PRESS RELEASE
Ottawa, Ontario, August 15, 2024 – Today, Virtual Ventures at Carleton University announced new funding from Actua, one of Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organizations. As part of Actua’s national network, Virtual Ventures 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. Virtual Ventures has been a member of the Actua network since 1994. Through specialized programming, Virtual Ventures 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. Virtual Ventures at Carleton University 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.
“In 30 years, Virtual Ventures has connected with over 100,000 participants in the National Capital Region, showing youth the endless possibilities of STEM. We welcome Actua’s continued support and look forward to our strong partnership in delivering exciting and relevant programming to the next generation of youth,” says Larry Kostiuk, dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University.
Funding is only one part of the support provided to Virtual Ventures 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.
About Virtual Ventures
Carleton University’s Virtual Ventures is a network member of Actua. The award-winning not-for-profit organization offers nationally recognized technology and engineering programs for youth between the ages of 4-18. Programs run through Virtual Ventures include summer camp, fall and winter clubs, school outreach workshops, InSTEM (Indigenous Youth in STEM) programs and Girls Outreach Events. Virtual Ventures provides the youth of Ottawa with stimulating experiences in all aspects of computers, information technology, engineering, and science. Virtual Ventures will mark its 30th year of operation in 2024.
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.
Contact Information
Alexandra Sebben
Manager, Communications
Faculty of Engineering and Design, Carleton University
alexandra.sebben@carleton.ca
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Feature Redirects, News, Notices, Virtual Ventures, Virtual Ventures
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