has a powerful impact.
In the episode OFF Limits: Going Electric which was released on Tuesday, August 2, Dr. Larissa takes a deep dive into the conversion of the Billy Bishop Airport
Marilyn Bell I ferry to 100 per cent electric power with STEM role model, PortsToronto Project Manager Jelena Ognjanovic. This innovative project, led by Jelena, brought together an all-Canadian roster of companies to achieve a first-in-Canada conversion project that had no existing blueprint.
The
Marilyn Bell I is the first completely electric, lithium-ion ferry in Canada, powered by 100 per cent renewable wind and solar energy through our partnership with Bullfrog Power. Its new electric propulsion system, entirely devoid of fuel components, will eliminate GHG emissions from the ferry operation – reducing Billy Bishop Airport’s direct emissions by an estimated 530 tonnes per year.
Watch the video today at
www.YouTube.com/GirlsInScience.
Learn more, and get inspired, at
www.GirlsInScience.ca.
About the Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS)
CAGIS is Canada’s largest and longest-running not-for-profit STEM club for girls, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming youth aged 7-16. It has been lauded for its excellence in science promotion by the prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion and the WCT Empowerment Award for leadership in inspiring girls to enter STEM. CAGIS has been featured in municipal, national, and international media and is grateful to have received funding from provincial and federal governments, corporations, scientific societies, and foundations.