Destination Exploration at the University of Lethbridge announced roughly $186,000 in funding from Actua, one of Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organizations. As part of Actua’s national network, Destination Exploration (DE) engages youth through STEM workshops, camps, clubs and special events. Part of this funding comes from a significant investment in the Actua network through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund, totalling $38.4 million over five years.
The Actua network includes over 40 colleges and universities across the country providing STEM learning opportunities for youth while breaking down barriers to access. Destination Exploration has been a member of the Actua network since 2002. Through specialized programming, Destination Exploration engages diverse youth, including Indigenous youth, girls and young women, Black youth, youth facing socio-economic challenges and youth from other equity-deserving communities in programming that builds essential employability skills and confidence. In addition to the Government of Canada, Actua deeply values its esteemed industry partners whose long-term investment has been and continues to be essential in our collective mission to equip and inspire youth to lead Canada’s future science and innovation economy.
“Each year, the Actua network engages 375,000 youth in 600 communities across the country. Destination Exploration at ULethbridge is an integral part of this national impact and together, we will continue to relentlessly remove barriers so that all youth can be engaged in STEM," said Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua.
“The support of Actua since our program's inception 22 years ago has been incredible,” says Steph Elder, DE interim director of Youth Outreach. “With this year's funding announcement and support through the Strategic Science Fund, we'll be able to continue to grow and provide more opportunities to youth in Lethbridge and across southern Alberta.”
Funding is only one part of the support provided to Destination Exploration from Actua. In addition to significant investments such as the one announced today, Actua provides day-to-day support, training, professional development and best-practice resources in STEM outreach. Additionally, Actua is the national voice representing the local network to advance STEM engagement, diversity and inclusion within science culture in Canada.
“This collaborative effort underscores the significance of community and national support in fostering an environment where young minds can explore, innovate, and thrive in the ever-evolving fields of science, technology, engineering, and math,” says Elder.
About Destination Exploration
Destination Exploration is Lethbridge’s foremost youth science outreach organization. DE strives to provide participants with a positive and exciting educational experience in science, technology, engineering and math programs. DE offers interactive classroom workshops, stimulating summer camps, inspiring afterschool clubs, as well as special events and science-themed birthday parties. Programs have been growing steadily since they originated in 2002, and now reach over 8,700 youth each year in Lethbridge and surrounding areas. Visit the DE website for more information.
About Actua
Actua is a leading Canadian science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organization. Each year, the Actua network engages over 375,000 youth in 600 communities across Canada in transformative STEM learning experiences that build critical skills and confidence. Actua focuses on engaging equity-deserving youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, Black youth, youth facing economic barriers and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Its major funding partners include the Government of Canada, RBC Foundation, Suncor Energy Foundation, TD Bank Group, Google.org, Toyota Canada Foundation, Enbridge, Cenovus, CIBC Foundation, Coveo, Scotiabank, Mastercard and Imperial. For more information, visit actua.ca.