Students with an interest and passion for science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) can get a jump on their education by applying for an inaugural scholarship being offered in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Previously known as Pinnguaq, Ampere has announced the launch of a STEAM School Scholarship, which is available to one child or youth between the ages of nine and 12 years old, at its school in Lindsay.
Families of learners passionate about STEAM are invited to submit a completed entry form by noon on Thursday (December 19) for a chance to win. A value of more than $1,300, the scholarship allows one child to attend STEAM School one day per week between January and June 2025 (excluding the week of March 10, when the school is not operating).
Jamie Steel, Ampere’s senior lead of community relations, told kawarthaNOW the non-profit organization has a few goals for the scholarship and STEAM education overall.
“Our hope for this scholarship is that it gives a learner the opportunity to experience the joy of discovery and understanding of STEAM in ways that are most impactful for who they are as an individual, as is the case for all of our STEAM School learners,” Steel said.
“Winning this scholarship, attending STEAM School, could be the first or next step in their journey to fulfilling their dreams.”
She noted STEAM School gives children and youth the chance to explore their interests and passion for the subjects in a hands-on environment.
“Not only will what they learn help prepare them for the STEAM-powered world we live in, the way they learn — in an inclusive community of peers — is intended to support relationship building and a sense of belonging.”
The STEAM School, which Ampere launched in Kawartha Lakes in September, is a day school that gives learners in Grades 4 to 6 the chance to advance their knowledge of STEAM subjects and learn how they can contribute to the STEAM sector.
“It’s engaging and student-led, with the bonus of access to small class sizes, the latest learning tools, technology and resources,” said Ampere CEO Ryan Oliver in a media release.
“What’s even more exciting is the winner of this scholarship, as well as everyone else who enrols in STEAM School starting in January, will be among the first learners in our new, 3,500-square foot makerspace.”
Oliver said he looks forward to welcoming the community to the new hub at 12 Peel St. in Lindsay in January 2025.
For more information about STEAM School or to apply for the scholarship, visit steamschools.ca.
Originally from Lindsay, Oliver worked for almost nine years for the territorial government in Nunavut, where he founded the not-for-profit Pinnguaq Association in Pangnirtung in 2012 to provide Nunavummiut youth access to technology through games.
Working alongside rural, remote, Indigenous, and other communities, the organization grew to deliver programs for people of all ages that target cultivating STEAM skills through innovative technology, art, and play. In September, Pinnguaq Association changed its name and branding to Ampere.
“Over the past decade, our organization’s mandate and reach has evolved — it was time for our identity to do the same,” said Steel about the rationale for the name change. “It has been an incredible journey growing from where we started in Pangnirtung to an organization that works in and alongside communities from coast to coast to coast.”
Ampere is an acronym for advocacy, mentorship, production, education, resources, and employment, which are the six elements of the organization’s lifecycle. It also reflects the word ampere (often abbreviated as amp), a unit of electrical current, and the idea that the world is “powered” by STEAM.
“Pinnguaq is the Inuktitut word for play, which has been and remains an integral part of who we are and how we approach STEAM education. The name Ampere is rooted in our lifecycle, our approach to the complex problem of equitable access to STEAM education, resources, and opportunities in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.”
To learn more about Ampere, visit amp.ca.
