Ontario provides funding for tech based programs

[Jay Trzaskos]

An e-mail I received from a friend in the Toronto area, thought I would pass it on for all to see, especially those in the Province of Ontario.


OFFICE OF THE PREMIER OF ONTARIO

Transmitted by CNW Group on : May 27, 2006 14:00



McGuinty government helps next generation of scientists


New Community Projects Give Youth Hands-On Training From Leading Science
And Technology Researchers

TORONTO, May 27 /CNW/ - Ontario Premier and Minister of Research and
Innovation Dalton McGuinty today announced funding for community-based
projects that will inspire youth to pursue careers in science and technology
by giving them hands-on experience.
"We're on the side of Ontario families who are working hard to build
opportunity for their children," said Premier McGuinty. "Our government is
doing its part by providing young people with the opportunity to gain valuable
experience in the fields of science and technology to ensure that Ontario's
long history of innovation success continues."
Under the Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program (YSTOP), the
McGuinty government will invest more than $3.9 million over three years to
provide youth with the opportunity to work in diverse fields such as robotics,
life sciences, environmental science, engineering and theoretical physics.
YSTOP focuses on helping at-risk youth and youth living in rural and
remote communities. More than 30 projects have been approved for funding and
the Ministry of Research and Innovation is calling for more proposals. The
closing date for the next round of funding is October 10, 2006.
"YSTOP funding is crucial to emerging organizations like Visions of
Science because it allows us to create opportunities in science and technology
for our young people," said Francis Jeffers, Executive Director, Visions of
Science Network for Learning. "By listening and responding to the needs of our
community, the government is helping our youth to become good, productive
citizens."
YSTOP is the latest example of how the McGuinty government is working to
help at-risk youth overcome the significant challenges they face in their
daily lives. Other recent initiatives include:

<<
- Launching the Youth Challenge Fund and providing up to $45 million
for community-led programs targeted to young people in Toronto
- Supporting the hiring of 39 youth-outreach workers in Toronto in
2006, growing to a total of 62 workers across Ontario in 2007, who
will build relationships with hard-to-reach youth, provide advice and
connect them to appropriate services
- Making Toronto's Summer Jobs for Youth an annual program, nearly
doubling the number of youth from at-risk communities participating
from more than 300 last year to 750 this summer, and up to 1,650
provincewide next year.
>>

"Providing Ontario's young people with experience in the fields of
science and technology will not only enrich their lives, it will improve the
lives of all Ontarians by encouraging research and innovation that will create
rewarding jobs, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life," said
Premier McGuinty.

More information on YSTOP is available at: www.ontario.ca/ystop.

[Rohan_DHS]

oh wow...I live in Ontario and didn't know about this lol. Thanks for posting this.

[Tyler 783]

I would just like to point out to all Ontario teams that it explicitly states in more then one area who is eligible to apply;post-secondary institution, non-profit research institution, science awareness organization, industry or professional association, board of education or non-profit community organization supporting youth at-risk.

As seen by the above list any individual school would be unable to apply for funding. Though a board of education could apply for funding and possibly get enough money to have more then one of their schools run FIRST programs, such as FLL, FVC, and FRC. I suggest to any team that would like to get funding from this source, to first carefully read what is required, there is a long list of criteria which should be followed to the letter. Then with all this in mind (and if your really serious about it all the criteria met) you should approach your school board and ask them for their support.

This seems like a great opportunity for teams to get some much needed financial support, but there are some stringent criteria to follow, which seems to make it more difficult for FIRST teams to apply, but hey that's what FIRST is about, it's about overcoming obstacles right?

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Tyler 783

I would just like to point out to all Ontario teams that it explicitly states in more then one area who is eligible to apply;post-secondary institution, non-profit research institution, science awareness organization, industry or professional association, board of education or non-profit community organization supporting youth at-risk.

As seen by the above list any individual school would be unable to apply for funding. Though a board of education could apply for funding and possibly get enough money to have more then one of their schools run FIRST programs, such as FLL, FVC, and FRC. I suggest to any team that would like to get funding from this source, to first carefully read what is required, there is a long list of criteria which should be followed to the letter. Then with all this in mind (and if your really serious about it all the criteria met) you should approach your school board and ask them for their support.

This seems like a great opportunity for teams to get some much needed financial support, but there are some stringent criteria to follow, which seems to make it more difficult for FIRST teams to apply, but hey that's what FIRST is about, it's about overcoming obstacles right?

I wonder if a FIRST regional planning committee (in Toronto and/or Waterloo) would qualify as a science awareness organization? Or maybe NiagaraFIRST, or another Ontario organization with similar purpose?

[Beth Sweet]

Is this something that is the result of FIRST team petitioning???

[Timothy D. Ginn]

Originally Posted by Tyler 783

I would just like to point out to all Ontario teams that it explicitly states in more then one area who is eligible to apply;post-secondary institution, non-profit research institution, science awareness organization, industry or professional association, board of education or non-profit community organization supporting youth at-risk.

I guess that helps out the University-sponsored teams; which is great for me, since I'm in the early stages of starting up an FLL team at Queen's and funding is the biggest (but definitely not the only) concern I have.

[Karthik]

To answer some of the questions brought up in this thread. Yes, there have been discussions by the Waterloo and Toronto Regionals in regards to tapping into this funding. If my memory serves me correctly, David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo addressed this during his speech at the Waterloo Regional.

Originally Posted by Beth Sweet

Is this something that is the result of FIRST team petitioning???

Don't think so, it's just another pro-education annoucement by our provincial government and Premier who's legacy will be the "education premier", but having said that...one would hope that this funding can be tapped into to create more FIRST teams in Canada, considering what I've read about First and saw when shooting the news story at GTR it would make sense that this is the way to go because it's more than just the technical stuff and robots it's all the other good stuff that is equaly important.

let's hope this money is available soon and the area boards go after it.

[Jonathan Norris]

Wow, Thanks for pointing this out, I had no idea. I will definitely research this further. I hope that the restrictions allow FIRST teams to be supported (even a team held at a private school that receives no direct funding from the school, try telling that repeatedly to all the corporations that won't give money to a FIRST team held at a private school ).

[Karthik]

Originally Posted by Karthik

To answer some of the questions brought up in this thread. Yes, there have been discussions by the Waterloo and Toronto Regionals in regards to tapping into this funding. If my memory serves me correctly, David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo addressed this during his speech at the Waterloo Regional.

As many of you may know, both the Greater Toronto and Waterloo Regionals have the Province of Ontario listed as a sponsor. This sponsorship is a direct result of funding received through YSTOP. Unfortunately, the Province will likely be reluctant to fund other FIRST associated projects. The good news is that FIRST received maximum amount of funding to go towards both regionals ($150,000 over 3 years).