Dr. Anju Bajaj Honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal and BioScience Educator of the Year Award
Dr. Anju Bajaj, a STEM educator at Holy Cross School and STEM Advisor Manitoba Catholic Schools in Winnipeg, has recently been honoured with two prestigious awards: the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the BioScience Educator of the Year Award.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal was presented to Dr. Bajaj by The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. This medal recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their communities across Canada, emphasising service, environmental stewardship, sustainability, and the nation's rich diversity. Upon receiving the medal, Dr. Bajaj expressed her gratitude, stating, "This recognition is not just a personal achievement—it is a testament to the incredible people, mentors, and communities who have shaped my journey."
In addition to this honour, Dr. Bajaj was named the BioScience Educator of the Year by the BioScience Association Manitoba (BAM). This award celebrates educators who have inspired and empowered youth to explore the world of bioscience. Reflecting on this achievement, Dr. Bajaj remarked, "Standing on that stage, I couldn’t help but reflect on the journey that brought me here. The first time I received this honour from BAM in 2018 as Outstanding Science Educator of the Year, it was more than just an award—it was a turning point."
Dr. Bajaj's dedication to STEM education is evident through her various roles, including serving as a Let's Talk Science Teacher Leader, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba, SCWIST volunteer, consultant, researcher, and dynamic public speaker. She is also the founder and coordinator of the nationally accredited Bison Regional Science Fair, providing a platform for students to showcase their scientific talents.
Beyond her contributions to STEM, Dr. Bajaj is committed to holistic student development, creating hands-on learning experiences that foster academic excellence as well as social, emotional, and physical growth. Her leadership extends to organising clubs and programs that connect STEM with real-world applications, igniting a deep appreciation for science among students.
These recent accolades add to Dr. Bajaj's impressive list of honours, including the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM. Her relentless pursuit of excellence and passion for empowering the next generation underscore her invaluable contributions to education and community service.
Celebrating Success: A Recap of the 2025 International Day of Women and Girls in STEM Symposium
The 2025 International Day of Women and Girls in STEM Symposium was a monumental success, thanks to the unwavering support of Manitoba Catholic Schools administrators, students, and dedicated volunteers. This event not only celebrated the contributions of women and girls in STEM but also provided a platform for young innovators to showcase their skills and creativity.
A heartfelt thank you goes to the Holy Cross School administration team for their exceptional efforts in hosting this inspiring event. Their dedication ensured that the day ran smoothly, creating an engaging and memorable experience for all involved.
Recognizing Our Champions
We are thrilled to announce the winning teams of the 2025 STEM Symposium:
These teams demonstrated remarkable dedication, perseverance, and innovative thinking. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the hard work they put into their projects. As a token of appreciation, all participants received SWAG bags, recognizing their enthusiasm and commitment to STEM.
Honoring Our Special Guests
We were deeply honored to have the presence of distinguished guests at the event:
Their dedication to gender equity in STEM and their unwavering support for young minds left a lasting impression on all attendees.
The Government of Manitoba also proclaimed February 11, 2025, as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, reinforcing their commitment to fostering equality and opportunity in STEM fields.
A Personal Moment of Gratitude
Dr. Anju Bajaj was deeply touched to receive a beautiful Ribbon Skirt from Minister Renée Cable, symbolizing respect, unity, and our shared commitment to empowering women and girls in STEM. This moment will forever serve as a reminder of our collective strength and resolve to create an inclusive, barrier-free future for all.
Looking Ahead: The BIG GAME!
The International Day of Women and Girls in STEM Symposium was just the beginning! We are already looking forward to the Bison Regional Science Fair on April 10, 2025. Young innovators will once again have the opportunity to showcase their groundbreaking ideas, with the ultimate prize being a free trip to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton from May 31 - June 6, 2025. Registration is open now, please see the link https://bit.ly/4agy6sf and secure your spot NOW!
A Call to Action for Our Young Minds
To all of our young STEM enthusiasts: the journey doesn’t stop here. Dream big, break barriers, and embrace the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Your participation in STEM has only just begun, and we can’t wait to see what you will achieve next!
Thank You to All Who Made This Event Possible
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this event a success. Your passion, dedication, and belief in the power of STEM continue to pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Let’s keep working together to inspire, uplift, and celebrate diversity in STEM!
With gratitude,
Dr. Bajaj
STEM Advisor, Manitoba Catholic Schools
Breaking Barriers in STEM: Dr. Anju Bajaj at Soapbox Science Winnipeg
On Saturday, September 14, 2024, Dr. Anju Bajaj, STEM Advisor for Manitoba Catholic Schools, participated in the Soapbox Science Winnipeg event, presenting her talk titled "Opening the Door: Explore How Science is Happening Around Us." This inspiring event showcased the work of 12 exceptional women and non-binary scientists from Manitoba, selected from a competitive pool of researchers.
