The post CBC covers 91亚色 Region student science fair at 91亚色 U's Markham campus appeared first on News@91亚色.

Media and public invited to attend this Saturday April 11, hosted at 91亚色 U鈥檚 Markham campus for first time

April 10, 2026, TORONTO 鈥� While Artemis II is expected to arrive back on Earth today, youth from 91亚色 Region will be setting up their science projects that might be adopted in the future, including a smart compression suit for astronauts, duckweed growth and nutrient recycling in space, developing a machine-learning model to discover active asteroids and more.

More than 115 projects will be showcased by more than a hundred and sixty students grades 7 -12 as they compete this Saturday at the at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham Campus. The students from 37 schools across 91亚色 region will compete for a spot at the competition, which will be held in Edmonton, Alberta this year in late May.

While 91亚色 and YRSTF have partnered for the fair for more than a decade, with it typically being held at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele campus, 2026 marks the first year that the fair will be held at 91亚色鈥檚 Markham campus, newly opened in 2024.

Fifty judges will review their science fair submissions. YRSTF is an affiliate of Youth Science Canada, and the winners will be among 500 students from across the country vying for the title of Canada鈥檚 best science fair project and may go on to represent Canada internationally.

Co-chair of the YRSTF@91亚色 partnership, Faculty of Health Professor Rebecca Pillai Riddell, and YRSTF Youth Science Canada Regional Coordinator for 91亚色 Region Nathalie Rudner as well as participating students, will be available for interviews.

Projects in past years have included eco-friendly paper packaging made of sprouts, sound-powered batteries to monitor air quality, autonomous robots to assist seniors and using neural networks to detect disease early.

Students from previous competitions have gone on to show their work at prestigious competitions such as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.

91亚色鈥檚 Connected Minds, a leading neuroscience research collaboration looking towards creating a healthy and just society, is the fair鈥檚 major sponsor this year, as well as 91亚色 Region District School Board and the 91亚色 Catholic District School Board alongside many community businesses and individuals.

Media are invited to attend from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. during the judging portion of the fair, as well as the public viewing that takes place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

WHAT: 91亚色 Region Science and Technology Fair
WHO: Grades 7 to 12 students from 37 91亚色 Region schools
WHEN: Saturday April 11. Media invited for a sneak-peek of the projects on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and public viewing from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Viewing hours located at 2nd floor of 91亚色鈥檚 .  The Awards Ceremony will follow at 5 p.m. in the atrium.

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91亚色 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 meaningful life and career paths. 91亚色's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post Students compete for top prize at 91亚色 Region science fair appeared first on News@91亚色.

Students receive a combined $660K in scholarships, looking to give back to the communities that helped foster their success

Toronto, ON, Sept. 26,聽 2025 鈥� 91亚色 is proud to have welcomed a record six to campus this September, recipients of Canada鈥檚 largest, most prestigious Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarship. The students say they are beyond thrilled to receive the generous scholarship that will allow them to focus on their studies at the Lassonde School of Engineering at 91亚色 without worrying about financial pressures, and give them the skills they need to apply their technical and creative talents towards positive social change.

Selected from a pool of more than 350,000 candidates across Canada, over 1,400 graduating high school students were nominated, with 100 top recipients receiving the coveted award.

91亚色 welcomed three times as many recipients in 2025 than it typically has in years past. Recipients pursuing an engineering degree will receive $120,000, while those pursuing a science, technology or math degree will receive $100,000.

鈥淪chulich Leader Scholarships enable Canada鈥檚 top universities to attract and retain our exceptional STEM talent here at home, empowering them to become the innovators and entrepreneurs our country needs. When these scholars go on to drive prosperity and strengthen our economy, Canada must ensure the right economic conditions exist so they can build their promising futures here. Supporting their entrepreneurial ambition is essential for turning Canadian ingenuity into lasting national success,鈥� says program founder Seymour Schulich.

Jane Goodyer, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering, echoes this excitement: 鈥淲e鈥檙e absolutely delighted to welcome six Schulich Leaders to Lassonde this year 鈥� the most we鈥檝e ever had. Each of these students brings not only academic strength, but also creativity, resilience and a strong drive to make a difference. At Lassonde, we give our students the space and support to turn bold ideas into real-world impact, and I can鈥檛 wait to see how this remarkable group will use this platform to shape the future of engineering, science and society.鈥�

Eleen Aliyeva

is a graduate of Bradford DHS in Bradford ON where she was president of the student council, vice-president and co-founder of the coding club. She originally hails from North 91亚色 and is entering a computer science program at 91亚色 this fall.

