UBC Outreach Programs Receive PromoScience Funding

Three UBC outreach initiatives will get a boost from NSERC’s PromoScience Program this year, with the Michael Smith Laboratories, Life Science Institute and Pacific Museum of the Earth receiving a total of $90,000 in funding from the national competition.

The grants will enable UBC's Life Sciences Institute (LSI) to increase capacity in its CSI@LSI program, which invites high school students to visit state-of-the-art labs at UBC and solve a staged murder mystery using forensic techniques.

"With approximately 20 high schools applying this past year, there is clearly increased enthusiasm for this unique approach to science outreach," says Christian Naus, director of the LSI.

"The funding will allow us to invite more students from rural and aboriginal communities outside the Lower Mainland to visit UBC and participate."

UBC's Pacific Museum of the Earth, which provides earth sciences outreach programing and resources for teachers across the province, and the Michael Smith Laboratories Advanced Molecular Biology Laboratory, also received support.

The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, announced the recipients of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) PromoScience Grants today in PEI.

"For Canada to be a global leader in innovation and to stay competitive and productive, our government recognizes that we need to show our young people the role innovation can play in their futures, encouraging more young people to consider careers in science and engineering, making these grants an investment in Canada's future," said Minister Goodyear. "These grants support local grassroots efforts to cultivate young people's interest in science and engineering,"

Through the PromoScience Program, the Government of Canada will provide $2.4 million to 49 organizations promoting science and engineering to young Canadians. These include universities, non-governmental organizations, museums and science centres.

NSERC Announcement www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/NewsRelease-CommuniqueDePresse_eng.as…