UOIT Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program
March 29, 2007
Program breaking down barriers and building relationships with young students
Ontario's young scientists are taking advantage of valuable hands-on experience in a variety of fields including energy, life sciences, chemistry, and engineering, thanks to a University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) grant from the Ministry of Research and Innovation's (MRI) Youth Science and Outreach Program (YSTOP).
The main goal of the three-year grant to the UOIT Faculty of Science is to mentor scientists of the future by mentoring today's students, and as the program wraps up its first year, accolades from mentors and students alike have confirmed that providing youth with access to UOIT's world-class researchers is truly collaborating for the future. Another goal is to increase public awareness about the importance of science and technology in today's society.
Launched last fall, UOIT's YSTOP initiative gives local high school students a chance to conduct science projects with the mentorship of the university's leading faculty members and researchers. The first year of the project, themed Energy and the Environment, was rolled out in three stages.
"UOIT is attracting the best and most talented educators to lead our programs, and inspiring young students to greater levels of learning in the classroom and great success upon graduation," said Dr. William Smith, dean of the Faculty of Science. "Energy and the environment are key dual themes emphasized in several of our UOIT programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Thanks to YSTOP, we can reach out to potential students by offering opportunities to work side by side with mentors who encourage their curiosity and promise. The program is a great vehicle to nurture interest in science and engineering, and demonstrate how our leading-edge UOIT environment is uniquely positioned to prepare students for rewarding and meaningful careers as scientists and professionals."
The first phase of the project saw more than 250 Grade 7-12 students from across the Durham District School Board visit UOIT to learn more about the university's research and labs. Those students were then invited to participate in phase two of the program by submitting a proposal to develop and pursue their own projects related to energy and the environment, based on their visit to UOIT. The selected proposals were matched with the university's faculty members, researchers, and mentors, who provided the guidance, encouragement and expertise needed to turn the ideas into innovative projects. This year, five students were paired with 10 mentors.
In phase three, students and their mentors presented their project findings at their schools as part of March's Youth Science Month and gave community-based presentations to promote their unique experience and generate further awareness of the opportunities available to youth in the community. Students presented their projects at the Oshawa Mall on Sunday, March 18, and are now submitting applications for exhibition at the Durham Regional Science Fair to be held at UOIT on Saturday, April 14.
"Increasing the interest of youth in pursuing a career in science is important if Canada is to remain innovative in a global economy," added Dr. Smith. "With YSTOP, we can assist in that direction by encouraging a sense of fun and reaching out to students who may not have considered a career in science and engineering prior to our invitation." Smith also noted that two of the students participating in the program are young women, indicating that he is pleased to encourage more women to pursue careers in the sciences.
Projects undertaken as part of this year's Energy and the Environment theme included a solar-powered camping cooler; a plant-based water filtration system; and a household waste water reduction system.
"The opportunity to mentor high school students through YSTOP is really rewarding. I had forgotten what it was like to be a Grade 11 student!" said Kelsey Dermott, a fourth-year Biology student at UOIT and YSTOP mentor. "The students I worked with had a genuine interest in their project and in science, which was terrific to see."
UOIT's involvement with YSTOP was made possible in June 2006 through a grant given to the Faculty of Science by the MRI. Industry and community-based sponsors also contributed monetary and in-kind donations for a total grant of $253,300 over three years. Overall, the ministry has announced $3.9 million in funding over three years to support more than 30 community-based projects aimed at inspiring youth to pursue careers in science and technology. UOIT's YSTOP sponsors include the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance, Friends of Second Marsh, Ontario Power Generation, Oshawa PUC, Sci-Tech Ontario, Veridian Corporation, Youth Science Foundation Canada, and Zerofootprint.
Sarah Coppin, a student from Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute in Whitby, summed up her and her fellow students' YSTOP experience saying "I thought the program was excellent. Our mentors were a huge help. They were friendly, understanding and informative, which made the whole project fun. It was also a great chance to work with advanced equipment, which was completely new to us and really exciting. The program is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to go into the scientific field. It's all around a great learning experience."