鈥淔rom a young age, I always had a fascination with technology, and I always asked myself questions like, 鈥榟ow does this work?鈥� and 鈥榟ow is this possible?鈥� says Aliyeva. 鈥淎s I grew up, I found out how science, engineering, mathematics were behind it all.鈥�

Aliyeva, who also speaks French, hopes she can use her education to help and inspire women in STEM and sees herself creating software that has a positive impact on people, whether that be an app, game, or tool, and is excited to work towards that goal in a community of like-minded students at 91亚色. She is grateful to the Schulich Foundation for the scholarship that will relieve her from worrying about financing her education.

Wilamina Both

was born in Toronto and grew up in Maple and Woodbridge. She developed a passion for STEM through her involvement in the gifted program at her school and a bridge-building competition, as well as the travels she undertook while playing hockey with the North 91亚色 Storm.

鈥淚t got me interested from a very young age in maps. Learning about all the different ways to get somewhere, such a giant network, I found it so interesting,鈥� says Both. 鈥淗ockey was really the place I first found confidence and leadership skills, as it was really empowering for me as a woman to be in that male-dominated space, and in that sense helped prepare me for a career in engineering.鈥�

Both spent her summer after graduation working as a hockey and skating coach and will continue to play hockey for the Mississauga Hurricanes during her time at 91亚色.  Having completed the 91亚色 Region Transportation Youth Ambassador program in her final year at Father Bressani Catholic High School, she plans on studying civil engineering at 91亚色 with a focus on transportation planning.

Edward Drobnis

describes learning that he would be a Schulich Leader as a 鈥渟urreal鈥� experience.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just a scholarship, but also a recognition of my dedication to STEM and my efforts to make it more accessible, especially for underrepresented groups.鈥�

As a graduate of Alexander Mackenzie High School in Richmond Hill, he joined his school robotics and coding clubs in the ninth grade. Last year, he won his first hackathon, and since then, Drobnis has helped with organizing hackathons and fundraising to ensure the events were free and accessible.

Drobnis is enrolled in the Digital Technologies program at 91亚色鈥檚 new Markham Campus, a unique program where Drobnis will combine fulltime paid work at Shopify while he obtains his four-year degree.

鈥淚 find it really cool that you gain experience by working at a real company. And I love the innovation as well as the collaboration and mentorship it provides.鈥�

Herman Isayenka

Originally from Belarus, came to Canada at the age of 2 with his family. He grew up in Newmarket and credits his father for his early interest in STEM.

鈥淢y dad was a software engineer for my whole life,鈥� says Isayenka, who also speaks Russian. 鈥淲hen I was seven years old, I began my first coding experience with block codes.鈥�

Isayenka continued learning to program, focusing on learning Python and Java during the COVID-19 pandemic, and later worked on projects collaborating with university students. A graduate of Dr. John M. Denison Secondary School, Isayenka hopes to work on projects involving AI, robotics and computer vision during his engineering studies at 91亚色 and hopes to apply this to a major societal problem post-graduation.

He describes feeling a mixture of happiness, gratitude and humbleness when learning he would be a recipient of the scholarship.

Rehan Jetha

is from the Ottawa South neighbourhood of Greenboro with parents from Kenya and Tanzania who trace their ethnic heritage back to India. A recipient of the Governor General鈥檚 Academic Medal, Principal鈥檚 Award and a writer鈥檚 award from his time at Canterbury High School, the engineering student credits much of his success to the Ismaili Muslim community he grew up in that instilled values of volunteerism, getting a strong education and helping the most vulnerable in society.

Growing up in a multi-generational home with his parents and grandparents sparked his early interest in how STEM could be applied to better the lives of people, with Jetha working on a home automation system for his grandparents at 12 years old in order to address some of the mobility issues they were experiencing.

