Pilot initiative will help develop entrepreneurial skills in K-12 youth
February 25, 2015 – Fredericton – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The Science East Association Inc. and Brilliant Labs are working to deliver up to 125 classroom projects, create a mobile, technology enabled learning space, commonly known as a ‘makerspace’, and establish three additional youth-based ‘Brilliant Labs’ in New Brunswick schools thanks to investments from the federal and provincial governments.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and Bill Fraser, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture on behalf of Victor Boudreau, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, made the announcement today.
In addition to the makerspaces and classroom projects in schools across the province, the funding will help cover the costs associated with hiring a full-time office administrator and will enable the Executive Director to provide outreach and additional teacher support.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, is providing a contribution of $150,000 for the project while the Province of New Brunswick, through the Regional Development Corporation, is investing $50,000.
Quick Facts:
- Brilliant Labs, more commonly known as makerspaces, are creative, technology enabled learning spaces and workshops in schools.
- The mobile makerspace will be taken to fairs, summer camps, libraries, community centres, schools and exhibitions to reach out to youth and generate interest in rural areas.
- Brilliant Projects will provide resources in classrooms for innovative science, technology, entrepreneurship, engineering, arts and math projects and promote community involvement.
- There are currently four youth-based makerspaces in schools in Fredericton, Miramichi, Saint-Antoine-de–Kent, and Clair that have been successful and have had positive outcomes.
- The Science East Association Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire and inform through hands-on science experiences, will help manage the Brilliant Labs project.
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to support Science East and Brilliant Labs as they work to provide youth with practical, hands on learning experiences to help them develop entrepreneurial skills. Giving our future leaders an opportunity to grow their ideas and talent, while igniting interest in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology at an early age is a positive step toward ensuring long-term prosperity for our region.”
- The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Member of Parliament for Fredericton, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“This investment reflects our commitment to creating New Brunswick’s most job-ready generation to help move our province forward. We applaud the work of Brilliant Labs and Science East, and their commitment to providing children throughout the province with innovative, creative ways to promote learning and fun.”
- Bill Fraser, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, on behalf of Victor Boudreau, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, Province of New Brunswick
“We are very excited that we are getting so much support for our initiative to empower our Maritime youth for success in the 21st Century. Through collective impact, Brilliant Labs, with the help of the private and public sectors, can support New Brunswick youth and educators with Project Based Learning and Makerspaces to accelerate creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit.”
- Jeff Willson, Executive Director, Brilliant Labs
Associated Links:
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Lisa Gautreau
Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-471-1565
Elaine Bell
Communications Director
Economic Development/ Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
506-453-8607
Jeff Willson
Executive Director
Brilliant Labs
506-442-9059
