Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program (YSTOP) – Seneca
I CAN do this! : Inspiring and Engaging Youth in Science and Technology
Seneca’s YSTOP program, I CAN do this! involves the design and delivery of a comprehensive suite of experiences in applied science and technology aimed at connecting with and engaging at risk youth and their influencers: parents/guardians, teachers and the community. Hands on workshops, demonstrations, visits to the college and partner facilities will ensure that youth connect face to face with professional technicians and technologists, professional engineers and scientists and that parents/guardians, teachers and the community will have a better understanding of the role of these individuals, the variety of opportunities that exist and the pathways which lead to these careers. Activities have been designed with the statement "I see me there" in mind. They are fun, informative, engaging, and most important, inspirational. Each activity has the potential of involving senior science and technology students, post graduate students, alumni and advisory committee members.
Project partners include the Toronto District School Board and IBM. Seneca's long standing relationship with OACETT (Ontario Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists) will ensure that participants understand the role and contribution of professional engineering technicians and technologists.
Workshops in Communications Technology, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Fire Science, Life Sciences, including Biotechnology and Information Technology will be offered on site at Seneca College, in TDSB classrooms and community centres, in classrooms or labs as appropriate. In some cases participants will be able to "take away" what they created.
Thirty-six workshops/activities were offered in the second year of the project; this activity increases in years 3 of the project such that by the end of the program 90 workshops will have been delivered.