More than two million dollars to help a Saint John company offering STEAM camps teach kids job skills for the future. (Tamara Steele/Wave News)
Brilliant Labs of Saint John getting $1.6 million in funding through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to help kids learn the skills required for the jobs of tomorrow.
The not-for-profit organization operates STEAM camps with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math in 85 communities throughout Atlantic Canada.
Science and Sport Minister Kirsty Duncan made the announcement during a visit to Beaconsfield school in Saint John, NB on Wednesday.
“And why does science, technology, engineering, arts and math matter? Because we know the jobs of the future are going to involve creativity, science, technology and math.”
More than $1 million dollars from ACOA for Brilliant Labs. They run STEAM camps all over Atlantic Canada. Kirsty Duncan, Minister for Science and Sport, made the announcement at Beaconsfied School in Saint John. pic.twitter.com/YVz7Z5zQ6S
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) July 17, 2019
Duncan acknowledged Brilliant Labs executive director Jeff Willson and his pay-it-forward approach.
“This incredible entrepreneur who said when he received his award ‘how do we help the children of our region?’ and really putting the challenge out there.” Duncan said.
Minister Duncan asked the children about the dreams which ranging from working with computers to following in their dad’s footsteps with a family business and becoming a fashion designer.
She spoke with the campers about their dreams which range from working with computers to a family business and becoming fashion designers.
“They all understood that science and technology would play a part in their future,” Duncan said.
The provincial governments of Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador will also contribute over a million dollars combined to this project.
Brilliant Labs also employs many Canada summer students including Leah Melvin who is a second-year NBCC student in Information Technology and works as a mentor and supervisor at the STEAM camps.
Preparing youth for the jobs of tomorrow is critical to growing the Atlantic Canadian economy. With over $1.6 million in support, we are helping @brilliant_labs create a workforce with digital skills, giving Atlantic Canadians the skills they need for the jobs of the future. pic.twitter.com/2KBpmPoZaP
— Kirsty Duncan (@KirstyDuncanMP) July 17, 2019
Jeff Willson of Brilliant Labs says with this funding they will move away from their traditional work teaching kids skills and coding to one that has a social responsibility kind of mandate and an entrepreneurial spirit.
“So we are asking these young people to solve real-world problems with technology and we can now support them when they come up with something creative and imaginative and say ‘ok, let’s try and get you a provisional patent to go with that idea and see how far you can go with it,'” Willson said.
Wilson told the story of Graham from Saint John and his Quickfit idea, a hockey sock that would solve the problem of using tape to cover shinpads.
He designed a quick-release mechanism for it that also reduces waste.
