The investment was announced at Perimeter by Peter Braid, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
"By introducing students to the STEM fields at this critical point in their education, we are encouraging the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and problem solvers, and helping to drive innovation in southern Ontario for years to come," said MP Braid. "This is how we will establish competitive businesses, and create the high-value jobs of the future and long-term prosperity for the region."
Perimeter Institute will use the investment to enhance its educational outreach program with the BrainSTEM Initiative, which involves a suite of activities including an in-class multimedia module for grade 10 youth, teacher training on the content, online resources that merge digital media content creators with experts on STEM, and a public launch event in October of 2013.
"The delivery of this outreach program will debunk misconceptions about STEM careers, and provide opportunities for students to make connections between crucial life skills - like creativity, problem solving and collaboration – and the STEM subjects available to them in Canadian schools," said Greg Dick, Perimeter Director of Educational Outreach. "The enhanced outreach activities will help show young people that there are emerging and valuable careers available in the STEM subjects, and will help to build a future talent pool in these fields in southern Ontario."
About FedDeV ONTARIO
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
