INUVIK, NT – Aurora College’s research division, the Aurora Research Institute (ARI), will be able to continue and expand its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) outreach programming to students, teachers and communities across the Northwest Territories thanks to a new $475,000 grant.
The three-year funding was announced today by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) as part of its PromoScience program, which supports organizations that promote STEM programming for youth, including hands-on learning experiences.
The funding will support the growth and continuity of the ARI STEM Outreach Program, which offers programming to 19 of the NWT’s 33 communities. The total cost of the outreach is expected to be $1.7 million over three years, including the $475,000 from PromoScience. The ARI STEM Outreach Program reaches 7,000 Northern youth and 150 Northern educators through 250 science promotion events every year. This program promotes the utilization of engaging and interactive activities.
Outreach is led by Annika Trimble in the Beaufort Delta, Hilary Turko in the South Slave and Chris Black in the Tłı̨chǫ region. The ARI STEM Outreach Program endeavours to foster scientific curiosity and engagement in NWT youth to encourage Northern students to pursue science-related studies and future employment.