鈥淚 was able to teach them simple English phrases to use the home automation service and that made their lives so much easier,鈥� says Jetha, who also speaks French and Kutchi, a language spoken in Gujarat, India where his grandparents are from. 鈥淭hat really hooked me, that human aspect of STEM.鈥�

Anthony Tu

was curious about how things worked from a very young age, taking apart his toys with a screwdriver to understand how they are put together. A graduate of Chaminade College School in North 91亚色 where he developed a strong interest in robotics, he credits the encouragement and mentorship of his teachers with helping him become a Schulich Leader.

鈥淎 lot of teachers pushed me to take opportunities, especially in the STEM field, whether it was robotics or networking,鈥� says Tu, now studying computer science at 91亚色. 鈥淲ithout those opportunities, I don't think I would have had as much experience as I have now.鈥�

Tu, who also speaks Cantonese, was attracted to 91亚色 for the educational opportunities and also the proximity to the community he grew up in. He would like to apply his studies and interest in robotics in a way where he is able to give back.

鈥淚 want to give them, not only the same opportunities, but more opportunities to explore future career paths.鈥�

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91亚色 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亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 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.

About Schulich Leader Scholarships Canada:

Recognizing the increasing importance and impact that STEM disciplines will have on the prosperity of future generations, businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established this $200+ million scholarship fund in 2012 to encourage our best and brightest students to become Schulich Leader Scholars: the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators. Through The Schulich Foundation, these prestigious entrance scholarships are awarded to 100 high school graduates this year, enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate program at 20 partner universities in Canada. Every high school in Canada can submit one Schulich Leader Nominee per academic year based on academic excellence in STEM, entrepreneurial leadership and financial need.

Media Contact:

Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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Media and public invited to attend this Saturday April 5 at Keele Campus聽

April 4, 2024, TORONTO 鈥�聽Eco-friendly paper packaging made of sprouts, sound-powered batteries to monitor air quality, autonomous robots to assist seniors and AI voice analysis to diagnose early Parkinson鈥檚 are just a few of the projects that will be showcased by more than a hundred students as they compete this Saturday at the聽聽at 91亚色. Students in grades 7- 12 from 29 schools across 91亚色 region will show off 77 projects and compete for a spot at the聽 competition held in Fredericton, NB in late spring of this year.

This year鈥檚 fair marks the decade-long partnership between 91亚色 and YRSTF, with projects spanning nine challenge categories: aerospace; agriculture; fisheries and food; curiosity and ingenuity; digital technology; disease and illness; energy; environment and climate change; health and wellness and natural resources. 

Faculty of Science Associate Professor and Chair of the Biology Department Robert Tsushima and YRSTF Youth Science Canada Regional Coordinator for 91亚色 Region Nathalie Rudner, as well as participating students, will be available for interviews. 

Media are invited to attend from 11 -12:30 p.m. during the judging portion of the fair, as well as the public viewing that takes place from 3:30 to 5 pm., both at Vari Hall. 

WHAT: 91亚色 Region Science and Technology Fair

WHO: Grades 7 to 12 students from 29 91亚色 Region schools
WHEN: Saturday, April 5. Media invited for a sneak-peek from 11 - 12:30 p.m. and public viewing from 3:30 - 5 p.m.

WHERE: , 91亚色 Keele Campus

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About 91亚色:
91亚色 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亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 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 Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post Young scientists vie for top prize at 91亚色 Region science fair hosted at 91亚色 U appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2023 鈥� Negative stereotypes of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) persist, but 91亚色 researchers have designed a brief intervention that makes a big difference toward improving boys' gendered beliefs.

The researchers recruited 667 boys, aged 9 to 15, who were attending STEM summer camps and randomly assigned them to either an intervention or control conversation with a staff member 鈥� all undergraduate or graduate students in STEM.

The intervention conversation involved a multi-stage persuasive appeal. Trained staff affirmed the boys鈥� most important values, gave an illustration of why girls' STEM ability is commonly underestimated (with a genuine personal anecdote), and asked boys to reflect on their own similar experiences. The control group discussed general camp experiences.

鈥淲e were happy to see that a brief intervention could have such a positive effect on how boys view girls in STEM,鈥� says 91亚色 Professor of the Faculty of Health and a co-author of the study. 鈥淧roviding strong evidence of girls鈥� potential in STEM went a long way toward encouraging boys to form more positive perceptions of their female peers.鈥�

The research, led by Emily Cyr, a 91亚色 SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow, also found that the boys with more positive perceptions of girls鈥� STEM ability ended up having more female friends. The findings highlight the importance of engaging elementary-school-aged boys to make STEM climates more inclusive.

