Design It Science, ©UWinnipeg
WINNIPEG, MB – The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded The University of Winnipeg over $100,000 as part of the PromoScience program. This money will help support three UWinnipeg led, hands-on learning experiences for young students in our community. These outreach programs promote an understanding of science, mathematics and technology in under-served communities.
The three programs include Pathways to Graduate Studies, Indigenous STEAM* Camps; and Design It Science.
“Teaching students about the incredible world of science is one of the things we do exceptionally well at The University of Winnipeg,” said Dr. Doug Goltz, Dean of Science. “Through the support of NSERC, Indigenous and inner city students will be able to tap into three excellent programs which will allow them to connect with those who have similar interests in science.”
Information on the programs
Pathways to Graduate Studies (P2GS), led by Dr. Melanie Martin, physics
UWinnipeg has created the P2GS program to enable more Indigenous students to enter programs in the natural sciences and engineering. Students will be on campus for four weeks advancing science skills in order to prepare them for senior undergraduate and graduate science courses. They will connect with students with similar backgrounds and interests helping them form a network that includes graduate students and faculty. Students in this program will also have an opportunity to engage in a research program under the supervision of a UWinnipeg faculty member.
Indigenous STEAM Camp, Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre, led by Angeline Nelson, director of community learning & engagement
The Indigenous STEAM Camp combines Indigenous knowledge with other departments at UWinnipeg, including chemistry, physics and biology. Indigenous knowledge keepers share their teachings around medicine, astronomy and water accompanied by engaging hands-on experiments in labs on campus to make STEAM learning fun.
Design It Science, led by Dr. Dawn Sutherland, education
This science outreach program is housed in the Faculty of Education. Members of the team are pre-service teachers who teach engineering problem solving processes to Winnipeg’s inner-city youth in after-school and summer bridging programs. Over the last eight years, Design It Science has created over 15 different problem based activities and taught these activities to over 4,000 inner-city youth.
The University of Winnipeg gratefully acknowledges the funding received from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund in aid of research infrastructure. Every year, the federal government invests in research excellence in the areas of health sciences, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities through its three granting agencies. The Research Support Fund (RSF) reinforces this research investment by helping institutions ensure that their federally funded research projects are conducted in world-class facilities with the best equipment and administrative support available. Please visit Research Support Fund.
*STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
