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{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
|name=Scientists in School
| name = Scientists in School
|logo=
| logo =
|type=Charitable organization
| type = Charitable organization
|founded_date=1989
| founded_date = 1989
|founder=Erica Bruce, Dr. Nancy Williams
| founder = Erica Bruce, Dr. Nancy Williams
| headquarters = [[Pickering, Ontario]]
|location=[[Ontario|Ontario, Canada]], [[Alberta|Alberta, Canada]]
| location = National
|origins=
| origins =
|key_people=
| key_people =
|area_served=
| area_served =
|focus=[[Education]], [[outreach]], [[science]]
| focus = [[Education]], [[outreach]], [[science]]
|method=Hands-on workshops
| method = Hands-on workshops
|revenue=
| revenue =
|endowment=
| endowment =
|num_employees=
| website = www.scientistsinschool.ca
|owner=
| num_employees =
|Non-profit_slogan=
| owner =
|former name=
| Non-profit_slogan =
|homepage={{URL|http://www.scientistsinschool.ca/}}
| former name =
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.scientistsinschool.ca/}}
{{URL|https://scientifiquesalecole.ca/}}
}}
}}


'''Scientists in School''' (SiS) is a Canadian [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit]], [[Charitable organization|charitable]] organization that offers science education and [[Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|STEM]] workshops aligned with the [[curriculum]] for [[Kindergarten]] to Grade 8.<ref name="curriculum">{{cite web |url=http://www.scienceandtechnologynetwork.ca/main/memberlist.php?org=40 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-06-15 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313014741/http://www.scienceandtechnologynetwork.ca/main/memberlist.php?org=40 |archivedate=2012-03-13 |df= }}</ref> Scientists in School service more than 660,000 children annually in [[Ontario]] and [[Alberta]]. They are in more than 25,000 English and French-speaking classrooms in 351 communities annually. Over 400 workshop presenters have career backgrounds in science, technology and engineering and deliver hands-on programs in a half-day format designed to spark scientific curiosity.<ref name="curiosity">{{cite web|url=http://www.orleansstar.ca/Living/Education/2011-03-02/article-2294619/Kids-don-lab-coats-in-classrooms/1|title=Kids don lab coats in classrooms - Education - Orléans Star|author=|date=|publisher=|access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="curriculum"/><ref name="halfmil">{{cite web|url=http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/203584--scientists-in-schools-comes-to-niagara|title=Scientists in Schools comes to Niagara|first=Niagara This|last=Week|date=|publisher=|access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> In 2013, Scientists in School began offering community workshops providing their program to daycares, summer camps, libraries and community groups.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scientistsinschool.ca/community-workshops.php|title=Community Workshops: Scientists in School, Science Education, Elementary|website=www.scientistsinschool.ca|access-date=2016-09-27}}</ref> They estimate they have served over seven million children and youth since 1989. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scientistsinschool.ca/about-sis.php|title=About Us: Scientists in School, Science Education, Elementary|website=www.scientistsinschool.ca|access-date=2016-09-27}}</ref>
'''Scientists in School''' is a leading Canadian science, technology, engineering, and math ([[STEM]]) education [[charitable organization]] that offers curriculum-aligned hands-on workshops from [[Kindergarten]] to Grade 8 across the country .<ref name="curriculum">{{cite web |url=http://www.scienceandtechnologynetwork.ca/main/memberlist.php?org=40 |title=The Science and Technology Awareness Network - STAN |accessdate=2011-06-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313014741/http://www.scienceandtechnologynetwork.ca/main/memberlist.php?org=40 |archivedate=2012-03-13 }}</ref> Workshops are offered in both English and French and led by presenters that are experts in their fields. Scientists in School offers community workshops providing their program to libraries, summer camps, daycares, after-school programs and community groups. They have reached over 10 million children and youth since 1989.<ref name="bot" /><ref name="ywca" />

Scientists in School’s mission is to ignite scientific curiosity in children so that they question intelligently; learn through discovery; connect scientific knowledge to their world; are excited about science, technology, engineering and math; and have their interest in careers in those fields piqued.<ref name="board" /><ref name="curriculum" /><ref name="nserc" />


