Grant: Synapse - CIHR Youth Connection Program

Let's Talk Science (Parlons sciences) is a national, charitable organization dedicated to motivating and empowering children and youth to use science, engineering and technology to develop critical skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to thrive in our world. It creates and delivers programs and services that turn children and youth on to science, keep them engaged in learning and develop their potential to become 21st century citizens and innovators. Let's Talk Science's reach is broad and the core value of increasing access to quality learning opportunities drives all who work and volunteer for the organization. With this application we are seeking three years of support of $100,000 per year (total $300,000), which will be applied to Let's Talk Science Outreach (LTS outreach), the national volunteer-driven program previously called the Partnership Program. Let's Talk Science Outreach is offered in partnership with thousands of volunteers at 33 universities and colleges across Canada (up in 2010/11 from 30 sites). Approximately one half of all Let's Talk Science Outreach activities are related to life and health sciences and are led by volunteers with expertise in life sciences. With CIHR support, over the next three years, nine new outreach sites will be launched, increased numbers of volunteers (primarily graduate students) will offer hands-on/minds-on science programs for free to an estimated 440,000 youth in hundreds of communities across Canada. Diverse opportunities will also be offered specifically to Synapse Mentors and other CIHR-funded researchers both through the Let's Talk Science Outreach program and through CurioCity, a new web-based program for teens. Core support is requested for national outreach program staff salaries; volunteer training program; and the delivery of science activities by partnering outreach sites.