OCNews

An OC Professor’s curiosity and love for learning earned her a position as an Okanagan Science Centre Board member late last year, which she says has earned her a gold star from her young children.

Dr. Tara Carpenter is a Psychology Professor, teaching classes at the Kelowna and Vernon campuses. Students may have encountered her in Intro to Psychology, Social Psychology or Psychology and Law courses.

Her new position as a board member at the Okanagan Science Centre was a happy little accident, she said.

“I didn’t know that we had a science centre until I was on mat leave and I was looking for things to do with my kids,” she said. “We ended up going there and they love it and really enjoy it.”

She said one of her children asked her how things get approved to be on display at the Okanagan Science Centre. Her child’s curiosity, in turn, made her curious and when the Centre sent out an email looking for board member nominations, she threw her hat in the ring.

“I said, well, maybe I’ll find the answer (to my child’s question) at the board,” she said. “I nominated myself and they voted for me. I just got curious and I wanted to help a place out that my kids enjoy.”

Carpenter is now part of the Science Centre’s community engagement committee, where she and fellow committee members will help to extend the non-profit’s reach. She said part of what she will be doing is thinking through new opportunities for the Science Centre, as well as thinking about and supporting the organization of new exhibits.

“I think it’s a good role for me, being here as well (as a professor),” she said. “It’s a nice opportunity to use some of my skills in a different capacity. It’ll be a great chance for me to see how some sciences are done in the community rather than an institution.”

Carpenter said overall, she’s excited to share her experiences and expertise with the community in this volunteer position. She said she’s excited to work with her fellow board members and see how each of their strengths fit together.

“I think it’s important for people in the community who have skills, that they share those skills in a broader way,” she said. “I hope it’s encouraging to other people not just at OC, but other people in the community who have information, who have talents, who have these ideas, to share them. When you have something, you should put it out there.”

Carpenter added she hopes this will be a good chance to connect with community members outside of students and academia.

“The chance for me to contribute to something my kids love is huge,” she said.

In the end, it was something she didn’t quite intend to happen but now that it did, she hopes to share as much as she can in her new capacity as a board member.

Now, Carpenter is encouraging fellow OC community members to get involved with local organizations and nonprofits that are important to them. If anyone wants to join her in contributing to the Okanagan Science Centre’s fundraising efforts to replace its 30-year-old planetarium projector, more information on how to donate is available at the organization’s website.