Volunteer Extraordinaire

For 17-year-old Calgarian Eden Full, success has a simple formula: find out what you love and start pursuing it. She demonstrates this in her own life through her passionate commitment to science and technology. Eden graduated this year from John G. Diefenbaker High School with an International Baccalaureate Diploma, meaning that her high school timetable was composed entirely of advanced IB courses.

Her last name appropriately describes her congested schedule — Eden is the Alberta Provincial Coordinator of Youth Science Canada’s student mentorship program where she collaborates with others to develop programs for youth; she’s the founder of Roseicollis Technologies, which is aimed at implementing accessible solar energy in developing countries; her term as the Ambassador for Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta just ended; Eden gives presentations to local youth programs and schools about science; AND she still finds time periodically to volunteer at Telus World of Science Calgary, the Aero Space Museum and the Science Alberta Foundation.

For Eden, the volunteer aspect of each of her ventures is equally as important as the valuable experience she’s gaining. She says, “Because I have been inspired since the age of three to pursue a career in science and technology, I try to give back to the community that helped me develop my passion.” Due to her countless efforts to improve the community and promote science, she has won this year’s Leaders of Tomorrow Award, given out by Volunteer Calgary. “The Leaders of Tomorrow Award encourages students – I am merely one out of thousands in our city – to pursue leadership roles,” she says modestly.

Eden hopes that one day her efforts will bring her closer to becoming a social entrepreneur and engineer with the opportunity to work towards developing accessible technologies for impoverished countries. To help her achieve her goals, Eden will be starting her first year of mechanical engineering at Princeton University in New Jersey in September. She says of her plans for the future: “I hope to start my own non-profit organization to distribute my solar panel invention in a developing country.” And we know she will get there! Congratulations Eden!