鈥淭his kind of intervention could go a long way in tackling the persistent barriers women face when trying to feel a sense of belonging and flourish in STEM higher education and careers,鈥� says Cyr. 鈥淭he difference with this study is that we addressed these gender gaps in childhood before girls are pushed out of STEM.鈥�

The researchers say being able to change boys鈥� perception early on could make a big difference to girls when it comes time to choose which courses to take at the high school level. These early decisions to take prerequisite courses, such as Grade 11 physics, would better position girls for STEM higher education and beyond.

The paper, , was published in the journal Child Development. The research was supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) partnership grant.

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Students entering Lassonde School of Engineering program receive Canada鈥檚 largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarship

TORONTO, Sept 5, 2023 鈥� Two students have been named recipients of the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship.

Out of a pool of 350,000 potential candidates across Canada, more than 1,400 students were nominated, of which 100 received this celebrated award.

With the help of the scholarship, the graduating high school students from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas will be furthering their knowledge at the at 91亚色 to support their goals of starting their own companies and putting their skills to use for the greater good.

, 17, of Waterdown, Ont. is entering an electrical engineering program and , 18, of Toronto, Ont., will study computer programming.

The is Canada鈥檚 largest for undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, charisma and creativity, as well as financial need.

Clapperton will receive a $120,000 scholarship and Gherman will receive $100,000, as per the scholarship funding for Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Science programs.

"We鈥檙e delighted that Jasmine and Mitchell have chosen Lassonde as their academic home,鈥� says Jane Goodyer, dean of Lassonde. 鈥淭heir decision to pursue their aspirations here underscores our school鈥檚 reputation as a world-class hub for future engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs to collaborate in improving the world for everyone. As they embark on their postsecondary journeys with the generous support of the Schulich Leader Scholarship program, we look forward to seeing the positive impact they'll make within our School, the STEM field, and beyond."

Mitchell Clapperton

Clapperton hails from the Waterdown area situated halfway between Westdale Secondary School in Hamilton, where he was enrolled in the French Immersion program and founded the school鈥檚 STEM club, and Burlington Ont., where he volunteered as a coach for the Special Olympics softball and floor hockey teams. He was a gold medal winner in four regional science fairs, three of which went on to win medals Canada-wide and one that qualified for an international competition.  

With entrepreneurial instincts, many of Clapperton鈥檚 ideas are inspired by talking to people in his community, such as a pharmacy worker who developed carpal tunnel syndrome, which sparked his first real invention in the seventh grade, and more recently, a firefighter who shared challenges, which led him to look at creating navigation systems for emergency vehicles to help reduce response times in urban areas. In addition to receiving an excellent STEM education, he says the program at Lassonde at 91亚色 appealed to him specifically for the support offered to entrepreneurs.

鈥淭he cool thing about science fairs is there's always a little piece of 鈥榝or good鈥� in there. I'd love to keep that up and keep innovation for good as a goal in the future,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 am really looking forward to getting this education so I can tackle more projects like this and this Schulich Leader scholarship will help me to do that.鈥�

Jasmine Gherman

Born to an immigrant family from Romania, Gherman is from Scarborough where she attended Mary Ward Catholic Secondary, one of only a handful of self-directed learning schools in Canada, where she took a leadership role at the coding club. She is a contributor for an award-winning arts-and-science Romanian-language newspaper, where she has written about advice for parents and encouraging girls to consider STEM career paths. A self-described introvert, Gherman has embraced her quiet leadership style and says teachers describe her as being someone who does not always speak up, but when she does everyone listens.

Similar to Clapperton, Grade 7 was an influential year for her, when her mom took her to the bookstore and let her choose any book she liked. She picked Learn Python 3 The Hard Way, and while she has also studied robotics and other STEM fields, examining the code in there set her on the path she is on now and sees as a lifelong one. Being familiar with 91亚色 through her years of track and field, it was at 91亚色 that she won her first race and feels the program is a good fit for her ambitions.

