FOSTERING
SCIENCE
Our Program
Fostering Science is a NSERC PromoScience funded program that introduces youth in or from care (eg. foster care, group homes) in the Province of British Columbia (BC) to the wonders of science. It is designed and run by a group of scientists who are passionate about science and youth, in partnership with the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks and the Science Fair Foundation BC.
In recent years, the program has been extended to not only be offered to youth in or from care, it is now available to youths facing difficult life circumstances due to social, economic and/or cultural adversity, which includes but not limited to youth in/or from care, with refugee experiences, recent immigrants (within the last 3 years) and youth from families exposed to violence, drug/ alcohol problems.
The program will include an orientation and mentorship program, with the opportunity to present at regional science fairs throughout BC. The Fostering Science program will also involve the creation of science fair prizes, specifically for youth in or from care. The mission of the program is to foster a passion for science, and the program will ideally encourage youth in or from care, who are currently an underrepresented group in universities and colleges in BC, to pursue undergraduate degrees and careers in science and engineering.
Our Goals
- To increase participation of youths facing difficult life circumstances at science fairs
- To work with youth facing difficult life circumstances to inspire an interest in science and engineering
- To bring interactive, hands-on science/ engineering to youth facing difficult life circumstances
- To provide youth facing difficult life circumstances with the opportunity to develop positive relationships with science mentors in the community
Students
Do you identify as a student youths facing difficult life circumstances due to social, economic and/or cultural adversity? Are you interested in participating in the science fair and would like to be paired with a mentor?
Mentors
Would you like to help a high school student prepare for their science fair project and help them discover science?
Parents/ Guardians/ Teachers
Do you know a high school student youths facing difficult life circumstances due to social, economic and/or cultural adversity and is interested in participating in the science fair and you’re not sure where to start?