Explore. Learn. Evolve: Kids Science receives new funding to expand community outreach

The Standard Life Kids Science program at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has been awarded a 2014/2015 PromoScience grant from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The funding, valued at $25,000, will allow the program to continue providing at-risk and underprivileged youth with interactive science experiences. The announcement was made on March 18.

Educating today’s youth and giving them the opportunity to explore higher education are important factors in helping them find a brighter future. Standard Life Kids Science provides this opportunity by giving young, at-risk students direct access to scientific leaders in a fun and informative setting. Through hands-on activities like lab visits, symposiums, summer mentorships and student research internships, the program helps these students to broaden their perspective on science, and shows them the benefits of experiencing a post-secondary education in science and technology.

“This grant will allow us to expand our program and instruct, inform and entertain more students about scientific research, SickKids, and careers in science across Toronto, the GTA and Canada,” says David Manly, Standard Life Kids Science Coordinator at SickKids.

To date, more than 10,000 students across Ontario have participated in Standard Life Kids Science activities and collaborations. The NSERC PromoScience investment will allow Standard Life Kids Science to add new and innovative programming, expand its community outreach to disadvantaged students from Ontario, Yukon and Northwest Territories and improve educational opportunities so that children and youth can reach their full potential.