== History ==
== History ==


Scientists in School was founded in 1989 by Erica Bruce and Dr. Nancy Williams on behalf of the [[Ajax-Pickering]] branch of the [[Canadian Federation of University Women]]. Originally, Scientists in School was guided by the CFUW's mandate that female graduates use their education to effect social change, but in 1999, when Scientists in School's participating students grew to over 100,000, Scientists in School incorporated as a charitable non-profit.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.scientistsinschool.ca/our-story.php|title=About Us: Scientists in School, Science Education, Elementary|author=|date=|publisher=|accessdate=2 October 2016}}</ref>
Scientists in School was founded in 1989 by Erica Bruce and Dr. Nancy Williams on behalf of the [[Ajax--Pickering|Ajax-Pickering]], Ontario branch of the [[Canadian Federation of University Women]] (CFUW). Originally, Scientists in School was guided by the CFUW’s mandate that female graduates use their education to effect social change, but in 1999 when the organization was reaching over 100,000 young scientists annually, Scientists in School incorporated as a charitable [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit]], led by founding Executive Director, Cindy Adams.


Scientists in School began with 40 classrooms participating in the [[Regional Municipality of Durham|Durham region]], then the program expanded into [[Toronto]] and beyond. In 1998, Scientists in School opened its first branch serving kids in [[Guelph]], [[Regional Municipality of Peel|Peel]], [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]] and [[Regional Municipality of Halton|Halton]] regions. In 2009, another two chapters open in [[Regional Municipality of Niagara|Niagara]] region and in [[Ottawa]]. In 2011, the program launched in [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Brantford]] and Brant. In 2012, Scientists in School launched their French language workshop stream for schools in Ottawa. Scientists in School has five regional branches including a national office in [[Pickering, Ontario]], and one regional branch in [[Lethbridge|Lethbridge, Alberta]].<ref name="history"/>
Scientists in School began with 40 classrooms participating in the [[Durham, Ontario|Durham]] region, then expanded to Toronto (1997) and Guelph in (1999). Expansion grew exponentially, serving kids in [[Regional Municipality of Peel|Peel]], [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]], [[Halton Region|Halton]], [[Niagara region|Niagara]], and [[Ottawa]]. The first branch outside of Ontario launched in [[Lethbridge|Lethbridge, Alberta]] (2010), again in collaboration with the local branch of the CFUW.

Scientists in School reached their 5 millionth student and a French language workshop stream was developed for [[Eastern Ontario]] (2012). A community workshop program was launched (2013), providing workshops to daycares, summer camps, libraries and community groups.

In 2014, Scientists in School celebrated their 25th year and officially added a second Alberta branch in [[Calgary]]. Their focus on equity expanded with the launch of the Adopt-a-School initiative, fully supporting schools serving under-resourced communities with complimentary workshops for every classroom. With the help of visionary partners, 33 schools were adopted, giving 17,800 children the opportunity to experience Scientists in School.

In 2019, Scientists in School reached their 8 millionth young scientist. Their Adopt-a-School impact almost tripled to supporting 47,500 students in 88 schools serving low-income communities across Ontario and Alberta. Scientists in School launched a Lift-a-School initiative, which like Adopt-a-School, supports schools serving low-income communities that are unable to afford the workshop fee, providing complimentary workshops on a one-to-one match for every workshop paid for by the school.

In 2020, Scientists in School reached their 10 millionth student.

Scientists in School responded to the pandemic by launching a virtual delivery model that includes delivering topic-curated mini science bags for every student in advance of the workshop. The virtual program includes over 40 virtual community and classroom workshops combined. The virtual model enabled Scientists in School to become a national organization delivering workshops in every province from coast to coast.

In 2020, Spotlight with Scientists in School, an original STEM career interview series was launched. Interviews highlight scientists who are trailblazers in their fields exploring science topics trending in the news with a focus on ways to increase [[diversity, equity, and inclusion]] in STEM. Spotlight with Scientists in School premieres on their [[Facebook]] page and [[YouTube]] channel. In 2022, Spotlight with Scientists in School aired on [[Rogers TV]] in eight regions across Ontario including [[Regional Municipality of Durham|Durham]], [[Ottawa]], [[London, Ontario|London]], [[Uxbridge, Ontario|Uxbridge]], [[Georgina, Ontario|Georgina]], [[Orangeville, Ontario|Orangeville]], [[Keswick, Ontario|Keswick]], and [[Owen Sound]]. Rogers premieres Spotlight episodes bi-weekly.

