The Government of Canada is investing $2 million in Science North to engage youth in Northern Ontario schools and First Nations communities in coding and programming.
Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré made the announcement on Jan. 22 at Science North.
The investment is being allocated through CanCode, a federal program that gives students from kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to learn coding and other digital skills. The funding will also provide thousands of Canadian teachers with the tools needed to educate Canadian youth on these skills.
“CanCode and Science North will reach traditionally under-represented groups — such as girls and Indigenous, disabled or at-risk youth — with valuable training. Canada’s success in the digital economy depends on leveraging our diverse talent and providing opportunity for all to participate," said Paul Lefebvre.
"Investing in coding and digital skills development will help to achieve this.”
The $2 million in funding is part of a $50 million investment in coding and digital skills training being made across Canada.
This funding will allow Science North to bring hands-on coding and programming experiences to schools across Northern Ontario. In total, more than 30,000 students will be able to gain important skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to help them achieve further academic success.
“This investment is great news for students and faculty across Northern Ontario," said Serré. "Thanks to CanCode, our youth will have the opportunity to learn the digital skills which will enable them to compete for tangible employment opportunities in the in high-demand STEM fields.”
In addition to Science North, CanCode funding will offer financial support to the following programs province wide: The Learning Partnership program, delivered by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board and Near North District School Board, as well as Let’s Talk Science, delivered through Laurentian University and Cambrian College, and MediaSmarts, delivered through Laurentian University.
The funding allocated through these organizations will benefit over 129,953 students and 4,886 teachers Ontario wide and will help our youth learn essential digital skills and coding training to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
“We are very happy to receive this funding from the ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development through the CanCode program, to allow Science North the opportunity to bring hands-on science to more youth across Northern Ontario," said Science North CEO Guy Labine.
"Science North has a mandate to serve all of Northern Ontario, a significant geographic area, from Mattawa to the Manitoba border. Funding like this is essential to our success in serving the North.”
