Government of Canada Announces Award Winners at Science Odyssey Launch

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 6, 2016) - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced $4.8 million dollars in awards today for 43 recipients to be supported by the PromoScience program, which enables science outreach across Canada. The announcement was made at the Canadian Association of Science Centres annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. The program provides funding to science centres, day camps, after-school programs, science outreach organizations, networks and more to support youth engagement in science

Minister Duncan, along with Dr. B. Mario Pinto, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), made the announcement at the start of Science Odyssey, a 10-day national celebration of science-based activities and events across Canada. The focus of Science Odyssey is to showcase the wonders of Canadian science, technology, engineering and math to youth and the public at large.

Quotes

"Initiatives like Science Odyssey and the PromoScience program help young Canadians and their families explore science right in their own communities. Programs such as these also inspire a sense of curiosity among our youth and may encourage them to pursue a life in science."

-The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

"It is my pleasure to launch this national celebration as fostering science culture in Canada is one of NSERC's top priorities. PromoScience recipients are excellent examples of organizations raising the profile of natural sciences and engineering. Through Science Odyssey, many of them will be taking science out of the labs and directly to Canadians, helping make science part of the conversation around the dinner table."

-Dr. B. Mario Pinto, President, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Quick Facts

• Science Odyssey is 10 days of discovery and innovation from Friday, May 6, to Sunday, May 15, 2016.
• Activities range from science in the streets, visits to labs, science fairs, talks and conferences, school field trips, encounters with researchers and scientists, special exhibits at museums and science centres, scientific events at community organizations, online activities, and much more.
• Science Odyssey replaces the National Science and Technology Week as Canada's celebration of STEM activities.
• PromoScience provides financial support for organizations working with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science and engineering (including mathematics and technology).

Associated Links

Science Odyssey

PromoScience

PromoScience Grant Recipients 2015

Where NSERC Invests and Why

A Vision of NSERC in 2020

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