Founded 1989 | Method Hands-on workshops | |
Founder Erica Bruce, Dr. Nancy Williams Type Charitable organization Focus Education, outreach, science Location Ontario, Canada, Alberta, Canada | ||
Scientists in School (SiS) is a Canadian non-profit, charitable organization that offers science education and STEM workshops aligned with the curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 8. Scientists in School service more than 660,000 children annually in Ontario and Alberta. They are in more than 25,000 English and French-speaking classrooms in 351 communities annually. Over 400 workshop presenters have career backgrounds in science, technology and engineering and deliver hands-on programs in a half-day format designed to spark scientific curiosity. In 2013, Scientists in School begin offering community workshops providing their program to daycares, summer camps, libraries and community groups. They estimate they have served over seven million children and youth since 1989.
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History
Scientists in School was founded in 1989 by Erica Bruce and Dr. Nancy Williams on behalf of the Ajax-Pickering branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women. Originally, Scientists in School was guided by the CFUW's mandate that female graduates use their education to effect social change, but in 1999, when Scientists in School's participating students grew to over 100,000, Scientists in School incorporated as a charitable non-profit.
Scientists in School began with 40 classrooms participating in the Durham region, then the program expanded into Toronto and beyond. In 1998, Scientists in School opened its first branch serving kids in Guelph, Peel, Waterloo and Halton regions. In 2009, another two chapters open in Niagara region and in Ottawa. In 2011, the program launched in Hamilton, Brantford and Brant. In 2012, Scientists in School launched their French language workshop stream for schools in Ottawa. Scientists in School has five regional branches including a national office in Pickering, Ontario, and one regional branch in Lethbridge, Alberta.