A $500,000 donation from Tenaris to the DiscoverE program ensures kids will have access to fun-filled educational experiences.
(Grande Prairie, Alberta) Hundreds of kids will get to take part in fun-filled technology, science and engineering learning programs because of a major gift to the University of Alberta's DiscoverE outreach program.
The $500,000 gift was announced by Tenaris Canada President Guillermo Moreno during a presentation Sept. 5 in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Moreno said Tenaris is excited about working with the University of Alberta and extending DiscoverE programming to communities where the energy company lives and operates.
"We're thrilled to help youth gain exposure to, and hopefully interest in, fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Moreno.
"To ignite that desire is critical to may sectors, but especially advanced manufacturing and energy. At Tenaris, our excellence relies on our people. We hope that by sparking an interest in STEM and connecting youth with the University of Alberta, we can help develop Tenaris's future leaders."
The donation is a five-year partnership between Tenaris and the Faculty of Engineering and will help bring more DiscoverE programs to Grande Prairie, Fort Saskatchewan, Calgary and Estevan, SK.
For the past 25 years, DiscoverE has been providing hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs to children and youth across Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and northern B.C. It delivers a variety of engaging camps, after-school clubs, workshops and special events designed to nurture young people's interest in engineering, science and technology, and encourages them to consider a future in STEM fields.
Connecting with youth from rural communities is a priority for DiscoverE.
Ania Ulrich, Associate Dean (Outreach) with the Faculty of Engineering, says the gift will help DiscoverE maintain and grow its presence in meaningful ways, in communities that Tenaris plays a key role.
"When we return to these areas year after year," Ulrich said, "we strengthen our partnerships and maximize the impact of our programs."
Access to extra-curricular and beyond-the-classroom science and engineering learning opportunities are often limited in rural communities. However, providing consistent and high-quality engagement throughout a child's education can influence their decision to pursue a STEM career.
"Tenaris's donation is significant in helping us achieve this," said Ulrich.
A portion of the gift will also support undergraduate engineering students at the University of Alberta by establishing the Tenaris Leadership Scholarships. These scholarships will provide financial assistance to engineering students-giving preference where possible to former DiscoverE participants.
DiscoverE is largest outreach organization of its kind in Western Canada, bringing programs to kinds in more than 80 communities, and reaching over 26,000 participants per 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.