We are Canada’s largest STEM Education outreach organization: Actua is a national charity that delivers dynamic, interactive, and transformational STEM education outreach programming for youth ages 6-16.
Actua’s strength is the size of our national reach and geographic footprint - we deliver STEM programming to over 250,000 young Canadians each year in over 500 communities nationwide. We have a sustained presence in every province and territory and we have the capacity to deliver programming anywhere there is demand and resources.
We provide direct connections to post-secondary education:
Actua represents 35 network members located at universities and colleges across Canada. Collectively our network members hire over 800 undergraduate students in STEM who deliver our programs in the form of summer camps, classroom workshops, clubs, and community outreach activities. These dynamic young instructors are the driving force of our by-youth-for-youth model of STEM education.
We provide direct connections to STEM industries:
Actua connects youth participants to mentors across STEM industries who deliver engaging presentations about their areas of work and inspire youth to consider a future career in STEM-based fields. Industry partners also frequently help to develop our programming content that is reflective of the current issues and innovations in STEM.
We play a unique and important role in STEM education outreach:
Actua’s niche, and the area we invest in most heavily, is breaking down barriers towards youth engagement in STEM. We engage youth that are typically underrepresented and underserved in STEM, and have become a national leader in the development and delivery of programming specifically for Aboriginal youth, girls, New Canadians, and youth experiencing significant financial difficulties.
We Engage Aboriginal Youth:
Our National Aboriginal Outreach Program is a customized community-based approach to engaging First Nation, Inuit, and Métis youth in culturally relevant STEM education programs through strong partnerships with Aboriginal organizations. We reach 30,000 Aboriginal youth annually in 200 communities nationwide.
We Inspire Girls:
Our National Girls Program supports the delivery of all-girl initiatives that break down still-existing stereotypes surrounding women in STEM studies and careers. With positive female role models and mentors, girls are empowered to discover their potential, build self confidence, and understand the vital contributions they can make through their engagement in STEM. We engage over 6,000 girls annually in these all-girl programs.
We Go Where Kids Are:
We reach New Canadians, at-risk youth, and other youth populations facing adverse socio-economic challenges through unique partnerships with immigrant community organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, YM/YWCAs, and other youth-serving agencies. We engage 40,000 youth annually through this initiative.
We have empirical evidence of our positive, lasting impact:
Through our evaluation process, we can confidently say our programs are building self-confidence, critical thinking skills, and fostering creativity in the youth we are reaching nationwide. In an economy that is evolving to place more value on scientific knowledge combined with critical and creative thinking skills, infusing entrepreneurship and innovative activities into our STEM program delivery is a necessary requirement - to ensuring Canada’s economic and social prosperity.
You can help support us:
By clicking on the Donate tab, you can help ensure that we will continue our efforts in inspiring a whole new generation of young scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders through our award-winning STEM programs. www.actua.ca
