Let's Talk Science

FedDev Ontario: Engaging Future Innovators Across Southern Ontario

Region: Southern Ontario

[Text on screen - Let's Talk Science FedDev Ontario Youth STEM funding recipient]

Let's Talk Science is a national charitable organization.

[Switch to Bonnie Schmidt – President and Founder – Let's Talk Science]

We engage youth in science, technology, engineering and math programs. We applied to FedDev Ontario because demand for our youth programs was growing faster than we could respond.

[Switch to Louise Quinn – Teacher, Hess Street School, Hamilton]

Their outreach programs have provided southern Ontario students high quality, curriculum-based, hands-on experiences that would have otherwise been impossible for us to provide. The biggest impact I see is that students are more aware that science is a part of every aspect of their daily lives and that it's an area where they might consider pursuing higher learning, starting a new career or business.

[Switch to Bonnie Schmidt – President and Founder – Let's Talk Science]

FedDev Ontario's $2 million dollars in funding, has transformed Let's Talk Science. We've been able to hire four new full-time positions, ramp up all of our youth programs, completely overhaul our web-based program for teens. Last year alone we mobilized over 1300 volunteers to bring free STEM programs to over 50,000 youth in the area. Without FedDev Ontario's support and interest in strengthening Ontario's economy starting with young people, our expansion simply would not have been possible.

[Switch to Louise Quinn – Teacher, Hess Street School, Hamilton]

The All-Science Challenge manual features three girls from Hess Street School. Now in grade 11, all three girls are studying science as a result of their involvement with Let's Talk Science.

[Switch to Bonnie Schmidt – President and Founder – Let's Talk Science]

FedDev Ontario's insight and investment in our future scientists and engineers is critical for the future prosperity of southern Ontario and for the country as a whole.

[Text on screen - www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca]