Les Scientifines Receives an Award of Excellence for its Exceptional
Contribution to the Education of Young Girls
A dynamic mentoring program dedicated to training a future generation
of women scientists and engineers
(Montreal, Quebec) – Dr. Tom Brzustowski, President of NSERC,
today recognized the contributions to public education of the Scientifines
organization by awarding its Chair of the Board, Mrs. Claire Chamberland,
the Michael Smith Award for science promotion.
"Les Scientifines is an excellent model not only for the young
girls whom it helps, but also for society in general," said the
Honourable Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible
for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
(NSERC). "The four women now working for the organization should
be proud of their accomplishments: Their vision and dedication to the
education of young girls are exemplary."
"The founders of Les Scientifines and the women who have succeeded
them over the years have distinguished themselves by their vision, their
determination, and their personal commitment to these young ladies,"
said Dr. Brzustowski. "These girls are mentored four days a week,
even during the summer months, and in the process they acquire a much
broader scientific culture."
During the ceremony, Dr. Brzustowski presented a certificate of achievement
and a medal bearing the likeness of Michael Smith to Mrs. Chamberland,
which she accepted on behalf of Les Scientifines. This non-profit organization
also received the sum of $10,000 from NSERC.
The awards ceremony was held at the headquarters of Les Scientifines
in southwest Montreal, and was attended by approximately thirty young
girls who are now participating in its educational workshops. A young
immigrant who took part in the workshops offered by Les Scientifines
over a two-year period, Ms. Nafija Rahman, spoke of how her involvement
with the group helped her to adapt to her new environment and how it
instilled in her a great intellectual curiosity – not to mention
a decidedly Cartesian mindset.
Conferred in honour of the late Michael Smith, whose pioneering research
in genetics earned him a Nobel Prize in 1993, this award recognizes
the exceptional contribution of people or groups to the promotion of
science and engineering in Canada. It rewards candidates who have made
sustained and significant efforts to inspire public understanding and
develop abilities in science and engineering.
Since 1988, Les Scientifines has been promoting science to young girls
between 9 and 12 years old who live in underprivileged areas of Montreal,
by giving them free access to daily scientific activities after school.
The workshops focus on chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and
new information and communications technologies. They are designed to
offer these young girls positive role models and to stimulate the skills
and interest that will fuel their determination to persevere with their
studies and, ultimately, give them the option of choosing a career in
the sciences.
The five winners of this year's Michael Smith Award are:
Les Scientifines (Montreal, Que.)
Marie MacBeath (Fredericton, N.B.)
Bob McDonald (Toronto, Ont.)
Scientists in School (Pickering, Ont.)
YES Mag (Victoria, B.C.)
To learn more about the winners, visit NSERC's Web site at:
www.nserc.ca/news/2001/p010712.htm.
NSERC is the primary federal agency investing in people, discovery
and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research
through research grants, and project research through partnerships among
universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced
training of highly qualified people.
For more information, contact:
Yasmine El Jamaï
Public Affairs Officer
NSERC Communications
Tel.: (613) 947-5273
E-mail: yasmine.eljamai@nserc.ca
Michèle Brousseau
Associate Director of Les Scientifines
Tel.: (514) 938-3576
E-mail: scientifines@qc.aira.com
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