Funding for Venture Camp

August 29, 2011
McMaster Daily News

FedDev Ontario recently announced up to $1.25 million in funding for Actua, a national science, engineering and technology youth outreach network that includes McMaster. The funding will help create spaces in southern Ontario for children to participate in summer camps, classroom workshops, clubs and community outreach activities.

At McMaster, that means more support for the Venture engineering and science camp.

Venture is a non-profit organization designed and run by undergraduate students in the Faculty of Engineering. The program aims to inspire and motivate youth to explore engineering and science through interactive programming and engage youth from diverse backgrounds by offering exciting summer camps, curriculum-based school workshops and other outreach initiatives.

"We're very excited to be receiving such great support for our programs," said Carm Vespi, manager of the Venture camp. "We'll now be able to expand our programming and bring engineering and science to many more students, which is wonderful."

This year, Venture reached more than 9,000 students with travelling workshops and outreach programs such as boys and girls clubs, an on-campus Robotics Club and a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton.

The Actua funding will support customized programming designed to engage youth who are typically underrepresented and underserved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This includes aboriginal youth, girls, underprivileged youth, at-risk youth and youth living in remote areas or inner-city neighbourhoods.

The investment is provided through FedDev Ontario's Youth STEM Initiative, aimed at encouraging students in kindergarten through Grade 12 to pursue and education or career in the STEM fields.