What is Access Initiatives?

The Access Initiatives program seeks to expand the reach of current Partnership Program activities nationally beyond their current scope, particularly to reach youth that do not have the same level of access to science programming because of geographic, socio-economic, or cultural factors.

Funding

Ontario sites receive funding from YSTOP (Youth Science and Technology Outreach Program) to deliver hands-on workshops to youth in outlying or rural areas.  $3100/per year is allotted to deliver 1 public and 1 youth event/per semester.

Our Access Initiatives Events

In March 2006, we presented a workshop to 275 grade 7 and 8 students from Little Current, Mindemoya, Manitowaning, Gore Bay, and Espanola.  The workshop involved physical activity, nutrition, body trivia, and the importance of leading healthy lifestyles.  All feedback received was extremely positive making the entire experience exciting and worthwhile.  Each school has requested a visit in the near future.

In June of 2006, we brought this same workshop on a three-day trip to 250 more grade 7 and 8 students to schools in Markstay, Coniston, Chelmsford, Levack, Webbwood and Massey. Again, the workshop was well received and the students learned a lot about nutrition, physiology, anatomy and exercise. We also brought this presentation to a health fair in Sheshegwaning on Manitoulin Island.

Also in June of 2006, we brought four oxygen related experiments to the grand opening of a new oxygen plant at Inco. Children from the community enjoyed the hands-on aspect of these experiments very much.