Do you want to learn more about a specific STEM field? Or maybe you have a child looking for more opportunities to advance their STEM skills in preparation for college?
Whatever the reason, if you’re looking for ways to expand your knowledge and participation in science, technology, math or engineering, the Canadian government has several ways to oblige you.
There’s a big incentive right now for governments, Canada included, to increase skilled workers in the STEM fields. In other words, this is a fantastic time to get involved because there are so many resources available for those who have the interest and the time.
A report from The Council of Canadian Academies shows that STEM skills are already crucial for many jobs, and provide diverse options even in competitive markets. In 2018, The World Economic Forum concluded that changes in technology and occupations are transforming the demand for skills more quickly than ever before.
To put it bluntly, the time is now.
The Government of Canada and other governmental partners have created many initiatives with the goal of increasing Canadian participation in STEM.
Here are a few examples:
The Schulich Leader Scholarships represent the biggest scholarships for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs in Canada. The program has a $100 million scholarship fund, and hands out about 50 scholarships for undergraduates every year. If you’ve got a whip-smart high school student with a talent for STEM, it’s not a bad idea to start researching the possibilities offered by this program.
The PromoScience Program, run by The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, gives financial support for organizations that work with young Canadians to improve their understanding of all four main STEM fields, science and engineering, as well as mathematics and technology. The program offers funding for direct learning experiences for students and their teachers. All applications are peer-reviewed by the PromoScience/NSERC Awards for Science Promotion Selection Committee.
The Science andTechnology Awareness Network of Canada “enhances the profile and influence of the science and technology education and public awareness sectors.” This group is great for networking and getting to know the major players in your region. They have an annual conference and offer funding for various STEM-related programs. If you’re a teacher involved in STEM or have a child already engaged in a STEM field, this could be a great place to expand your opportunities.
SHAD is a “STEM and entrepreneurship program for outstanding high school students in grade 10 and 11 that prepares students for real-world design challenges.” If you have an advanced high-school student yearning for more engagement with STEM, this program could be a great choice. The program started in Aurora, Ontario, in 1981, eventually growing into Shad Canada, which offers STEAM and entrepreneurship programs across the country. Every year, students at 19 different university campuses participate. At this point, more than 19,000 students have completed the Shad program, according to their website.
Did you know that ScoutsCanada has a STEM program? Clearly, everyone is trying to promote STEM! The Scouts program is “designed to promote interest in STEM as students experiment with tools and resources.”
We hope these were helpful, and we’ll keep you updated on other STEM opportunities!
