Government of Canada Investments Promote Science and Engineering to Canada's Youth

CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwire - May 17, 2012) - Science centres, museums and other organizations across Canada have received funding to engage young Canadians in a number of leading-edge initiatives-including those related to astronomy, mathematics, sustainable energy, chemistry and other science and engineering fields. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, today announced the recipients of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)'s 2011 PromoScience Grants.

"For Canada to be a global leader in innovation and to stay competitive and productive, our government recognizes that we need to show our young people the role innovation can play in their futures, encouraging more young people to consider careers in science and engineering, making these grants an investment in Canada's future," said Minister Goodyear. "These grants support local grassroots efforts to cultivate young people's interest in science and engineering,"

Through the PromoScience Program, the Government of Canada will provide $2.4 million to 49 organizations promoting science and engineering to young Canadians. These include universities, non-governmental organizations, museums and science centres.

In Charlottetown, Youth Science Canada (YSC) is receiving $225,000 in PromoScience funding over three years to continue its work engaging youth in science. The organization also encourages parents and educators to use inquiry-based learning to support critical thinking in science.

"The organizations being supported today are instrumental in promoting science and engineering to children and youth across the country," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. "They provide the spark that, in the right environment, will lead to a lifetime of creativity, generating new knowledge and the researchers of tomorrow."

NSERC is a federal agency that helps make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for all Canadians. The agency supports some 30,000 post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. The agency promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 2,000 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

A complete list of the 2011 PromoScience recipients can be found on NSERC's Web site.

Backgrounder

2011 PromoScience Program Competition

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)'s PromoScience Program offers financial support for organizations working with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science and engineering. Organizations may receive funding for up to three years.

The 2011 competition resulted in $2.4 million in funding being awarded to 49 organizations from across Canada. These organizations include universities, non-governmental organizations, museums, science centres and other groups. They offer a full range of programs focussing on topics such as environmental stewardship, astronomy, mathematics and chemistry. A complete list of the 2011 recipients can be found on NSERC's Web site.

The PromoScience Program supports hands-on learning experiences for young students and their science teachers. Grants may be used to cover improvements to program content or delivery, and new programs and activities. Grants can also be used to cover operational costs-such as salaries, travel, postage, materials and supplies, provided they relate to the promotion of science and engineering.

All eligible applications are peer reviewed by a committee chosen from the science and engineering promotion community, and the education community, based on their stature and expertise.