Science pour tous Earns NSERC Award for Science Promotion

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 26, 2011) - Montréal-based Science pour tous has received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Award for Science Promotion in recognition of the organization's work to unite the efforts of science promotion groups throughout Quebec. The $25,000 award is presented in honour of this organization's dedication to stimulating the interest of the public, particularly young people, in science and technology and to promoting scientific careers to young people.

"Our government applauds the work done by organizations like Science pour tous to cultivate interest in science among young Quebecers and other Canadians," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). "We want to encourage young people to discover and learn about science, technology, engineering and math to support our country's future economic growth."

Science pour tous brings together some 250 science promotion groups to foster a scientific and technological culture. It helps connect these groups with governments, businesses and the research community.

"The work done by Science pour tous in Quebec helps popularize science and encourage the next generation of eager young minds to pursue careers in science," said Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC. "This organization has done an exceptional job of supporting science promotion efforts throughout the province."

The NSERC Awards for Science Promotion honour individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the promotion of science in Canada through activities to encourage popular interest in science or develop science abilities. Two recipients (one individual and one group) may be selected for the awards each year.

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. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 12,000 professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 1,500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in post-secondary research projects.

The NSERC Awards for Science Promotion honour individuals and groups who make an outstanding contribution to the promotion of science in Canada through activities that encourage popular interest in science or develop science abilities. The group award is valued at $25,000.

Background on the 2010 winner:

Science pour tous, Montréal, Quebec

The mission of Science pour tous is to bring together scientific and technological literacy organizations in Quebec to support their activities. At its 2005 Symposium, Science pour tous developed a strategy to hold an annual Quebec-wide science and technology event over a defined 24-hour period. Thanks to its perseverance over the last five years, the event has been an unprecedented success in terms of activities, the engagement of organizations and associations, and the public's participation. The objectives for the event have always been to encourage direct meetings between researchers and the general public; to stimulate the interest of the public, particularly young people, in science and technology; and to promote scientific careers to young people.