In 2021 Scientists in School rebranded with a new look that included fonts, icons, colours, and a new logo . The logo features a hand to signify the importance of the hands-on element in all the workshops. The hand image also features a "loop" to signify the infinite possibilities of STEM. In 2022 Scientists in School launched a fully accessible user-friendly new website.


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
* Conference Board of Canada's Top 100 Best Community-Business-Education Partnerships (1997)<ref name="board">http://www.conferenceboard.ca/Libraries/EDUC_PUBLIC/idea97e.sflb</ref>
* Conference Board of Canada's Top 100 Best Community-Business-Education Partnerships (1997)<ref name="board">{{cite web | url=http://www.conferenceboard.ca/Libraries/EDUC_PUBLIC/idea97e.sflb | title=500 - Error }}</ref>
* Michael Smith Award for Excellence in Science Promotion by The [[Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council]] of Canada (NSERC)<ref name="nserc">http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Prizes-Prix/SciencePromotion-PromotionScience/past-anciens_eng.asp?Year=2001</ref>
* Michael Smith Award for Excellence in Science Promotion by The [[Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council]] of Canada (NSERC)<ref name="nserc">{{cite web | url=http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Prizes-Prix/SciencePromotion-PromotionScience/past-anciens_eng.asp?Year=2001 | title=NSERC - NSERC Awards for Science Promotion - Winners | date=28 June 2016 }}</ref>
* YWCA Durham Region [[Women of Distinction Awards|Women of Distinction Award]] to Executive Director Cindy Adams (2003)<ref name="ywca">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/article/12540|title=Your Durham Region online newspaper - Today's stories from newspapers in Durham Region|first=|last=DurhamRegion.com|date=|publisher=|access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref>
* YWCA Durham Region [[Women of Distinction Awards|Women of Distinction Award]] to Executive Director Cindy Adams (2003)<ref name="ywca">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/article/12540|title=Your Durham Region online newspaper - Today's stories from newspapers in Durham Region|last=DurhamRegion.com|date=|publisher=|access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref>
* Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade 2009 Business Excellence Award<ref name="bot">{{cite web |url=http://www.apboardoftrade.com/news_releases/Business_Excellence_recipients_revealed.shtml |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-06-15 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604174938/http://www.apboardoftrade.com/news_releases/Business_Excellence_recipients_revealed.shtml |archivedate=2011-06-04 |df= }}</ref>
* Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade 2009 Business Excellence Award<ref name="bot">{{cite web |url=http://www.apboardoftrade.com/news_releases/Business_Excellence_recipients_revealed.shtml |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-06-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604174938/http://www.apboardoftrade.com/news_releases/Business_Excellence_recipients_revealed.shtml |archivedate=2011-06-04 }}</ref>
* Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Award in 2017

== Impact By Numbers ==

* 700,000 children and youth inspired annually through workshops
* 25,000 investigative workshops delivered annually
* 250,000 of the children reached live in communities where they face barriers to educational enrichment including low-income, Indigenous, rural, remote, and newcomer communities


== References ==
== References ==
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{{portal|Education|Ontario}}
{{portal|Education|Ontario}}


[[Category:Scientific organizations based in Canada‎]]
[[Category:Scientific organizations based in Canada]]
[[Category:Educational organizations based in Ontario]]

[[Category:Educational organizations based in Canada]]
[[Category:Pickering, Ontario]]

Latest revision as of 20:14, 9 November 2023

Scientists in School
Founded1989
FounderErica Bruce, Dr. Nancy Williams
TypeCharitable organization
FocusEducation, outreach, science
HeadquartersPickering, Ontario
Location
  • National
MethodHands-on workshops
Websitewww.scientistsinschool.ca