鈥淚'm not someone who likes cutthroat competition. I appreciate drive and collaboration for the greater good and I believe that this program will give me those opportunities. I鈥檓 grateful that this scholarship will allow me to focus on my studies without taking on a large debt burden.鈥�

Gherman has a strong interest in cybersecurity and hopes to one day found a company related to quantum computing and AI.

鈥淲e are proud to celebrate the continued success of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the premiere STEM scholarship program in Canada. This group of outstanding students will represent the best and brightest Canada has to offer and will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale. With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurriculars, and entrepreneurial ventures. They are the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators,鈥� says program founder Mr. Schulich.

About Schulich Leader Scholarships Canada:
Recognizing the increasing importance and impact that STEM disciplines will have on the prosperity of future generations, businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established this $100+ million scholarship fund in 2012 to encourage our best and brightest students to become Schulich Leader Scholars: the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators.

Through The Schulich Foundation, these prestigious entrance scholarships are awarded to 100 high school graduates this year, enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate program at 20 partner universities in Canada. Every high school in Canada can submit one Schulich Leader Nominee per academic year based on academic excellence in STEM, entrepreneurial leadership and financial need.

About 91亚色

91亚色 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亚色鈥檚 fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario鈥檚 Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 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 Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations and External Communications, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post Incoming 91亚色 U engineering students to pursue dreams of entrepreneurship, giving back, with $100K+ Schulich Leader scholarships appeared first on News@91亚色.

Lassonde program at 91亚色 U will put money towards programming that will create talent pipeline in STEM and offer opportunities to underrepresented groups

TORONTO, July 25, 2023 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering k2i (kindergarten to industry) program is receiving a $400,000 injection of funds from 407 ETR that will help the program reach its goals of dismantling systemic barriers for underrepresented groups in STEM (science, technology engineering and math) and preparing the next generation for careers in these fields.

The donation was announced at an on-campus event today at the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence where leadership from Lassonde and 407 ETR were on-hand to speak to the importance of the initiative and what this money would mean for the programming offered through k2i.

鈥淲e launched the k2i academy three years ago with the idea of bringing STEM learning to life,鈥� says Jane Goodyer, Dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering. 鈥淭he k2i academy is a sandbox for innovation in STEM education, building a network of collaborative partners, committed to creating systemic change in our education system. With this gift, Lassonde will continue our work to increase equity, diversity and inclusion, and create a talent pipeline in STEM through job-ready training and innovative learning models.鈥�

The donation will be divided equally between two programs, administered by Lisa Cole, Director of the k2i academy.

The first program, the 407 ETR Path2STEM Fund, will support a micro-credentialed Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program. SHSMs allow students to gain experiences and develop skills toward their high school diploma in Ontario while focusing on a specific economic sector. The 407 ETR Path2STEM Fund will be used to create a series of innovative SHSM experiences in engineering and digital technologies. Geared towards diverse learners, the program will prepare students for innovative post-secondary programs and meaningful STEM careers.

407 ETR President & CEO Javier Tamargo says his organization is keen to invest in a highly skilled and diverse workforce that can meet the challenges of tomorrow.

鈥�407 ETR is a company rooted in STEM. In fact, about half of our workforce is employed in a STEM-related position ranging from data analytics and IT to traffic and tolling. These professionals are integral to our business, and so is ensuring that our team is reflective of the vibrant communities we serve,鈥� says Tamargo. 鈥淭hat starts with doing our part to help foster a diverse talent pool which is why we鈥檙e so proud to support the Lassonde School and 91亚色鈥檚 work to move more youth into the pipeline towards rewarding academic and professional careers in STEM.鈥�

The second program, the 407 ETR Work Integrated Learning Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) fund, will specifically be geared to help k2i expand its offerings to students underrepresented in STEM, including women, Black and Indigenous youth and those from low-income communities. Since 2020, k2i has been offering paid summer work opportunities for students in grades 10, 11 and 12 while gaining school credit. The programming is done in partnership with the Toronto District School Board, 91亚色 Region District School Board and Peel District School Board. Students receive 140 hours of paid work with an added opportunity to earn a high school prerequisite credit for STEM pathways while learning skills in coding, design, electronics and more. This year鈥檚 on-campus program offered a unique Grade 12 English credit, rooting language and communication in hands-on science and engineering experiences.

