New Donation to the STEAM Centre Supports Innovative Education Programs
Local elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students will have the opportunity to inform the development of community-building projects in St. Thomas & Elgin County
The STEAM Centre is very pleased to announce a contribution of $135,000 from a generous local donor to support the continuation of both the ‘STEAM Community Studio’ and the ‘Students Build Cities’ program in collaboration with Thames Valley District School Board and the team at young & free press. Through these programs, local elementary, secondary and even post-secondary students have the opportunity to contribute ideas to shape innovative community projects. Virtual and in-person sessions connect students directly to the process. Over the past two years, students have participated in more than a dozen projects through these programs, developing design-thinking skills and using a variety of prototyping tools.
“We are thrilled to arrange this wonderful donation to the STEAM Centre”, comments Andrew Gunn, President of Andrew Gunn Consulting and Owner & Editor of young & free press. “Since 2020, we have witnessed the growth and development of the ‘STEAM Community Studio’, which was supported initially with a donation from the Estate of Donna Bushell. The staff at the STEAM Centre provide an exceptional experience, designing ways for students to come up with solutions to real-life challenges brought forward by community members. In complementary fashion, the ‘Students Build Cities’ program gives students the opportunity to be creative and suggest their own ideas to enhance the community. With this funding, the STEAM Centre will be able to support the development and implementation of projects driven forward by students. This is an authentic and rewarding way for students to participate in city-building.”
“We are so excited to receive these funds as we know how much these programs benefit the students,” says Denise Love, Fundraising and Program Manager of STEAM Education Centre. “Those who participate always leave with a new way of looking at the world and truly develop a sense of the importance of community giveback.”
“It has been an honour to see the students thrive and offer their insightful ideas and solutions to community challenges,” adds Fred Cahill, Executive Director of the STEAM Education Centre. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to continue to do this work and to see the direct benefit to community projects.”
“We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the STEAM Center and young & free press to build up these innovative programs for students,” states Laura Briscoe, Coordinator of Experiential Learning and Specialist High Skills Major Programs at Thames Valley District School Board.
For further information, please contact
Denise Love, Fundraising and Program Manager
denise@steameducation.ca / 226.212.0048 / www.steameducation.ca
