TORONTO, July 7, 2021��– Today, 91��ɫ announced that��. will����with a $160,000 donation to establish a bursary to benefit female-identified students and provide support for strategic programs that promote equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM fields.

The new KPM Power Bursary will be split with $60,000 going to��female-identified students��entering their first year��in an undergraduate electrical, mechanical, space, or computer engineering program who demonstrate financial need.��An additional $10,000 is��designated to allow the KPM Power Bursary��to be granted in the 2021/22 academic year to benefit one female-identified student��entering their second year��in an undergraduate electrical, mechanical, space or computer engineering program who demonstrates financial need.��Lassonde School of Engineering’s����will receive $90,000 towards equity-focused programming that will support underrepresented youth in STEM over the next three years, including the Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Women.

KPM Power Inc. is a Canadian company specializing in customized lithium-ion battery solutions, battery management systems, global supply chain, Underwriters Laboratory certification and design for manufacturing services.

To be eligible��for the bursary, applicants must submit a one-page statement outlining their leadership and community service experience. Recipients will also be invited to apply for a four-month co-op term with KPM Power Inc. after their second year, as well as receive the opportunity to be mentored by the donor throughout their studies. The award will be renewable in the recipient’s second year, provided they remain in good academic standing and continue to demonstrate financial need. The award will continue to be adjudicated by the Lassonde School of Engineering awards committee.

“We are grateful to KPM Power for this donation which will go towards advancing equity-focused programming and empowering young women to pursue a STEM education,” said Jane Goodyer, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering. “Equity, diversity and inclusion are key values for our school and we are pleased to partner with a company that shares our vision.”

“We know from statistics that only 20 per cent of females are enrolled in engineering programs and only 11 per cent are working in engineering fields,” said Karen Lai, president and founder of KPM Power Inc. “There just aren’t enough women in the pool of engineers to get into senior roles or even into jobs at engineering companies. That’s why it was important for us to support female students to create more role models and to provide financial support to remove any financial barriers students may have. We want to make a difference in engineering and do what we can to get more females into STEM.

About KPM Power

KPM Power Inc. is a Toronto based, lithium-ion battery solutions expert, specializing in Battery Management Systems.�� With the engineering credentials and global supply connections, KPM Power is positioned to be the catalyst for clean teach innovation getting to market.�� The firm strives for positive change and chooses to be a difference maker in its community, being a leader in Corporate Responsibility, and being aware of the impact the company has on its customers, suppliers and environment.�� For more information please visit

About 91��ɫ

91��ɫ��is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91��ɫ's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media contact:��Anjum Nayyar, 91��ɫ Media Relations, cell 437 242 1547,��anayyar@yorku.ca

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NSERC-funded initiative will enable collaborations with teachers in under-served communities

TORONTO, June 9, 2021 – will bring together 91��ɫ engineers and scientists, community organizations, K-12 educators and leaders to offer a new program to support Grade 9 and 10 students to choose careers in STEM.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ��that it will provide $600,000 in funding to the Lassonde School of Engineering’s Kindergarten to Industry (K2I) Academy. The K2I Academy will enable more than 375 teachers to bring STEM education and experiences to more than 11,000 Grade 9 and 10 students over the next three years.

The K2I Academy will connect science and math courses with real-world problem solving to show students how STEM can be used to bring about positive societal effects. K2I programming specialists will create programs that address global sustainability issues such as climate change, clean water and sanitation.

The program seeks to support, empower, and build opportunities for educators and students to solve problems that address the within their curriculum-connected learning in schools. Programming will draw from the expertise of Lassonde faculty and undergraduate students and industry partners, who will co-design the program with teachers to meet the Ontario curriculum requirements for in-person and online learning that is real-world and inclusive.

“K2I is working differently with partners from kindergarten to industry with a shared purpose − to dismantle systemic barriers and to build sustainable programs that diversify representation in STEM professions,” says Lisa Cole, director of programming at the K2I academy at the Lassonde School of Engineering. “The K2I Academy is committed to building sustainable, inclusive programs, ultimately developing a national STEM Education Leadership framework for school boards to use across Canada. We hope to build an inclusive program design that strives to diversify the STEM profession – kindergarten to industry.”

The K2I Academy is a crucial part of the Lassonde School of Engineering’s strategic plan to widen access for underrepresented groups to an education in engineering and science.

“The Lassonde School of Engineering is committed to helping young people understand what science, technology, engineering and mathematics can do to help society,” said Jane Goodyer, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering. “We are committed to creating positive change for our students, our communities and the world around us by empowering creators to put ideas into action that push the world forward. It’s important that we have engineers and scientists that mirror the society we live in – one that reflects people of all different backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, ethnicities and abilities. Diversity in people, particularly those who are underrepresented in STEM, such as women, Black youth and Indigenous youth, brings diversity in thought to help us create solutions that make our lives and the world better.”

The programming will be delivered in partnership with GTA school boards, starting with Toronto District School Board and 91��ɫ Region District School Board, which together have more than 400,000 students.

“Leveraging the success of the Helen Carswell STEAM program in the Jane and Finch community, we will work with school boards to use the knowledge and data obtained to build sustainable programs that will inspire youth.” says Cole.

The Kindergarten to Industry (K2I) Academy will bring together engineers, scientists, community organizations, K-12 educators, leaders to offer new NSERC-funded initiative to support Grade 9 & 10 students to choose careers in STEM

— 91��ɫ News (@91��ɫUnews)

91��ɫ��is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. 91��ɫ's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.��

Media Contact:
Anjum Nayyar, 91��ɫ Media Relations, cell 437 242 1547, anayyar@yorku.ca

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