Scientists in School is a leading Canadian science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education charitable organization that offers curriculum-aligned hands-on workshops from Kindergarten to Grade 8 across the country .[1] Workshops are offered in both English and French and led by presenters that are experts in their fields. Scientists in School offers community workshops providing their program to libraries, summer camps, daycares, after-school programs and community groups. They have reached over 10 million children and youth since 1989.[2][3]

Scientists in School’s mission is to ignite scientific curiosity in children so that they question intelligently; learn through discovery; connect scientific knowledge to their world; are excited about science, technology, engineering and math; and have their interest in careers in those fields piqued.[4][1][5]

History

[edit]

Scientists in School was founded in 1989 by Erica Bruce and Dr. Nancy Williams on behalf of the Ajax-Pickering, Ontario branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW). Originally, Scientists in School was guided by the CFUW’s mandate that female graduates use their education to effect social change, but in 1999 when the organization was reaching over 100,000 young scientists annually, Scientists in School incorporated as a charitable non-profit, led by founding Executive Director, Cindy Adams.

Scientists in School began with 40 classrooms participating in the Durham region, then expanded to Toronto (1997) and Guelph in (1999). Expansion grew exponentially, serving kids in Peel, Waterloo, Halton, Niagara, and Ottawa. The first branch outside of Ontario launched in Lethbridge, Alberta (2010), again in collaboration with the local branch of the CFUW.

Scientists in School reached their 5 millionth student and a French language workshop stream was developed for Eastern Ontario (2012). A community workshop program was launched (2013), providing workshops to daycares, summer camps, libraries and community groups.

In 2014, Scientists in School celebrated their 25th year and officially added a second Alberta branch in Calgary. Their focus on equity expanded with the launch of the Adopt-a-School initiative, fully supporting schools serving under-resourced communities with complimentary workshops for every classroom. With the help of visionary partners, 33 schools were adopted, giving 17,800 children the opportunity to experience Scientists in School.

In 2019, Scientists in School reached their 8 millionth young scientist. Their Adopt-a-School impact almost tripled to supporting 47,500 students in 88 schools serving low-income communities across Ontario and Alberta. Scientists in School launched a Lift-a-School initiative, which like Adopt-a-School, supports schools serving low-income communities that are unable to afford the workshop fee, providing complimentary workshops on a one-to-one match for every workshop paid for by the school.

In 2020, Scientists in School reached their 10 millionth student.

Scientists in School responded to the pandemic by launching a virtual delivery model that includes delivering topic-curated mini science bags for every student in advance of the workshop. The virtual program includes over 40 virtual community and classroom workshops combined. The virtual model enabled Scientists in School to become a national organization delivering workshops in every province from coast to coast.

In 2020, Spotlight with Scientists in School, an original STEM career interview series was launched. Interviews highlight scientists who are trailblazers in their fields exploring science topics trending in the news with a focus on ways to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. Spotlight with Scientists in School premieres on their Facebook page and YouTube channel. In 2022, Spotlight with Scientists in School aired on Rogers TV in eight regions across Ontario including Durham, Ottawa, London, Uxbridge, Georgina, Orangeville, Keswick, and Owen Sound. Rogers premieres Spotlight episodes bi-weekly.

In 2021 Scientists in School rebranded with a new look that included fonts, icons, colours, and a new logo . The logo features a hand to signify the importance of the hands-on element in all the workshops. The hand image also features a "loop" to signify the infinite possibilities of STEM. In 2022 Scientists in School launched a fully accessible user-friendly new website.

Awards

[edit]

Impact By Numbers

[edit]
  • 700,000 children and youth inspired annually through workshops
  • 25,000 investigative workshops delivered annually
  • 250,000 of the children reached live in communities where they face barriers to educational enrichment including low-income, Indigenous, rural, remote, and newcomer communities

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "The Science and Technology Awareness Network - STAN". Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
  2. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved 2011-06-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ a b DurhamRegion.com. "Your Durham Region online newspaper - Today's stories from newspapers in Durham Region". Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  4. ^ a b "500 - Error".
  5. ^ a b "NSERC - NSERC Awards for Science Promotion - Winners". 28 June 2016.