Photo © Mark Spowart
STEM is more than an acronym for four areas of study—science, technology, engineering, and math. It includes a diverse set of skills needed for solving problems and innovating. STEM learning fosters resilience, creativity, collaboration, and out-of-the-box thinking. It nurtures curiosity and the abilities needed to ask questions and seek solutions for real-world challenges.
Nobody knows this better than the thousands of Let’s Talk Science volunteers and mentors who are helping youth across Canada learn to take risks, develop the persistence and the competencies they’ll need to be active global citizens and leaders in an increasingly complex world. Imagine overcoming the next pandemic faster because citizens understand the science! Think of the growth of green jobs that will help build a sustainable, climate-stable world as innovation and problem-solving skills improve. Envision a level of scientific literacy where “fake news” is recognized as just that.
Inspiring Leaders of Tomorrow
“The world needs STEM, and STEM needs people with diverse perspectives, talents, and lived experiences prepared to tackle the most pressing issues facing our planet,” comments Bonnie Schmidt, Let’s Talk Science founder and President.
With a network of over 50 universities and colleges, Let’s Talk Science provides access to experiential STEM learning and meaningful role models who are committed to the equity-building principles of inclusion and diversity and work to dismantle barriers to education.
Through in-person and virtual visits to elementary and high school classrooms, libraries, and community events across the country, volunteers build relationships with youth. They develop strategies to keep students engaged, regardless of language, geography, access to technology, financial status, race, or gender, to inspire tomorrow’s innovators and inventors and meet the future workforce’s needs.
“When I first started working at the San Romanoway Revitalization Association (SRRA), some children accepted that science is everywhere but couldn’t describe that in detail. As the program went on, more and more they could see the interconnectedness of science with every aspect of their life. That’s part of being able to connect a range of careers to STEM.When students were asked to draw a scientist, they frequently depict persons of colour and an equal mix of male and female figures. That shows how the program dispelled some stereotypes associated with a job in STEM.”—Shalini Iyer, Volunteer, Let’s Talk Science, Former Program Assistant, SRRA
Learn more about the free STEM-based programs and career resources available from Let’s Talk Science, Canada’s award-winning charitable organization that has been delivering exceptional programming for more than 25 years. After all, investments in STEM education will pay dividends for generations.
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Scientists in School is determined to make a difference for the next generation. By engaging them in real-world experiences that spark curiosity and nurture their inquisitive young minds, they help students to discover the fascinating and fun side of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM).
