SUDBURY – Today, Viviane Lapointe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Sudbury, and Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced an investment of $1,073,130 for Science North through CanCode.

With this investment, Science North will expand on its past successful CanCode programming with students and teachers across Northern Ontario by sharing new tools for digital skills learning and exploring emerging concepts in AI as its connected to new technology, math and science curricula.

Through bilingual in-person school outreach, e-workshops, and onsite programs for school and public audiences, Science North will engage over 30,000 students, including 5,000 Indigenous students, in topics such as cyber security and safety, understanding and managing disinformation and misinformation, and new and emerging concepts of AI and coding.

Lesson plans and teacher workshops will adapt to the changing coding landscape by discussing topics like AI and exploring new tools and platforms for teachers that fit both the Science and Technology curriculum and new Technology Education curriculum. Over 30,000 teachers will be engaged through these initiatives.

From 2017 to 2024, Science North engaged with over 184,900 students, many from rural northern communities and remote First Nation communities, and introduced students to coding, computational skills, robotics programming and other digital skills. This additional funding will allow them to reach over 30,000 students.

Quotes

"Science North is a leader in providing innovative learning experiences for students. With this investment, we are helping young bright minds in Sudbury and northern Ontario by providing access to the knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. This funding will help expand opportunities for student to develop critical digital skills in AI, coding, and cyber security. By equipping the next generation with these essential skills, we are strengthening our local economy, fostering innovation, and preparing our youth for the jobs of the future." – Viviane Lapointe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“Investing in digital skills training is investing in the future of our youth, our workforce, and our economy. I have had the privilege to engage with youth who have reaped the benefits of this program; it was an enriching experience to see the enthusiasm and intrigue that followed.   This additional CanCode funding will ensure that students across Northern Ontario will have access to cutting-edge learning opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, coding as well as understanding and managing disinformation, and misinformation which is so vital . Science North continues to be a leader in STEM education, and I’m thrilled to see this initiative empowering over 30,000 students with the skills they need to thrive in a digital world.” – Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt

"Science North is thrilled to continue our partnership with CanCode, expanding access to critical digital skills and emerging technologies for students and teachers across Northern Ontario. This funding will allow us to reach over 30,000 students—including 5,000 Indigenous students—through engaging, bilingual programming that explores AI, cybersecurity, and coding. By providing educators with the tools and training they need to navigate the evolving digital landscape, we are empowering the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in a technology-driven world. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for their continued investment in science education and for recognizing the importance of equipping youth with the skills to succeed in an increasingly digital society." -Ashley Larose, MSc, Science North CEO

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has invested $229.2 million in the CanCode program since its launch in 2017.

• In its first three phases, CanCode helped provide over 9 million coding and digital skills training opportunities to millions of Canadian students, as well as over 450,000 opportunities to teachers.

• CanCode funding recipients deliver digital skills learning opportunities to students from kindergarten to grade 12 and provide training for teachers to incorporate new digital skills and technologies into their classrooms.