Sana Waseem: A Demonstration of Excelling Leadership in STEM Education

Sana

Introducing the one and only Sana Waseem- a force to be reckoned with in the world of leadership in STEM. With a dazzling array of accomplishments under her belt, Sana is a true inspiration to anyone looking to make their mark in the world. She is currently a math, science, and art teacher in Calgary, Alberta. Her creative flair shines through with her love for knitting, crocheting, and painting. Additionally, Sana is a book enthusiast and coaches soccer and badminton. 

Sana is committed to increasing representation in the exciting world of science, technology, and engineering. When asked about her goals as an educator and vision for the future, Sana answers: "I strive to empower gender-diverse youth to gain the confidence they need to enter what is often perceived as a ‘man's world’ and not only succeed but also begin to change it. I strive to encourage male youth to develop the capacity to include, uplift, and support those around them as allies and co-conspirators on the path to greater gender-based equity rather than feeling like the enemy. I aim to help build a society that is fair and kind to all individuals, regardless of gender."

It all started for Sana when she realised math was a gateway to helping her scientific mind record, process, and make sense of the information that made up the world around her. Together, this love for math and passion for science allowed her to get to where she is today. Sana fondly describes her journey in STEM as "fun", a sentiment that embodies her deep passion for sharing enjoyable and engaging learning experiences. Her commitment to creating these experiences is reflected in the profound impact she has on her students, providing them with the opportunity to develop their own love for STEM. 

Sana’s dedication to promoting women and gender-diverse individuals in STEM is exemplified in her collaborative efforts to secure grants specifically allocated for this purpose. Through these grants, she was able to offer STEM-based field trips to female students from lower economic backgrounds who might not have had access to such enriching experiences. As a result of Sana’s efforts, these students developed higher confidence in their STEM skills and gained hands-on experience in pursuing their passions. 

Furthermore, Sana plays an instrumental role in the success of the Canadian Association of Girls in Science (CAGIS) in Calgary. Sana stepped up and played an integral role in actually getting the Calgary branch of CAGIS up and running.  As the largest and longest-running STEM club for girls and gender-diverse youth aged 7-16 in Canada, CAGIS has provided countless opportunities for young people to explore STEM through engaging, hands-on activities. By stepping up, Sana has contributed to CAGIS most importantly by inspiring other volunteers and coordinators to cultivate their leadership skills. She continues to have an important leadership role in her students' lives, making STEM education a possibility all around.

As a woman of colour in science and leadership, Sana has been made acutely aware of the underrepresentation in her field. Driven by a desire to create positive change, she actively advocates for women to be promoted to higher levels and more significant leadership positions. Recalling her own experiences growing up, Sana remembers having only one female teacher and just a few female science instructors throughout her high school and university years. She also remembers working in science labs about a decade ago, where men dominated leadership positions. Sana longed for a world where women who excelled in their fields were fairly represented in their positions reserved for that excellence. While there has been some progress in recent years, Sana recognizes that there is still a lot of work to be done to dismantle the gender biases that continue to exist in society. Looking ahead, Sana aspires to assume a more influential role, one that would allow her to serve as a role model not only to her students but also to other educators and leaders in her field. With her passion for promoting STEM education and empowering young people, she envisions a future where she can inspire and support fellow teachers and leaders to step up and create positive change in their communities. 

In Sana’s own words, "Being the only woman in a room can be daunting. It takes a lot of courage to get yourself in there and get your thoughts and ideas taken seriously without giving up." But Sana Waseem is not one to give up. Her unwavering commitment to empowering young people, promoting diversity and inclusion, and breaking down barriers in STEM education and leadership make her a true inspiration and a trailblazer in her field.

Fun Facts about Sana

  • Favourite Food: Chickpea Curry (Channa Masala- a staple dish in North Indian cuisine)
  • Favourite Part of STEM: Sharing it with others to inspire them!
  • Dream Vacation: India
  • Favourite Element on the Periodic Table: Carbon because when it’s under extreme pressure, it begins to bling and shine!
  • Biggest Fear: Losing a loved one
  • Go-to Karaoke Song: Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid

Profile written by Alisha Anwar.