Students are empowered to explore, question, wonder and discover through interactive learning experiences to strengthen skills in computational thinking, coding, electronics, engineering design, 3D modeling and creativity. Combining work and learning provides an innovative way for students to explore possibilities in STEM careers, connect with networks and mentors to launch their interests in postsecondary studies, gain experience in developing STEM skills, and strengthen professional skills in communication, collaboration and problem-solving.

鈥淲ith this generous donation from 407 ETR, we will continue our journey of offering paid educational experiences to underrepresented students in environments that are dynamic, innovative and collaborative,鈥� says Cole. 鈥淲e鈥檝e already reached 6,000+ youth and offered more than 175,000 hours of learning and we鈥檙e thrilled to be able to expand this work and hit our next milestones.鈥�

Since its launch, in June 2020, k2i academy has:

• Developed partnerships with publicly funded school boards with 522,000+ students and 74,000+ staff.
• Employed 400+ high school students and 130+ undergraduate STEM mentors through the Bringing STEM to Life: Work-Integrated Learning program.
• Has seen more than 99 per cent of students successfully complete their credits.

407 ETR has been a supporter of the Lassonde School of Engineering and 91亚色 for over a decade. In 2013, a donation was made to support the 407 ETR Learning Laboratory, home to pre-laboratory training, theory, and application for a generation of Civil Engineering students.

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91亚色 to host elementary and high-school students at the 91亚色 Region science fair this Saturday, April 1 for first time since COVID-19

TORONTO, March 28, 2023 鈥� Using neural networks to detect disease, creating alternative energy sources, and improving quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities are some of the STEM projects young scientists will show off at 91亚色 during the (YRSTF) this Saturday, April 1. Top projects will receive gold, silver and bronze medals.

While this is the eighth year 91亚色 is hosting the event, this year is the first since the COVID-19 pandemic started that the students will be back on campus.

Professor , co-lead organizer of the YRSTF@91亚色 partnership, YRSTF Youth Science Canada Regional Coordinator Nathalie Rudner and participating students are available for media interviews.

More than 100 91亚色 Region science students in grades 7 through 12 have prepared 63 projects 鈥� either an innovation or discovery. This year sees more senior projects than usual, and many returning silver and bronze medalists, with many students showing off new apps this year. The science fair will also include an activity 鈥� Science Adventures with 91亚色 scientists.

The projects fit into eight categories: agriculture, food and fisheries, curiosity and ingenuity, digital technology, disease and illness, energy, environment and climate change, health and wellness and natural resources.

Dozens of judges,  including 91亚色 professors and PhD candidates, will review the submissions and the gold-medal winners will move on to represent the region and compete at the national level at the . The winners will be among 500 students from across the country vying for the title of Canada鈥檚 best science fair project.

91亚色 Region District School Board and the 91亚色 Catholic District School Board are among the major sponsors of the fair, which is a partnership effort between 91亚色 and the 91亚色 Region Science and Technology Fair Organizing Committee.

WHO: Grades 7 to 12 high school students from more than 20 91亚色 Region schools.

WHAT: 91亚色 Region Science and Technology Fair.

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, noon to 12:30 p.m. media sneak-peak of student projects; 3:30 to 5 p.m., community viewing of student projects.

WHERE: 100 91亚色 Blvd Keele campus. Please reach out for requests for earlier times.

About 91亚色

91亚色 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亚色鈥檚 fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario鈥檚 Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 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 Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations and External Communications, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

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驰辞谤办鈥檚&苍产蝉辫; k2i (kindergarten to industry) academy has received $463,800 from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism to develop and implement a unique micro-credentialed, Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) educational program, for Black youth in grades 7 to 12  as part of k2i鈥檚  stream. 

For this program,  will work with some of the largest and most diverse school boards in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to design and implement an intentional and tailored program to reach more than 1,500 Black youth and help address inequities for Black youth in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM). The program will engage with K-12 educators, STEM industries, community partners and post-secondary partners to develop a program that promotes cultural relevance, celebrates Black excellence, challenges anti-Black racism, and increases opportunities in STEM pathways. 

