Ontario Tech University Joins Actua as 40th Network Member
Media Release
Ottawa, ON - October 1, 2019
Today, Actua announced Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach as its newest network member. Based in Oshawa, Ontario, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science’s Engineering Outreach program is Actua’s 40th national network member, and 16th located in Ontario.
“We are excited to welcome Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach to the Actua network,” said Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua. “Engineering Outreach is actively engaging youth from K-12 in critical STEM skills building experiences as well as connecting them with mentorship opportunities.”
Engineering Outreach delivers inspiring hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experiences in the Durham region and surrounding communities. With Actua’s support, Engineering Outreach will be focused on increasing access for youth, specifically girls and Indigenous youth across the region, providing more delivery hours in more locations each year. Their programs will engage over 30,000 youth, parents and teachers in 2019 through school workshops, teacher professional development, after school clubs, camps and family events.
“The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Ontario Tech University is committed to providing hands-on STEM learning opportunities to youth in Durham Region and our surrounding communities. Through Engineering Outreach, we hope that by fostering a love of STEM at an early age, we will help to prepare our youth for the careers of the future. Through our work with Actua, Engineering Outreach will be well positioned as a leader in providing STEM programming in the Greater Toronto Area,” said Tarlochan Sidhu, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Ontario Tech University.
As part of Actua’s growing network, Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach contributes to a national strategy for equipping Canadian youth with skills and experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Directors and instructors receive access to outstanding training, resources, and day-to-day support as they grow their programs. They also participate in and receive financial support for their involvement in Actua’s national programs designed specifically to engage underserved youth including girls, Indigenous youth, and youth facing significant socio-economic challenges.
About Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach
The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science’s Engineering Outreach program at Ontario Tech University is focused on bringing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming to communities throughout Durham Region and beyond. Our goal is to inspire youth to ask questions and empower them to develop solutions to everyday problems through a STEM lens. Engineering Outreach reaches over 30,000 youth and their parents annually through a wide range of programs including c_wonder: Mobile Design Lab, community workshops, camps and family events. We also work closely with educators and school boards to support STEM teacher professional development. Ontario Tech University is the brand name used to refer to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. For more information about Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach, visit engineering.ontariotechu.ca/outreach.
About Actua
Actua is Canada’s largest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network representing 40 university and college-based members. Each year, Actua’s growing network of member organizations reach over 300,000 young Canadians in 500 communities nationwide. Actua focuses on the engagement of underrepresented youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Its national InSTEM program reaches over 35,000 Indigenous youth per year in over 200 Indigenous communities. Actua’s major funding partners include: Government of Canada, Google Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, RBC Foundation, Suncor Energy Foundation, TD, Microsoft Canada, Finning Canada, Imperial, Toyota Canada Foundation, GE Canada, Mastercard, CIRA and Lockheed Martin Canada.
Contact Information
Kristina Martin, Director of Communications, Actua
111 Murray Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5M5
Tel: (613) 234 4137 Fax: 613 234 4779
Email: kristina.martin@actua.ca
Web: www.actua.ca
Michelle Tsui-Woods, Projects Coordinator, Ontario Tech University Engineering Outreach
2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5
Tel: (905) 721 8668 ext 5377
Email: michelle.tsui-woods@uoit.ca
Web: www.engineering.ontariotechu.ca/outreach