Federal funding helping Ontario university provide STEM programs for youth

A three-year funding boost from the federal government valued at $540,000 will help Ontario Tech University’s Engineering Outreach program continue to deliver science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experiences for youth.

The program has been helping young people develop foundational skills, discover new interests and envision themselves as future innovators, engineers and technology leaders for the past decade through camps, workshops, in-school programming and community partnerships.

The funding from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada’s PromoScience program will provide stability for the Engineering Outreach’s ongoing operations, supporting staff who design and deliver outreach activities while enabling the team to expand their reach into new communities. By investing in program delivery and personnel, said Dr. Qusay Mahmoud, the Assistant Dean of Engineering Outreach, Ontario Tech can continue building meaningful relationships with schools, community organizations and youth-serving partners across the region and beyond.

“This funding is a testament to the dedication of our staff, student instructors, volunteers, and community partners who work every day to make STEM accessible, engaging and inspiring. We thank NSERC for its continued support and look forward to building on our success by empowering even more youth to discover their potential through engineering and STEM.”

The Engineering Outreach program reaches thousands of youth each year while providing educators with tools and resources that support STEM learning in classrooms.

Mahmoud hopes the funding will strengthen programs designed for girls, Indigenous youth, Black youth and youth with disabilities, while creating new opportunities to reach underserved communities throughout the province.

The investment also comes at a critical time as emerging technologies continue to transform education and the workforce. The next phase of Ontario Tech’s Engineering Outreach programming will prioritize the integration of artificial intelligence literacy across outreach activities, helping participants develop an understanding of AI technologies, their applications and societal implications. The program will also embed future-focused themes into STEM learning experiences, such as culturally relevant content that empowers youth to envision STEM as a tool for building just and sustainable futures; equitable access to technology; ethical innovation; and community leadership.

“Ontario Tech Engineering Outreach inspires and empowers young people to see themselves as future innovators, engineers and technology leaders by delivering engaging STEM experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and cultivate pathways to success in engineering and technology,” said Dr. Hossam Kishawy, the Dean of the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. “(This) continued investment will further expand our reach and provide transformative STEM experiences that inspire young people, strengthen communities, and help build Canada’s future talent pipeline.”