OUR STORY -- WHY WE EXIST
“Education is a once in a lifetime opportunity to open children’s hearts and minds to the unbelievable wonder of the universe.” – Sir Anthony Seldon
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WHAT WE DO -- We help build Canada’s youth innovation talent. We believe that immersing youth in the world of STEM innovation is critical to Canada’s overall prosperity. For 35 years, MindFuel has recognized that investments into the youth innovation segment positively serve Canada’s innovation ecosystem. Therefore, our programs are designed to engage youth at all stages of their development including during K-12 and post-secondary, as this is a critical time where youth develop attitudes, skills & knowledge regarding the world around them and they begin to define the future role they wish to create for themselves.
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HOW WE DO IT -- As a leader in educational technology and STEM innovation programming in Canada, we deliver programming to all provinces and territories, and we are a key partner to many stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, where we focus on providing skills development for youth as they prepare to become the knowledge workforce of tomorrow.
Critically, we focus on supporting under-represented youth which includes females in STEM, Indigenous, economically disadvantaged, rural/remote communities, and newcomers. Our programming distributes to over 1,600 communities in Canada in all provinces and territories each year. In the last fiscal reporting period, we served more than 125,000 Canadian youth.
To date, we have invested over $130M to support and advance Canada’s innovation agenda.
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OUR REQUESTS - WHAT YOU CAN DO
Become a MindFueler today – and join our mission to inspire youth innovation. Is STEM education, innovation, or entrepreneurialism important to you? Do you want to support students on their journey to becoming the knowledge workers of tomorrow? All donations help to create future STEM leaders who are ready to solve real-world issues.
Your support can help us create more life changing moments. Donate today so you can help inspire a lifelong passion for STEM innovation.
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SUPPORT THESE FUNDING AREAS:
## Program expansion: youth innovation talent development. Demand for our programming currently exceeds our ability to support.
##Building out our national alumni network, requires a dedicated alumni coordinator to support alumni engagement and ongoing case study development.
## Scholarships to support Canada’s underrepresented youth populations who have an interest in post-secondary STEM pursuits.
## Development and ongoing support for our many online platforms and tools.
Together, we can make a difference by providing critically needed access to quality STEM programs for Canadian youth, including underrepresented and vulnerable populations, so that we can help drive Canada’s innovation agenda and prepare youth for the jobs of the future.
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OUR IMPACT:
We collaborate with hundreds of stakeholders throughout Canada each year, including school boards, Indigenous communities, universities, industry, community organizations that work with youth, newcomers, at-risk youth, and more. Together, we play a vital role in inspiring and engaging youth in STEM innovation. We appreciate our supporters and partners at https://mindfuel.ca/our-supporters/.
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REACH OVERVIEW
)))))))))))))))))))))))) Each year we reach over 100,000 Canadian youth with STEM literacy programming in over 1,600 communities, serving every province and territory.
)))))))))))))))))))))))) Programming focus: climate change, coding and robotics, innovation and emerging technology, health, STEM knowledge foundations, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, 21st century STEM careers, and space and astronomy.
)))))))))))))))))))))))) Each year we reach 1000+ Canadian youth with immersive in-person innovation and entrepreneurialism training/learning in communities across Canada.
)))))))))))))))))))))))) Our typical programming distribution in an annual cycle is as follows: 50% female, 5% Indigenous, 30% economically disadvantaged/newcomers/racialized/rural & remote youth.
)))))))))))))))))))))))) Each year, we engage hundreds of partners, mentors, and subject matter experts in industry and academia and more, who volunteer valuable time and expertise to develop youth innovation talent.
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IMPACT OF PROGRAMMING:
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 84% of students stated: “By participating in this program and competition, I improved my knowledge, skills, and self-confidence in STEM.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 86% of students stated, “I plan to study STEM at a post- secondary institution.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 87% of students stated, “I am interested in pursuing a career in STEM.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 84% of students stated, “I believe this team project work will support my future career in STEM and/or entrepreneurship.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 96% of students stated, “I am finding the design thinking process helpful/valuable in developing real-world project ideas and solutions.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 93% of students stated, “My knowledge, skills and confidence in STEM are increasing.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 97% of judges stated, “The Project Prototype program and competition increase youth’s engagement and interest in STEM.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 94% of judges stated, “Participating in Tech Futures Challenge can inspire students to pursue a post-secondary STEM program.”
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 97% of judges stated, “The resources and support offered through this program and competition provide youth with deep/impactful learning opportunities.”
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For more IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS, please visit )))))))))))))))))))))))) : https://mindfuel.ca/annual-report-and-impact/
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PROGRAM SUCCESSES – for more information, please visit:
)))))))))))))))))))))))) Building a Nation of Innovators: https://mindfuel.ca/canada-tech-futures/
)))))))))))))))))))))))) Recent Youth Innovation Showcase: https://mindfuel.ca/tfc-teamprojects/
)))))))))))))))))))))))) 10 Year IMPACT Study released June 2023: https://mindfuel.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/MindFuel-GenomeAlberta-Im...
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