NSERC Supports Future Scientists

On July 7, 2010, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced the recipients of NSERC’s PromoScience program at Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Burnaby campus. This year, 51 organizations were awarded $3 million over three years for PromoScience projects.

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Last row: Kathryn Ovenell-Carter, co-director of Science Alive; Dr. Michael Stevenson, President of SFU; Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology); Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC; Dr. Mario Pinto, VP-Research of SFU; Laura Bouwman, co-director of Science Alive. Front row: Children from the Science Alive Day Camp

Projects funded by PromoScience encourage the next generation of young scientists and engineers to learn about subjects such as robot programming, environmental science and renewable energy. Many types of organizations receive grants through the PromoScience program, including universities, non-governmental organizations, science centres and other groups from across the country.

Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, helped present the awardees and spoke about the importance of funding organizations across the country that engage young people in science, nurture their natural curiosity and encourage them to consider careers in the natural sciences and engineering. Dr. Fortier also thanked these organizations for their commitment and dedication to promoting a new generation of Canadian discoverers and innovators.

Speakers at the event also included Dr. Michael Stevenson, President of SFU; Dr. Mario Pinto, Vice-President Research of SFU; and Laura Bouwman, Co-Director of Science Alive. Hosted at SFU, Science Alive is a student-run, not-for-profit organization dedicated to giving youth the opportunity to explore science in a hands-on and dynamic way. This initiative is made possible with the help of Actua, a national charitable organization that is also funded by PromoScience.

Enthusiastic, young campers, proudly sporting their camp shirts, were at the event and took the opportunity to show off their achievements. After the announcement, the speakers visited the camp and interacted with the campers on a one-to-one basis.