Government of Canada Investment Helps Expose Youth to Science and Technology

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 27, 2012) - Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orleans, 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 $961, 275 for an Ottawa Network for Education project that exposes local students to computer programming and the opportunities that exist in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

"Our government knows that innovation for the future depends on helping our young people discover the possibilities that exist in science and technology," said MP Galipeau. "This investment will allow the Ottawa Network for Education to reach out to more than 10,000 students in the Ottawa area, encouraging them to take a closer look at the opportunities that exist in computer programming and technology, and contributing to future jobs, growth and long-term prosperity."

The Ottawa Network for Education will use the investment to extend its High School Technology Mentor pilot program to schools throughout the Ottawa area, including Francophone schools. Newly branded as TechU.Me, the program places employees from the local technology industry to serve as mentors in secondary school classrooms and helps students create their own computer software. Partners in the program include IBM, Adobe, RIM and Macadamian.

The expanded program from the Ottawa Network for Education will also include five weeks of summer camps, a "best mobile application" competition, and a basic programming course for students in grades 7 and 8.

"We are thrilled to receive the level of support that the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario is offering the TechU.Me program," said Kathryn McKinlay, President and CEO, Ottawa Network for Education. "FedDev Ontario's funding will help us provide today's youth with real opportunities to explore all that the tech industry has to offer in Ottawa."

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 Harper Government of Canada is working through innovation to drive growth and job creation in Canada.

For more information on the Ottawa Network for Education and the High School Technology Mentor program, please refer to the backgrounder.

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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This news release is available online at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.