Empowering Youth in Genetic Counselling: Outreach Event Recap

The MSc in Genetic Counselling Graduate Program, in partnership with the Office of Access and Outreach, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, recently hosted an outreach event, "Unlock the secrets of genetics!" on February 16, 2024, at the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL), SickKids.

The aim of the event was to introduce 19 high school students from grades 10-12 from underrepresented backgrounds or identifying as experiencing any sort of socioeconomic barriers to the profession of genetic counselling with the hopes of increasing diversity in the field.  This half-day event was filled with interactive talks and group activities. For example, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on experiment to extract DNA from strawberries! The event also included an exclusive tour of the workspace of genetic counselling students, providing valuable insights into the profession. 

The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with one participant stating: "It was a wonderful experience... I believe this is an amazing opportunity to involve under-represented groups in this field."  Another high school student expressed interest in participating more in similar events, as they felt that “diversity is so important for the future of science.”

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of Tamara Braid and Nishaat Misquita, genetic counsellors at SickKids, dedicated genetic counselling students, as well as committed alumni and faculty of the U of T MSc program in Genetic Counselling, all of whom continue to inspire the next generation of genetic counsellors.

Learn more about the Genetic Counselling MSc Program