(Edmonton) It could start after exploring the surface of the moon through a telescope, or catching insects in the backyard. Perhaps it happens when a group of friends get together to build a robot that can fly. Whatever the activity, there is that special moment when a young person discovers a passion for science.
And DiscoverE, a science and engineering outreach program in the University of Alberta Faculty of Engineering, has just received a $75,000 federal funding award to help spark that passion amongst young people.
DiscoverE director Ilana Young says she's thrilled by the news. The funding will support programs already underway-as well as exciting new initiatives.
For example, Young cited the Alberta Girls Engineering and Technology Summit, which brought girls to campus earlier this year for engineering and coding-themed activities. Those students stayed on campus in student residences and had a chance to tour BioWare, a world-renowned video game company.
Moving forward, the outreach program will be able to strengthen its offerings.
"This year we're going to be able to revamp some of our programs by purchasing new technology and materials," Young said. "We plan to purchase Arduino kits and Raspberry Pis without impacting the cost of our clubs."
Since 2000, DiscoverE has worked hard to build lasting relationships with Indigenous communities, and Young says the funding will help strengthen those bonds and programs for First Nations participants.
"We're going to use the funds towards our Indigenous outreach," said Young. "We want to create more intentional programming that is relevant to the communities we visit. This funding will allow for our travel to communities . . . and allow us to engage in meaningful opportunities of cultural exchange and dialogue."
DiscoverE was established by University of Alberta engineering students 25 years ago, and by many measures, has become one of Canada's most successful science, technology and engineering outreach programs. DiscoverE delivers fun, educational programs to kids in more than 80 communities in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, reaching over 26,000 participants every year. DiscoverE has won three of the prestigious international Google RISE Awards-the only organization in the world to have been awarded more than one.
The Government of Canada funding will be used to support science centres, day camps, after-school programs and more to encourage young Canadians to make science part of their education, their careers, and their lives. These grants impacted more than 1 million young people last year.