YuYen Pan

I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Earth Sciences at SFU, and I love sharing our fascinating Earth with others! Being part of the SFU Science in Action program, I host a workshop called "Volcano Explorer: Unleashing Canada's Hot Secrets," in which kids and I explore Canada's volcanoes and related hazards through hands-on activities with jello, chocolate syrup, and dry ice involved (how fun it is)! I also participate in other outreach activities like museum exhibitions, Skype a Scientists, Geoheritage Day, etc. I also have a YouTube channel named "PlaYinStone Studio," where I create and share content on topics like geologist's life, minerals, and fossils, aiming to ignite public excitement and curiosity for our beautiful Earth.

What got you into outreach programming?

When I was just 11 years old, I was already someone who loved sharing my passion for science. I vividly recall volunteering as a guide for trees on our school campus, teaching younger kids about them. However, my official entry into the world of science communication happened in 2015. It was then that some friends and I started a YouTube channel focused on Earth Science. This opened up exciting opportunities for me to engage in different types of outreach activities, like designing exhibitions for museums and Geoparks.

What I discovered during this journey was that I absolutely enjoyed the process of making science accessible to everyone.

What do you enjoyed the most about reaching out to young people or the public.

I absolutely love the "Wow" moments. The excitement in people's eyes (and sometimes even screams) is what keeps me motivated to continue with my outreach work! Plus, it's amazing how kids often come up with cool ideas I hadn't thought of before, which makes it even more interesting and exciting.

What advice do you have for a young person wanting to pursue outreach as a part of a science?

It's always fantastic to see new faces entering the world of science communication! 

For the advice, I believe it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your target audience, your chosen communication methods, and your own strengths and weaknesses. When I initially started my work, I didn't have these aspects in mind, so the products I built didn't have the impact I hoped for. It's a learning process, and there will be plenty of trial and error.

Most importantly, never give up! Science communication isn't always easy, and I still face challenges all the time. However, there are numerous resources available to help with outreach, so don't hesitate to reach out when you need assistance.

If you can meet a famous person for coffee, who would it be?

Hmmmm… I don’t know. I think I would rather have coffee with my family or friends.