Two StFX outreach programs, one that promotes ocean preservation and stewardship among underserved youth in rural communities and one that engages rural and underserved youth in science, were successful recipients in the latest series of funding in science and research announced by the Canadian government.
X-Oceans Mobile Outreach Program for Youth in Underserved Rural Communities has received $144,000 over three years and X-Chem STEM Outreach has received $104,000 over three years, both recipients of NSERC PromoScience grants.
The announcement was made June 14, 2024 by Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, and Ryan Turnbull, Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, during a series of funding announcements at the University of Ottawa.
X-Oceans Mobile Outreach Program for Youth in Underserved Rural Communities
Lead applicant is Regina Cozzi, and team members are Kathleen Glasgow, Erin Stevens, Dr. Tammy Rodela, Dr. Russell Wyeth, and Dr. Heather Penney.. X-Oceans Outreach is a mobile program that promotes ocean preservation and stewardship among youth in rural communities. Led by the StFX Biology Department, it is the only one of its kind in northeastern Nova Scotia. Their ocean-based STEM activities provide youth with opportunities to explore the importance of marine biodiversity and ocean-related STEM careers. Facilitated by StFX students from various programs, X-Oceans Outreach offers an interdisciplinary inquiry-based learning approach to ocean sustainability and climate change mitigation. Outreach delivery includes touch-tanks and active learning tools to enhance experiential learning and instill a positive and memorable pedagogical experience. Outreach activities currently benefit youth in five counties, over 5,000 children a year in 14 schools, and youth organizations. Participants are from underserved rural communities. Funding will be used for staffing, equipment, and travel costs to continue to provide ocean literacy programming in the region.
X-Chem STEM Outreach
X-Chem STEM Outreach is a multifaceted outreach program with over 40 years experience engaging rural and underserved youth in science. Originating in the StFX Chemistry Department, X-Chem provides hands-on STEM and coding programing to over 8,000 youth each year across eight counties in Nova Scotia. A proud network member of the Canada-wide STEM learning organization Actua, X-Chem strives to inspire a curiosity and positive interest in STEM through their free school workshop program, summer camps at StFX, rural community camps, and more. Led by Director Jennifer Fraser, X-Chem employes 10-14 undergraduate students each summer as student outreach leaders. This funding will be used to employee student leaders, purchase supplies and equipment, as well as travel to rural schools and communities. Through the PromoScience funding, X-Chem will be able to continue their mission of providing accessible experiential STEM outreach to a wide variety of youth.
