THE MINDFUEL FOUNDATION

Inspiring Minds. Building Futures. Supporting STEM and Innovation.

Our STEM and innovation programming is in demand from youth and educators. We have big aspirations, but we need your help. Your support will go directly to supporting program delivery and inspiring youth on their path to STEM learning and their innovation journey.

ABOUT US:

The MindFuel Foundation ignites a passion and curiosity for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for youth, supporting Canada’s innovation capacity. For over 35 years, we have been inspiring young people to shape their future by becoming the innovators of tomorrow. By sparking their imagination and building their self-confidence, we empower young people to take risks and adopt a growth and innovation mindset. Youth build real-world skills, become creative problem-solvers, and think critically about the world around them. Since 1990, MindFuel has served Canadian youth, reaching hundreds of thousands of young people across Canada through our in-person and online STEM learning programs.

We believe that immersing young people in the world of STEM innovation is crucial to Canada’s overall prosperity. MindFuel has recognized that investments in STEM education and youth innovation positively serve Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Our programs are designed to engage youth at all stages of their development, including during K-12 and post-secondary education, as this is a critical time when youth develop attitudes, skills & knowledge regarding the world around them and begin to define the future role they wish to create for themselves.

OUR WHY:

As the current and future economy becomes increasingly technology-based, MindFuel recognizes the need for all youth, especially those underrepresented in STEM, to be prepared, educated, and competitive for the jobs of tomorrow. The need for economic diversification and ensuring all youth have access to STEM-related careers and learning has never been more pressing. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) reported the struggle that young people face in skills development in the changing economic landscape. In a 2017 ESDC report, 13 Ways to Modernize Employment, it noted that, “Our educational institutions are struggling to keep up to date with the pace of change, and students feel like they are behind or unprepared for the job market when they graduate."

We recognize that significant barriers exist to STEM learning, particularly in rural communities across Alberta and Canada. From the Journal of Technology Education, Enhancing STEM Attitudes of Rural High School Students through Engineering Design-Based Learning (2025) found that at the high school level, the low performance in STEM subjects by students in rural schools is seeing a widening gap due to factors such as teacher quality, insufficient resources, financial support, and economic inequality.

Developing a strong foundation in STEM education, leading to a robust innovation pipeline, needs to start now. Young people need access to the skills and knowledge that bridge academic learning with the realities of the future of work, and then use those skills to drive employment and, ultimately, contribute to economic growth. Stated in a 2019 Federal Government report, Building a Nation of Innovators, “Innovation is the key to competitiveness, productivity, economic growth, creating good jobs, and overall making life better for all Canadians. To become one of the most innovative countries in the world, Canada must build a culture of innovation, where Canadians can embrace change and have the right skill sets and tools to leverage emerging opportunities to compete in the global economy.”

Through our unique programming, we are addressing these challenges. We offer a range of programs designed to foster youth knowledge in STEM and innovation. We have successfully helped youth develop positive attitudes, skills, and knowledge regarding problem-solving, all critical to innovation, specifically through: hands-on learning, mentor-supported prototype development, peer-based collaboration, and guidance from STEM subject matter experts and mentors in industry and academia.

OUR PROGRAMS:

(1) Canada Tech Futures - Focuses on direct hands-on youth innovation and STEM learning, and educator resources and support: (a) Tech Futures Challenge - For high school and post-secondary youth, (b) Pre-Tech Futures Challenge - For elementary to high school youth, mostly in rural/remote areas and Indigenous communities, and (c) Professional Learning – Hands-on sessions to equip educators and instructors with the tools and confidence to lead innovation-based learning.

(2) Digital/interactive – Resources and online platforms for educators and youth: (a) Wonderville.org - Students explore the world of STEM through engaging digital activities that align with science curriculum standards, and (b) Codingville.ca – Students are introduced to coding skills through a game-based learning platform.

All programs are powered by MindFuel’s innovative tech-based AI platform – Connect2Innovate, which builds connections without boundaries among students, academia, industry leaders, and innovators to foster an ecosystem of problem-solvers and innovation across Canada.

OUR IMPACT:

We know students gain skills, knowledge and confidence from participating in MindFuel's programming, as well as have increased interest in STEM post-secondary and career aspirations. We have witnessed firsthand students who lacked interest in school, but were excited to come to school and attend MindFuel STEM education sessions, and explore careers in STEM. And, a university student with an innovative idea for a product, but lacking the knowledge to bring it to fruition, was able to start a company and bring their product to market with the support of MindFuel.

Over the past two years, MindFuel has directly supported over 2,800 students and teachers with immersive STEM innovation learning opportunities. Though our efforts frequently focus on rural Alberta and Indigenous communities, we also work in other provinces and major urban centers. Additionally, MindFuel has delivered over 286,000 learning sessions to students and teachers outside of Canada, spanning 143 countries and more than 6,700 global communities through our digital learning resources.

From evaluations, we know that students who participated in MindFuel’s hands-on programming:

(1) Improved their knowledge, skills, and self-confidence in STEM;
(2) Plan to study STEM at a post-secondary institution and pursue a career in STEM;
(3) Find the design thinking process helpful/valuable in developing real-world project ideas and solutions;
(4) Knowledge, skills and confidence in STEM are increasing; and
(5) Attendance at school and classroom participation increased, along with sustained interest, focus, and motivation to continue learning.

In addition, educators' knowledge and confidence in teaching STEM, tech-based learning, and an innovation mindset increased from the professional learning sessions MindFuel provides.

MORE INFORMATION:

2023-2025 Annual Report: https://mindfuel.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2023-25-Annual-Report-V3.pdf

10-Year Economic Impact Study: https://mindfuel.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Overview-of-December-2024...

Tech Futures Challenge Impact Report: https://mindfuel.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/May-31-Impact-Report-V3.pdf