鈥淎t Lassonde, we understand the challenges of the future will be met by the people and knowledge we invest in,鈥� says Jane Goodyer, dean of the Lassonde School of Engineering. 鈥淓mpowering the creation of an equitable, diverse and inclusive community through programs like the SHSM in STEM for Black youth is essential in helping us attract students who have traditionally been underrepresented and underserved in STEM fields.鈥�

The SHSM in STEM for Black Youth program was conceived to address the low representation of Black Canadians in the skilled STEM workforce.  According to Statistics Canada, Black Canadians received less than three per cent of the degrees and diplomas in post-secondary programs in 2016 that would qualify them for STEM careers. Equitable opportunities for Black youth to engage in STEM learning, explore the possibilities of STEM careers, and pursue postsecondary programs in STEM are critical to create positive change. 

鈥淲e are always interested in working with organizations that put students and families first,鈥� says Camille Logan, Associate Director, Peel District School Board. 鈥淲hat excites us about working with k2i academy is the opportunity to collaborate and co-design a program that connects our Black students to STEM pathways and STEM professionals from Lassonde, CBSN (Canadian Black Scientists Network) and BPTN (Black Professionals in Tech Network).鈥� 

To address systemic issues, this program will provide skill-building workshops promoting problem-solving, analysis, teamwork and leadership as well as technical skills, including coding, 3D modelling, engineering design and electronics. Students will receive constructive coaching and mentorship to support their educational journeys and career goals. The program鈥檚 focus on academic success, career planning and skills development 鈥� while promoting wellness and resilience 鈥� aims to strengthen pathways for Black youth in high-demand, STEM-related sectors in the labour market.

"The Canadian Black Scientists Network (CBSN) centres the importance of mentorship and role-models for Black youth which we know has a significant positive impact in people鈥檚 lives,鈥� says Maydianne Andrade, President & Co-founder, CBSN. 鈥淐ollaborating with k2i academy in this program will enable a deeper and broader reach that would not be possible otherwise." 

The k2i academy engages with youth by bringing STEM to life, connecting directly to school boards and their classrooms, offering innovative work-integrated learning programs and partnering with community organizations to provide unique, hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Today, they have grown to reach more than 6,000 students, teachers, families and community members, spending more than 175,000 hours in virtual and face-to-face engagements. 

鈥渒2i academy believes that our future leaders need us to collaborate differently, to come together to question our educational systems, engage with youth that connects with their interests and passions, and design programs that places our students at the centre of the design,鈥� says Lisa Cole, director of the k2i academy. Cole and the k2i academy were recently honoured by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities with a Minister鈥檚 Award of Excellence in the category of Equality of Opportunity for their work enabling youth in STEM. 鈥淭his program seeks to do this work with our collaborative partners.鈥�

Through partnerships and collaborations with provincial and federal funders as well as individual and corporate donors, k2i academy offers programs at no cost to youth and their families, and works with community-based STEM organizations to reach youth who need them most. k2i academy is a key component of the Lassonde School of Engineering鈥檚 EDI Action Plan, committed to addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals in Quality Education and Reducing Inequities.

For this newest program, the k2i academy will work with BPTN and CBSN, 91亚色 research faculty and Ontario school boards, to create an experience aimed at inspiring Black youth. In collaboration with Ontario school boards, students in grades 7 to 10 will engage in skills development that will connect to grades 11 through 12 SHSM programs. Students in grades 11 to 12 will receive formalized recognition for learning through a micro-credentialed SHSM program leading towards an Ontario ICT/Engineering SHSM certification that can be used in professional environments to seek future STEM opportunities. Programs will be flexible 鈥� virtual and/or face-to-face, synchronous or asynchronous 鈥� depending on the needs of school board partners.

Quick facts about the program:

Three streams:

Learning Sessions:

• Exploring STEM Career Pathways 
• Career Explorations in Digital Technologies 
• Preparing for a Career in STEM
• Innovation
• Creativity and Engineering Design
• Let鈥檚 Get Coding!
• Path2STEM
• Introduction to Computational Thinking and Coding
• UNHack

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About Lassonde School of Engineering

Located in the heart of the multicultural Greater Toronto Area, the  at 91亚色 is home to engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs, representing a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners. With 11 undergraduate programs, seven graduate programs and a host of certificates and accessible study options, Lassonde is shaping the next generation of creators who will tackle the world鈥檚 biggest challenges and devise creative solutions through interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Lassonde鈥檚 creators think in big systems rather than small silos, design with people in mind and embrace ambiguity.

