Robert Beda holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia, where his studies focused on mathematics, physics, computational science, and experimental methods. His academic background includes quantum mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermal physics, mechanics, computational physics, differential equations, and numerical analysis. Robert maintains a lifelong interest in the latest developments in quantum and cosmological physics. As an undergraduate researcher, Robert contributed to UBC’s gravitational-wave research connected with the LIGO project, developing data-analysis software used to help characterize observatory noise. He also worked on a microbial fuel-cell experiment for the CAN-RGX Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge with the UBC Rocket team. Robert brings a valuable combination of scientific knowledge and experience teaching young people. He has served as a teaching assistant for first-year physics students at UBC, tutored high-school and university students in STEM subjects, and volunteered with Pathways to Education. As a Robokids instructor, he led classes in robotics, coding, 3D design, and introductory physics, developing learning activities using LEGO robotics and computer simulations. Robert sees scientific inquiry as a collaborative endeavour. In his classes, he encourages students to investigate questions together, exchange ideas, and learn from one another’s observations and reasoning. Through experiments, technology, discussion, and problem solving, he aims to make complex scientific ideas understandable and engaging while helping students develop the curiosity and confidence to see themselves as young scientists.

Solmaz Khodaeifaal is the Programs Director for Science Circles and has a background in Atomic Applied Physics. Before coming to Canada, she worked as a mathematics and physics teacher in public and private high schools in Tehran. She has taught IB Physics High Level and Standard Level. Since 2011 she has been working with the International Baccalaureate Organization and its Diploma/Career-Related Program. Throughout her master’s degree completion at the University of British Columbia, she was involved in a number of field-based projects and experiences in Education. She also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration, MBA. All her background encouraged her in pursuing a doctoral program in Science Education with a particular focus on Curriculum and Pedagogy at Simon Fraser University. Her focus is on students’ engagement, their active roles in learning, and how adolescents can learn quantum mechanics at their early ages. With the experience of teaching physics and mathematics for various levels from elementary to high school, she strongly believes and emphasizes that youths—8th and 9th graders—are able to develop their learning of quantum mechanics with a focussed, well-designed, and aimed curriculum on waves principles and basics of quantum physics—wave-quantum-curriculum. She practices different creative pedagogical approaches in teaching and believes that learning occurs as a consequence of an individual’s direct activities and personal experiences. Solmaz thrives in educational environments with students, teachers, instructors, facilitators, educators, and whoever is passionate about making a difference and having a positive influence on learning and teaching mathematical sciences like physics.