May 27, 2006

YOUTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Ministry of Research and Innovation is investing $3,935,191 in community-based projects that connect youth with researchers from across the province, under the Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program (YSTOP). 

YSTOP is part of a strategy to motivate and encourage youth to develop an interest in science and technology.  The program promotes science awareness activities to at-risk youth and youth living in rural and remote communities. 

Non-profit science awareness organizations, postsecondary and non-profit research institutions and industry and professional associations can apply to receive awards of up to $150,000 over three years.

In three rounds of YSTOP funding, 33 projects have been approved.  In round three, an emphasis was placed on projects that provide programs for at-risk youth.  Round 4 call for proposals is now open with a closing date of October 10, 2006.  More information on YSTOP is available at: www.ontario.ca/ystop.

Through YSTOP, the government funds youth-based, science awareness projects in diverse fields such as robotics, life sciences, environmental science, engineering and theoretical physics.  Projects provide hands-on science and technology experiences that bring together researchers and young people in face-to-face interactions.

Hundreds of youth will participate in science projects at research facilities across Ontario.  Activities range from performing experiments and analyzing the data, to conducting field research projects under the mentorship of environmental scientists.  Some examples of projects are listed below.  (For a complete list, please see accompanying Backgrounder).

Northern Ontario  

The University of Ottawa is sending graduate students to underserved communities such as North Bay, Timmins, Hearst and Moosonee to conduct interactive science workshops with Aboriginal and francophone high school students.  Students will travel to Ottawa to participate in laboratory work with leading-edge researchers.  Students will also be mentored by graduate students and researchers on science fair projects and given advice on careers in science and technology.

Medical students from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay will mentor youth in 28 remote and rural Aboriginal communities.  At-risk youth will also be brought to Thunder Bay for a science enrichment camp where they will work with researchers on projects.  As well, medical students and researchers will make presentations to high schools in and around Thunder Bay.

Southern Ontario

Conestoga College will provide one-on-one, hands-on, science and technology mentoring experiences for at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 24.  They will participate in field trips to reinforce the connection between math and science, research and technology and academic and career opportunities.  Youth from across southern Ontario will receive information on careers such as engineering, health sciences, tool and die, and welding that will help them make informed decisions about their future.

Southwestern Ontario

The University of Windsor will provide more than 3,500 youth, many from rural communities in southwestern Ontario, the opportunity to connect with engineering researchers in a variety of settings. Engineering graduate students will work on projects with students, followed by visits to the university to test their project in a research lab. Students will also visit an industrial research facility, such as DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc., to learn about research and its applications in various areas.

Eastern Ontario

Scientists from the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences in Cornwall will work with high school students and members of the community on river projects.  Students will conduct field research projects with scientists throughout the school year, learning about various sampling and analytical techniques.

Greater Toronto Area

The Samuel Lunenfield Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto will give inner city youth access to science experiences not available in their school curriculum.  Students in Grades 4 to 11 will participate in hands-on science experiments, such as isolating DNA from fruit and learning how worms contribute to scientific discovery.  High school students will also be invited to the institute for science days to attend workshops on the latest health research advances.

The Visions of Science Network for Learning will provide young people, particularly of African-Canadian heritage, and other underrepresented groups, with the opportunity to learn about science.  Various activities are planned, including science camps at the University of Toronto, where youth from the Greater Toronto Area will work with scientists engaged in groundbreaking research.  As well, science clubs during the school year will bring younger students together with researchers and university students.

Ontario-wide

The University of Guelph, Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and Ryerson University in Toronto will work with community partners across Ontario to deliver interactive research experiences to at-risk youth, with a particular focus on young women.  Conferences, summer camps, school visits and other activities will enable youth to connect directly with researchers, and encourage them to consider careers in science and technology.