You are never too young to be an innovator - Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains speaks to students in high-school STEM club as they show off their robots Français
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 23, 2017 /CNW/ - A career in the sciences can open up new doors and lead to a lifetime of fascinating discoveries. That's why the Government of Canada is promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and encouraging students to pursue their studies and nurture their curiosity in these fields.
That was the message delivered by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, who spoke today to high school and elementary school students in Mississauga.
Minister Bains toured Glenforest Secondary School's 22nd Century Lab, where roughly 80 students showed off their robots and other technologies that will be part of an upcoming STEM conference. Elementary school students were also invited to participate in the demonstration and had the opportunity to display the LEGO robots they created under the guidance of the students in the high school's STEM club.
Fostering an appreciation of STEM education and encouraging young Canadians to pursue STEM careers are key to strengthening the future of Canada's economy and growing Canada's middle class. In February, the Government launched a national campaign, which has "Choose Science" as its promotional tagline, to encourage young people to enter STEM fields. The campaign website features easy, home-based experiments and citizen science projects that parents, teachers and mentors can use to support the students in their lives who foresee a future in research.
Quotes
"I'm delighted to see so much curiosity in our young people and to see the tremendous excitement that exists for STEM fields. When you ask questions and explore possibilities, you are on the road to making discoveries that can change Canada and the world for the better."
– The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
"We are very pleased Minister Bains was able to experience first-hand the products of our students' critical thinking, creativity and innovation skills. Students and staff accomplish amazing things together if they are allowed to work outside the confines of the curriculum documents."
– Cheri Riddell, Principal, Glenforest Secondary School
Quick facts
- Glenforest Secondary School's STEM club is one of the premier organizations of its kind for high school–age students. It organizes conferences and other events to expose students to opportunities in STEM education, including the upcoming Canadian Youth STEM Conference at the Pearson Convention Centre.
- The Government of Canada has made STEM promotion a priority. It is expanding its PromoScience Program so it can increase support to organizations that offer youth, in particular young women and girls, opportunities to pursue their interest and develop skills in STEM.
- As announced in Budget 2017, the Government is also funding up to 10,000 new work-integrated learning opportunities per year through Mitacs research internships.
- The Government is also helping employers create more experiential learning placements in STEM fields, providing new opportunities for youth, including young women and Indigenous peoples.
- For more information on the Choose Science campaign and how the Government is supporting STEM education, go to www.science.gc.ca.
Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @MinisterISED
SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Karl Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]
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