Government of Canada Invests In Let’s Talk Science
London, Ontario - Let’s Talk Science, a national, charitable education and outreach organization – is pleased to announce the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide funding over five years. The investment, provided through the Strategic Science Fund, will begin in 2024 and will have a significant impact towards our ability to deliver programming that supports skills and competency development in children and youth across Canada through science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
With this investment, Let’s Talk Science will continue to support innovation, productivity, and economic growth in Canada by providing robust programming that builds early STEM skills and interest in STEM careers, which are necessary to ensure a diverse, talented workforce. We will work towards a goal of delivering millions of youth and educator interactions that will contribute to developing talent and building career awareness among Early Years to Grade 12 students/youth across Canada.
“We are delighted by the investment, which coincides with Let’s Talk Science’s 30th anniversary. Our work supporting youth, educators and families is more important than ever as STEM innovation transforms all aspects of our lives,” said Dr. Bonnie Schmidt, President and Founder of Let’s Talk Science. “We are grateful for this strategic, multi-year investment that recognizes our important contributions to the science, technology and innovation ecosystem. It will help us deliver on our mission to prepare youth for their future in a complex world. Our programming supports the development of engaged citizens and early talent by engaging youth in STEM, inspiring them to pursue STEM careers, and supporting the evolution of STEM studies so they can thrive in an innovation economy.”
Funding Impacts
This funding will allow Let’s Talk Science to build on our impact on children, youth and educators across the country through curriculum-aligned, Early Years to Grade 12 programming available in both English and French at no cost across Canada. It will also allow Let’s Talk Science to expand work to connect science, technology and innovation stakeholders with the Early Years – Grade 12 (M-Sec V in Quebec) education ecosystem- supporting timely and relevant knowledge transfer that includes priority STEM fields. We will build on a long-standing commitment to engage equity-deserving audiences and expand on a deep commitment to diversify STEM. Let’s Talk Science will continue to integrate key federal science, technology and innovation priorities across programming in ways that reduce barriers, foster inclusion and a sense of belonging in STEM with meaningful role models, incorporating traditional knowledge and relatable content, unconscious bias training and more. And finally, the organization will continue to foster scientific literacy to build trust in science, nurture a science culture, and foster meaningful citizen engagement in part by addressing how science works (e.g., risk, uncertainty) with audiences across Canada.
About Let’s Talk Science
Let’s Talk Science – a leading partner in Canadian education – is a national charitable organization committed to inspiring and empowering children and youth of all ages in Canada to develop the skills and characteristics they need to participate and thrive in an ever-changing world. To accomplish this, Let’s Talk Science offers a comprehensive suite of STEM-based programs and resources at no cost to support youth, educators, and volunteers across Canada. For more information about Let's Talk Science, visit letstalkscience.ca.