Ontario's young scientists are taking advantage of valuable hands-on experience in a variety of fields including energy, life sciences, chemistry, and engineering, thanks to a University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) grant from the Ministry of Research and Innovation's (MRI) Youth Science and Outreach Program (YSTOP).
The main goal of the three-year grant to the UOIT Faculty of Science is to mentor scientists of the future by mentoring today's students, and as the program wraps up its first year, accolades from mentors and students alike have confirmed that providing youth with access to UOIT's world-class researchers is truly collaborating for the future. Another goal is to increase public awareness about the importance of science and technology in today's society.
Launched last fall, UOIT's YSTOP initiative gives local high school students a chance to conduct science projects with the mentorship of the university's leading faculty members and researchers. The first year of the project, themed Energy and the Environment, was rolled out in three stages.
"UOIT is attracting the best and most talented educators to lead our programs, and inspiring young students to greater levels of learning in the classroom and great success upon graduation," said Dr. William Smith, dean of the Faculty of Science. "Energy and the environment are key dual themes emphasized in several of our UOIT programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Thanks to YSTOP, we can reach out to potential students by offering opportunities to work side by side with mentors who encourage their curiosity and promise. The program is a great vehicle to nurture interest in science and engineering, and demonstrate how our leading-edge UOIT environment is uniquely positioned to prepare students for rewarding and meaningful careers as scientists and professionals."
The first phase of the project saw more than 250 Grade 7-12 students from across the Durham District School Board visit UOIT to learn more about the university's research and labs. Those students were then invited to participate in phase two of the program by submitting a proposal to develop and pursue their own projects related to energy and the environment, based on their visit to UOIT. The selected proposals were matched with the university's faculty members, researchers, and mentors, who provided the guidance, encouragement and expertise needed to turn the ideas into innovative projects. This year, five students were paired with 10 mentors.
In phase three, students and their mentors presented their project findings at their schools as part of March's Youth Science Month and gave community-based presentations to promote their unique experience and generate further awareness of the opportunities available to youth in the community. Students presented their projects at the Oshawa Mall on Sunday, March 18, and are now submitting applications for exhibition at the Durham Regional Science Fair to be held at UOIT on Saturday, April 14.
"Increasing the interest of youth in pursuing a career in science is important if Canada is to remain innovative in a global economy," added Dr. Smith. "With YSTOP, we can assist in that direction by encouraging a sense of fun and reaching out to students who may not have considered a career in science and engineering prior to our invitation." Smith also noted that two of the students participating in the program are young women, indicating that he is pleased to encourage more women to pursue careers in the sciences.
Projects undertaken as part of this year's Energy and the Environment theme included a solar-powered camping cooler; a plant-based water filtration system; and a household waste water reduction system.
"The opportunity to mentor high school students through YSTOP is really rewarding. I had forgotten what it was like to be a Grade 11 student!" said Kelsey Dermott, a fourth-year Biology student at UOIT and YSTOP mentor. "The students I worked with had a genuine interest in their project and in science, which was terrific to see."
UOIT's involvement with YSTOP was made possible in June 2006 through a grant given to the Faculty of Science by the MRI. Industry and community-based sponsors also contributed monetary and in-kind donations for a total grant of $253,300 over three years. Overall, the ministry has announced $3.9 million in funding over three years to support more than 30 community-based projects aimed at inspiring youth to pursue careers in science and technology. UOIT's YSTOP sponsors include the Durham Strategic Energy Alliance, Friends of Second Marsh, Ontario Power Generation, Oshawa PUC, Sci-Tech Ontario, Veridian Corporation, Youth Science Foundation Canada, and Zerofootprint.
Sarah Coppin, a student from Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute in Whitby, summed up her and her fellow students' YSTOP experience saying "I thought the program was excellent. Our mentors were a huge help. They were friendly, understanding and informative, which made the whole project fun. It was also a great chance to work with advanced equipment, which was completely new to us and really exciting. The program is the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to go into the scientific field. It's all around a great learning experience."
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