For immediate release
February 23, 2012
Ajax, Ontario — Chris Alexander, Member of Parliament for Ajax, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), today announced a federal investment of up to $968,900 for Scientists in School (SiS). The funding will create opportunities for young students in southern Ontario to discover science through hands-on activities, workshops and interaction with scientists in their own classrooms.
"Our government is focused on jobs and growth. We recognize that to fuel business innovation and technology development, young Canadians need to explore the benefits of pursuing an education or career in scientific fields," said MP Alexander. "This investment will allow Scientists in School to expand its workshops to new schools in Ontario and encourage students to become scientists in their own schools today, and southern Ontario's innovators in the future."
Scientists in School will use the funding to expand existing classroom workshop delivery in regions where it currently delivers limited programming, develop new and engaging workshop topics, and broaden the program to include French-language students particularly in the Ottawa area.
"Every child deserves to be inspired by science," said Cindy Adams, executive director of Scientists in School. "With the support of FedDev Ontario, Scientists in School will ignite the dreams of more Canadian children and youth, encouraging them to realize their potential."
The investment is provided through FedDev Ontario's Youth STEM initiative, aimed at encouraging students in kindergarten through grade 12 to pursue an education or career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also known as the STEM fields. The Youth STEM initiative is one of the ways the Government of Canada working to achieve a sustainable and prosperous economic recovery, and preserve Canada's economic advantage now and in the future.
For more information on Scientists in School and the project, please refer to the backgrounder.
The investment announced today supports the Government of Canada's science, technology and innovation agenda, which is focused on increasing the country's productivity, creating jobs and growing the economy.
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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For more information, contact:
Judy Paty
Office of MP Chris Alexander
905-426-6808
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
519-571-6879
Scientists in School (SiS) was established in 1989 with a mission to spark long-lasting interest in science, technology, math, environmental stewardship, and engineering among Ontario students and inspire them to reach their full potential through careers in those fields.
At the heart of SiS's work is its award-winning, hands-on science workshops designed to enable Kindergarten to Grade 8 students to become 'scientists in their schools.'
SiS also participates in community events and acts as a voice for science promotion.
Through its Youth STEM initiative, FedDev Ontario is investing up to $968,900 in Scientists in School that will allow the organization to:
- develop a full French-language program which will be made available to French Immersion and French-language school boards in the Ottawa area;
- expand its classroom workshop delivery in regions where SiS currently delivers limited programming; and
- develop new workshop topics.
More information about Scientists in School's programs is available at www.scientistsinschool.ca.
FedDev Ontario's Youth STEM provides funding to eligible not-for-profit organizations to expand, enhance and coordinate the reach and impact of educational outreach programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for children and youth in kindergarten through grade 12. The initiative is designed to encourage young people to pursue further studies and careers in these fields, creating a future talent pool that is well-positioned to fuel business innovation and growth in southern Ontario.
For more information, please refer to the program information available on the FedDev Ontario website at www.feddevontario.gc.ca.
