If you have a great school science project, you might not assume it could lead you to Google’s headquarters in Silicon Valley. Think again, says Isabella O’Brien. She discovered her passion for environmental science when she was in grade four, testing the difference between bottled and tap water. A trip to Mexico in grade six sparked questions about ocean acidification and led to experiments in the basement of her home to help her better understand the issue. Today, as a recipient of the prestigious Trustee Scholarship at the University of Southern California, Isabella’s not just a scientist in the making, she’s a leading ocean acidification and lake calcium researcher and advocate. She’s received two gold medals at national science fairs and was a finalist at Google’s global science and technology competition. Isabella’s advised her MP on policy and she’s been honoured with numerous awards, including being named a Top 30 Under 30 sustainability leader, a Top 25 Environmental Leader Under 25 and the recipient of the Canadian Museum of Nature’s Nature Inspiration Award. Not bad for a student from Dundas, Ontario who just had some questions and wanted to find the answers.
To learn more about her story, her thirst for knowledge and why one person can use science to change the world, we spoke with Isabella by Skype.
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What do you think?
- What did you learn from Isabella’s story?
- Should scientists stay in their lane – research a question, come up with the answer and let others debate and advocate? Or is that view antiquated?
- Are some of the problems we face in society the by-product of the fact we limit what our scientists can say?
- Do we need to better understand the scientific process of inquiry to better appreciate scientific findings?
- How can we all use science in our work and in our life?
More on Isobella
Read about her work: Aquatic Osteoporosis: Remediating the Emerging Problem of Lake Calcium Decline, Dundas teenager earns national award for environmental advocacy, Ocean Acidification Combatted by Canadian Google Science Fair Finalist
Watch videos about her research: 2018 Youth Nature Inspiration Award, Aquatic Osteoporosis – Remediating the emerging environmental problem of lake calcium decline, Ocean Acidification – Can shell recycling buffer the effects of Ocean Acidification?
Favourite Book: Bad Blood: the Secret and Lies of a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyro and Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg by Kate Evans
Favourite Documentary: Icarus (on Netflix)
Favourite Website: Environment | The Guardian
