GM partners with UOIT to develop STEM programs
Staff
Quality Automotive GM STEM UOITMore than 8,500 students in Durham Region will benefit from these initiatives over the next few years.
General Motors is partnering with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology to help develop STEM-focused initiatives. The goal of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program is to support and encouragement of children, particularly young girls through hands-on interactive learning experience demonstrating the real-world impact of STEM-based careers.
More than 8,500 students will benefit from these initiatives over the next few years.
The initiatives include the Elementary School Teacher Professional Development Program, promoting STEM education to Durham Region elementary school teachers; c_wonder Maker Truck program will offer hands-on advanced robotics engineering workshops at elementary and secondary school; Oshawa Assembly Plant Scholarships, this investment will create a new scholarship that rewards three Mechatronics Engineering students each year for outstanding academic achievement; ENG SQUAD Summer Camps, an annual program for students in Grades 4 to 8, focusing on the practical application of science and math to solve every day problems.
“This collaboration with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology is a continuation of our commitment to advancing STEM opportunities and education,” said Steve Carlisle, GM Canada president and managing director.
The impetus for such a collaboration comes from the fact that seventy per cent of Canada’s top jobs require a STEM type of education. However, less than half of secondary school students graduate with any senior STEM courses (Source: Let’s Talk Science, Oct 2016). With GM Canada’s investment, the university can offer two influential new STEM initiatives to the community.
“Thanks to GM Canada’s support, we launched our new professional development program for Durham Region teachers in the areas of STEM,” said Dr. Janette Hughes, Canada Research Chair in Technology and Pedagogy with the university’s Faculty of Education.
The partnership will allow for elementary and secondary students to be introduced to engineering at a much younger age and with more options for discovery.
“GM Canada’s generous investment shows their commitment to the university and to strengthening our community as a whole,” said Dr. Tarlochan Sidhu, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. “Their continued contributions to our faculty’s outreach programs will help inspire youth in Durham Region and surrounding communities to explore STEM fields and propel them into exciting careers in engineering.”
GM also announced its plan to invest $10 million globally by the end of the year to advance and improve STEM education.