Soapbox Science offers a unique platform for scientists to engage directly with the public, highlighting their expertise and fostering connections within the community. The event not only promotes visibility and challenges gender biases but also emphasizes the importance of diversity in the scientific field. Dr. Bajaj’s passion for STEM and commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) was evident as she inspired attendees with her insights into technology, science, agriculture, medicine, and engineering.
The day was filled with discovery and learning, nurturing confidence and public speaking skills among participants. Dr. Bajaj’s involvement exemplifies the drive to break down barriers and create a more inclusive future for science, fostering personal and professional development for all involved.
Congratulations to Baljot Rai of St. Paul's High School on winning the 2024 Loran Scholarship! See the Free Press article here.
Team Bison Honoured at Manitoba Legislature for Outstanding Achievements
Congratulations to Team Bison for their remarkable recognition at the Manitoba Legislature Building on May 16, 2024. This accolade highlights the immense hard work, dedication, and passion of every team member. Founded in 2018 by Dr. Anju Bajaj, STEM Advisor for Manitoba Catholic Schools, the Bison Regional Science Fair (BRSF) has grown to become one of the largest regional science fairs in Canada. Its success is fueled by the dedication of volunteers, the generosity of sponsors and donors, and the unwavering support of the Manitoba community, welcoming participation from students across the province.
BRSF's core mission is to increase youth participation in STEM, offering hands-on experience in research and experimentation. Participation in the fair cultivates essential skills and presents a diverse array of challenges, encompassing all unique disciplines within STEM. This broad focus ensures students can explore their interests and contribute to numerous scientific fields.
This year, Holy Cross School and Bison Regional Science Fair hosted over 300 students from schools across the province, fostering a love for science and supporting young scientific minds. BRSF serves as a stepping stone for aspiring scientists, sending top competitors to prestigious events like the Canada-Wide Science Fair.
Representing Manitoba at the Canada-Wide Science Fair are:
-Sneh Vyas with research on SkinDeepAI: Streamlined Detection of Skin Cancer Using Deep Learning
-Ayshani Mukerji with research on prioritizing the environment in fashion.
-Ella Agpalza with research on solar-powered water desalination.
-Miles Girardin with research on changing lights for emergency vehicles.
-Baljot Rai with research on MopMussels: Development of a Carpet Mussel Shell-based Biosorbent for Phosphorus.
Please join us in congratulating Sneh Vyas, Ayshani Mukerji, Ella Agpalza, Miles Girardin, Baljot Rai, and their mentor Dr. Anju Bajaj. They will travel to Ottawa later this month to showcase the incredible scientific work being done right here in Manitoba.
We wish them the best of luck in the competition ahead and in their future scientific endeavors. Video link
Highlights of 2024 Catholic Schools Day: Educating for Eternity
photo credits: Vincent Ocampo and Jason Cegayle
2023 Bison Regional Science Fair
It is with great honor and excitement that I share the exceptional achievements of our team, Bison Manitoba, at the Canada-wide science fair in Edmonton. Competing against 340 discovery and innovative projects, we have earned well-deserved accolades and recognition. All our finalists received well earned awards at the national science fair!!!
We are thrilled to share our accomplishments, which include one of our Bison finalists Keerthan representing Canada at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Dallas, USA; at national level Anika Paliwal receiving the Excellence Award-Bronze Medal and scholarships from the University of Western Ontario ($1000), University of Alberta ($2500), and University of Ottawa ($1000), ; as well as scholarships for Sneh Vyas ($1000) and Baljot Rai ($1000).
I am delighted to inform you that Baljot Rai has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious Canadian Stockholm Junior Water Prize. His groundbreaking work on using zebra mussel shells to absorb phosphorus in water has been highly regarded.
We are privileged to be among the top contenders who will submit reports on our projects, and we eagerly anticipate representing Canada in the International Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition in Stockholm, Sweden.
We were on the CBC Edmonton and global TV. Here is a link for you
'It's an honour': Winnipeg teen to represent Canada at youth STEM competition: CTV news link
__________________________________________
Our recent Science Fair event was a huge triumph. The amount of energy, dedication, and passion demonstrated by everyone involved, including the students, parents, teachers, judges, supporters, sponsors, and community members, was truly remarkable. I am proud to announce that our Team Bison Manitoba has been selected to represent us at the Canada-wide science fair in Edmonton from May 14-19, 2023. These students were selected based on their extraordinary skills in ingenuity, critical thinking, scientific excellence, and communication skills.
I urge everyone to support these young scientists by learning more about their projects and highlighting the value of STEM-based projects inside and outside of school, particularly for children and teens.
I want to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. Your unwavering support and dedication have been the driving force behind this achievement. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic community that celebrates the accomplishments of our young scientists.
Let us continue to work together towards greater achievements.
Dr. Anju Bajaj
Congratulations Dr. Anju Bajaj of Holy Cross School on receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal - 2022
National Meaning of Home youth writing contest raises $170,000 for Habitat for Humanity
Nine-year old winner chooses Habitat for Humanity Manitoba to receive $50,000 grant
Click HERE to see Ryan's winning submission - "HOME"
