The Government of Canada reinvests $1.5 Million in Let’s Talk Science over two years

We live in a world where science and technology are rapidly reshaping everything we do, from the way we work to the way we manage our lives and interact with each other. In an economic environment increasingly driven by innovation, the demand for people who can fill science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related jobs will only continue to increase. With fewer than 6 million children and youth, ages 3-17, in Canada, we cannot afford to leave any behind.

On August 29, 2019, the Honourable Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary of Science announced a $1.5 million investment over two years from the federal department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) to Let’s Talk Science. The renewed funding, through ISED’s CanCode program will provide continued support for Let’s Talk Science’s coding and digital skills development programs for children, youth and educators across Canada.

“Preparing the next generation in both London and across Canada is key to succeeding in a digital world,” said the Honourable Kate Young, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Science and Sport. “Our Government is supporting science activities that inspire the next generation of leading Canadian innovators and researchers, including young women, Indigenous peoples and under-represented groups in this industry, to continue to contribute new transformative ideas.”

Let’s Talk Science is committed to working in partnership with the Government of Canada and other stakeholders to develop the skills youth will need to succeed in the future economy.

“In education, coding and digital skills are becoming the new ABCs, fundamental to jobs of the future. Canadian children and youth need to be curious, ask questions and be capable of challenging the status quo in order to succeed,” said Bonnie Schmidt, President and Founder, Let’s Talk Science. “The renewed CanCode funding will enable more Canadian children and youth to engage in programs that develop key competencies such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills and career awareness needed in a rapidly changing world underpinned by science and technology.”

Kids of all ages and their educators are becoming more comfortable with technology in the classroom. Let’s Talk Science recognizes the importance of providing youth and educators with the resources, strategies and tools necessary to help prepare Canadian youth to participate and thrive in a digital economy. Thanks to the Government’s support, Let’s Talk Science will be able to bring coding and digital literacy programming to even more Canadian classrooms in the coming years.