Rural educators to receive innovative digital technology programs with Monsanto Fund's investment in Let's Talk Science

LONDON, ON, April 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Monsanto Fund announced a $76,000 investment in Let's Talk Science, a national, non-profit, science outreach organization. The investment allows Let's Talk Science to support the current and future needs of Grade 8-12 educators in rural areas and develop web-based programs and services to match these needs.

At the request of the Monsanto Fund, Let's Talk Science recently investigated the disparities between urban and rural educators in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. One finding from the study revealed that technology was available to many rural educators but classroom-ready digital resources were not. Let's Talk Science is using this knowledge to develop and implement initiatives and programs to assist educators.

"Recent research we conducted revealed the unique challenges faced by rural educators," said Bonnie Schmidt, Ph.D., President and Founder, Let's Talk Science. "With the significant investment from the Monsanto Fund, we can tailor Let's Talk Science programs to better support these educators and ensure that youth living in rural areas are given the tools needed to become 21^st century citizens and innovators."

One of the programs developed by Let's Talk Science that does support rural educators is CurioCity, which provides free web-based teaching resources and relevant articles and videos for educators and Grade 8-12 students. Educators can use CurioCity to access classroom-ready resources, including themes such as Biotechnology and Stem Cells, to engage students. With the investment from the Monsanto Fund, Let's Talk Science is increasing its educator resources and providing additional classroom-ready content.

"A key focus for Monsanto from a corporate giving perspective is rural education and rural teachers," explained Trish Jordan, public and industry affairs director with Monsanto Canada. "With the support of the Monsanto Fund and Let's Talk Science, we have been able to identify some of the unique needs of rural teachers and we look forward to working with Let's Talk Science and others to develop programs or services to help meet those needs and strengthen rural communities."

"Technology in the classroom has become an essential and permanent part of 21st century learning, and educators need classroom-ready applications to properly use those technologies," said Phil Langford, President, Saskatchewan Science Teacher's Society. "With this grant, CurioCity, a digital hub produced by Let's Talk Science, will give educators accessible resources and classroom tools to engage students in how science, technology, engineering and math apply to their everyday lives. Without support such as this in rural classrooms, some of our students would miss out on opportunities that might otherwise only be available to urban students."

Since 1993, Let's Talk Science has been developing and delivering innovative learning programs that get children and youth excited in science, technology, engineering and math. In addition to CurioCity, Let's Talk Science also mobilizes thousands of university and college students and science and technology professionals across Canada every year through the Let's Talk Science Outreach program. This program specializes in outreach to rural areas, with volunteers regularly visiting rural classrooms across the country to deliver hands-on science activities to children and youth free of charge. For more information on Let's Talk Science programs and resources, please visit www.letstalkscience.ca or www.ExploreCurioCity.org.

About Let's Talk Science:

Let's Talk Science is an award-winning, national, charitable, science outreach organization. Let's Talk Science creates and delivers science learning programs and services that turn children and youth on to science, keep them engaged in learning and develop their potential to become 21^st century citizens, innovators and stewards. For more information about Let's Talk Science, please visit www.letstalkscience.ca.

About the Monsanto Fund:

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

Media Contacts:

Maggie MacLellan
Communications Officer
Let's Talk Science
1-877-474-4081 ext. 239
[email protected]

Trish Jordan
Public and Industry Affairs Director
Monsanto Canada
204-985-1005
[email protected]