NSERC Awards $1.4 Million to Promote Science and Engineering Among Canadian Youth

Ottawa, Ontario, March 4, 2002 - Maurizio Bevilacqua, the Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development today announced, on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), grants totalling $1.4 million to 41 Canadian organizations that are helping attract young people to careers in science and engineering.

"These grants will help build a more innovative Canada, resulting in jobs and growth and a higher quality of life for all Canadians," said Industry Minister Allan Rock. "We want Canada to move from 14th place to one of the top five countries in the world for research and development - attracting and retaining the best and brightest minds."

"It is encouraging to see that so many Canadian organizations are supporting our youth by providing them with solid learning opportunities in sciences and engineering," said Secretary of State Bevilacqua. "With their knowledge and creativity, today's youth will bring Canada closer to its goal of being in the top five countries in research and development."

"By awarding these grants, we are making a sound investment in Canada's youth," said Dr. Tom Brzustowski, president of NSERC. "We were particularly pleased to see there was a significant number of applications from organizations promoting science and engineering in northern communities."

Here are examples of organizations receiving grants under NSERC's PromoScience program. They run practical, interactive training programs for youth that open the door to opportunities in the sciences and engineering.

• The Nunavut Research Institute in Iqaluit invites innovative speakers to promote science in schools throughout the three regions of Nunavut. Some presentations will be co-ordinated with regional science fairs. The Nunavut Research Institute will receive $21,000 from NSERC.

• Space West Science Activities Inc. based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, runs science summer camps and special programs for Saskatchewan youth. Its science and technology outreach will be extended into Western Canada and a virtual youth and educators' resource centre will be established. Space West Science Activities Inc. will receive NSERC support totalling $58,600 over three years.

• The Centre de recherche en infectiologie of Université Laval and the Cégep Lévis-Lauzon in Québec City, invites groups of high school or college students to be "A Scientist for a Day." This gives them the opportunity to meet researchers, learn about the latest technological advances, find out about the different career options in science - and develop a passion for them. The Centre de recherche en infectiologie will receive $51,000 from NSERC over three years.

• The University of British Columbia's Department of Physics and Astronomy in Vancouver, British Columbia, will receive $41,700 from NSERC over the next three years for the Physics and Astronomy Outreach program. This program builds awareness of physics and astronomy through summer camps, teacher workshops, high school physics contests, demonstrations, school visits, and special events.

• The Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph in Ontario will receive $71,100 from NSERC over the next three years. Up to 5,000 classrooms of students in Grades 3 through 6 from across Canada will design and execute experiments to test the effects of space environment on plant seeds which have been aboard the International Space Station.

• Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, will receive $38,700 from NSERC over the next three years for the Atlantic Science Links Association, a non-profit science promotion organization that co-ordinates a volunteer-based educational program named Scientists and Innovators in the Schools (SITS). SITS brings scientists to classrooms of all grade levels to help students better understand science, technology, engineering and mathematics through demonstrations and innovative science activities.

The regional breakdown of the 41 organizations that have received grants is shown in the appendix.

For more information on the other organizations that have received grants, visit the PromoScience Web site at www.nserc.ca/promoscience.

The PromoScience program helps organizations that give young Canadians opportunities to increase their knowledge of science and engineering, and encourages them to consider careers in science and technology.

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.

On February 12, 2002, the Government of Canada launched Canada's Innovation Strategy, two papers that lay out a plan to address skills and innovation challenges for the next decade. The paper released by Minister Rock was entitled Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity. It proposes goals, targets and priorities for Canada over the next decade to: create knowledge and bring ideas to market more quickly; ensure a skilled workforce in the new economy; modernize business and regulatory policies while protecting the public interest; and, strengthen communities by supporting innovation at the local level. Today's announcement supports this strategy.

For more information about Canada's Innovation Strategy or to obtain a copy of either Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians or Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity, please call 1-800-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) or visit http://www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca

For more information, please contact:

Judy Paron
Program Officer
Scholarships and Fellowships Division
NSERC
Phone: (613) 996-1417
E-mail: judy.paron@nserc.ca