Mya McKinnon

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MYA MCKINNON

I’m a student, educator, and science communicator with a strong focus on space, planetary science, and STEM outreach.I currently study Earth and Planetary Science Communications at Brock University, where my interests include astronomy, planetary science, astrobiology, and science communication.Throughout this school year I have been working part-time virtually as a Science Communication and Marketing Intern at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, where I support science outreach, communication, and marketing initiatives. This is a continuation of my intern at the Space Centre from the summer, where I was the Summer Intern. My work included developing space science content, promoting and delivering educational experiences such as portable planetarium experiences, and supporting public-facing events that engage diverse audiences with space science.I have extensive volunteer experience with SEDS-Canada, a student-run nonprofit advancing space education and industry engagement across Canada. My roles have included space content creator, marketing lead, and gala co-lead, contributing to the last 5 Canadian Space Conferences. I was recently elected to the Board of Directors as Events Chair, where I facilitate national-level programming and partnerships.My technical experience includes working as a Geophysical Summer Student with Cameco Corporation, where I acquired and analyzed passive seismic data in Northern Saskatchewan. I’ve further applied these skills through competing in the 2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge on “Seismic Detection Across the Solar System.”In education and outreach roles, I’ve worked as a Seasonal Education Facilitator at Nutrien WonderHub, creating hands-on science programming for children aged 5–10. I actively volunteer as a space science guest speaker at various Saskatoon Preston Early Learning Centre locations and have taught planetary science numerous times with the Niagara GeoPark Kids Rock Club.I am the Miss Teenage Saskatchewan 2022 titleholder and Miss Teenage Canada 2022 Second Runner-Up, using my platform to advocate and fundraise for STEM education in Canada. I also have professional modeling experience across Canada and internationally in Italy.Driven by a lifelong passion for space, I aspire to become an astronaut someday, and to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science, exploration, and the public understanding of space.