Federal Government Announces Recipients of $5 Million Program to Foster Science Literacy and Numeracy

Five universities across Canada to spearhead pilot project program

Ottawa, Ontario, May 19, 2005 – The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry, today announced the recipients of five university-based Centres for Research in Youth, Science Teaching and Learning (CRYSTAL) across Canada that will share $5 million over five years to conduct research on the teaching and learning of mathematics and science (K-12), and develop practical solutions to problems in this area, including teaching tools and outreach programs that promote science literacy and numeracy.

A pilot program of Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC), the centres address teacher training and other factors promoting student success in science and math in a diversity of settings including aboriginal, rural and northern communities.

The selected centres are based at the following universities: the University of New Brunswick, the Université de Sherbrooke, the University of Manitoba, the University of Alberta, and the University of Victoria. The University of Alberta will take on the additional role of National Leader for this program. The centres will include researchers and partners from 18 universities, eight provinces and two territories.

“Science literacy and numeracy are vital skills in today’s innovation-based economy,” said Minister Emerson. “This program will provide a forum for the many partners who share an interest in enhancing the skills of science and mathematics teachers, and in developing resources for them to use in their work with our children in these important subjects.”

“We welcome the support of so many diverse partners in this endeavour, including schools, teachers’ associations, provincial education departments, science promotion organizations, and industry,” said Dr. Tom Brzustowski, President of NSERC. “NSERC places a great deal of importance on the need to encourage young Canadians to be knowledgeable about science, math and engineering, and consider these fields as career choices. With that in mind, we hope this pilot program can be expanded to support science education proposals from other universities.”

NSERC is a federal agency whose role is to make investments in people, discovery and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians. With an annual budget of more than $860 million, the agency supports more than 20,000 university students and postdoctoral fellows in their advanced studies. NSERC promotes discovery by funding more than 10,000 university professors every year and fosters innovation by encouraging more than 500 Canadian companies to participate and invest in university research projects.

The NSERC news team can quickly put you in touch with leading-edge researchers working on a broad range of studies and projects. Interested media can visit http://www.nserc.gc.ca and also subscribe to regular e-bulletins containing breaking research news and feature ideas.

For more information, contact:

Michael Dwyer
Media and Public Affairs Officer
NSERC Newsbureau
Tel.: (613) 992-9001
E-mail: michael.dwyer@nserc.ca

Christiane Fox
Office of the Honourable David L. Emerson
Minister of Industry
Tel.: (613) 995-9001