About 91亚色

91亚色 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亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 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:

Emina Gamulin, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca

The post 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering receives provincial funding to launch STEM program for Black youth appeared first on News@91亚色.

TORONTO, May 25, 2022 鈥�  at 91亚色 has received $1 million from the Ontario鈥檚 Ministry of Education in support of a summer work-study program for high school students from racialized backgrounds.

Thanks to the grant, k2i鈥檚 summer STEM program, , which launched in summer 2021 with $500,000 in ministry funding, will return for a second summer session this June.

The program is free to participants and is designed to further k2i鈥檚 commitment to addressing systemic racism, discrimination, and inequality in education by providing more equitable opportunities in STEM fields. Grade 11 and 12 students from three GTA school boards and one northern school board, will engage in real-world engineering projects alongside Lassonde undergraduate mentors, staff, and faculty.

With the aim of creating such opportunities and fostering a welcoming community, this summer鈥檚 Work-Integrated Learning Program will focus on physics 鈥� a discipline that has disproportionately low enrolment among racialized students. 

Programs like Bringing STEM to Life are integral to the University鈥檚 commitment to diversifying the STEM fields, says Lassonde Dean Jane Goodyer.

鈥淟assonde has made a priority of establishing partnerships with outside stakeholders, including those in primary and secondary education, to create positive change and increase diversity in STEM,鈥� Goodyer said. 鈥淎s these fields form the foundation of Canada鈥檚 knowledge base, we have an obligation to ensure underrepresented voices 鈥� particularly those of Black and Indigenous youth 鈥� contribute to a greater diversity of thought and experience within STEM. A broader and more diverse body of knowledge is necessary to building a more just and sustainable future.鈥�

The 2022 program will be delivered in two modules

Work-Integrated Learning 鈥� Physics (W-IL Physics): This program is open to students who finished Grade 10 science (academic or applied) in the 2021-2022 school year, who will have the opportunity to work in a paid role towards Grade 11 university physics or Grade 12 college physics credits.

Work-Integrated Learning 鈥� Indigenous Engineering, Technology, and Innovation in Design (W-IL Indigenous Engineering): This program is open to students entering Grade 11 or 12, who will have the opportunity to work in a paid role towards a Grade 11 or 12 Interdisciplinary course credit in Indigenous Engineering, Technology, and Innovation by Design. This program is customized and co-designed with an Indigenous math and Ojibwe educator from the Algoma District School Board. Officially launching this summer, it will be offered again during the 2022-2023 school year.

The Lassonde undergraduate students who serve as mentors will have the opportunity to develop skills in leadership, equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), program design and implementation, teaching, and project management.

鈥淲e are committed to working with K-12 education sector partners to create programs that make an impact,鈥� says Lisa Cole, Director of Programming, k2i academy. 鈥淧rograms like this are designed to help remove systemic barriers in unique ways. Our hope is that youth currently underrepresented in STEM will be inspired and supported, and will go on to pursue further STEM pathways.鈥�

Quick facts:
Bringing STEM to Life: Work-Integrated Learning will include:

• 140 high school students
• Four school boards (Toronto District School Board, Peel District School Board, 91亚色 Region District School Board, Algoma District School Board)
• Six physics teachers from the partnering school boards
• 50 undergraduate STEM and STEM-related mentors and mentor leads
• 10 Lassonde Research Faculty advisors and mentors

More about the k2I academy:

The k2i academy engages with youth by bringing STEM to life, connecting directly to school boards and their classrooms, offering innovative work-integrated learning programs, and partnering with community organizations to provide unique, hands-on STEM learning opportunities. Through partnerships and collaborations with provincial and federal funders as well as individual and corporate donors, k2i academy offers programs at no cost to youth and their families and work with community-based STEM organizations to reach the youth who need us most. The k2i academy is a key component of the Lassonde School of Engineering  committed to addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals in Quality Education and Reducing Inequities.

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91亚色 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亚色's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91亚色鈥檚 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: 
Matt LaForge, 91亚色 Media Relations, 437-242-1547, mlaforge@yorku.ca

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