Growing Future Scientists: Canadian Nuclear Revitalization Partners Announces Funding for Basic Science Education

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario, May 19, 2015 /CNW/ -- Students in elementary schools across Canada will have increased access to hands-on "Edukits" from Canada Science and Technology Museum, thanks to a new alliance with Canadian Nuclear Revitalization Partners that was announced today.

CNRP is the team led by Canadian firms Hatch and Golder Associates and global engineering leader Bechtel. The team is seeking to partner with Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (AECL) to manage and operate Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.

"It's very clear from our experience at large, national laboratories that strong, hands-on education in the basic sciences – at the elementary school ages – is absolutely pivotal in a young person's choice to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics," said CNRP representative David Campbell. "The Edukits are not only fun but they encourage scientific literacy and we're proud to support them."

The CA$25,000 donation will fund free access to the Edukits for schools that demonstrate financial need; additional Edukits for increased availability; and supplies to replenish the kits once they're returned to the Museum. Kits will also be offered year-round to schools in Deep River, Ontario, home of Chalk River Laboratories; and near Winnipeg, Manitoba, site of Whiteshell Laboratories.

"We take our institutional responsibility to spark interest for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in young Canadians very seriously," said Alex Benay, CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation. "Our Education Development and Outreach team are uniquely qualified in the development of educational materials that can be used off-the-shelf in classrooms across the country, and meet the various curriculum requirements throughout the country."

With the donation, CNRP becomes a partner is the Museum's Let's Talk Energy program, which promotes science education through exhibits, downloadable curriculum for teachers, in-person science talks, videos, and hands-on kits.

Canadian Nuclear Revitalization Partners is a team with deep Canadian roots, built from industry leaders in nuclear laboratory management, science and technology commercialization, nuclear security and operations, engineering, environmental remediation and regulation, infrastructure, and construction. The team brings more than 180 years of experience working in Canada. 

CNRP is not only dedicated to growing the vital nuclear, scientific, and environmental capacity across Canada through CNL, but also to enhancing the communities and supporting employees critical to CNL's locations. Building for the future is what these companies do every day and involvement with the community is a critical component of this important work.

In particular, STEM – education based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – is a signature effort for CNRP as well as its member companies Bechtel, Hatch, and Golder.  Since 2012, Bechtel has donated more than $250,000 to STEM programs in Canada, including sending four Toronto FIRST Robotics teams (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to the FIRST Championship in Saint Louis, Missouri just last month.

In 2014 alone, Hatch donated $1.5 million to educational programs, research, and scholarship funding, including its annual Gerald G. Hatch Scholarship program; scholarships for the University of Toronto's Institute for Sustainable Energy; and Aboriginal scholarships at Queens University, McMaster University, University of Toronto and University of British Columbia.  In 2015 Hatch started a new scholarship program for Aboriginal students entering the engineering program at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, as well as a mentorship program to reach youth in remote Ontario communities.

Golder has a long history in Canada of supporting technical research and education in the areas of earth and environment.  Between the Golder Foundation that offers annual awards to graduate students nearing completion of their studies, to sponsorship of the Visiting Specialist/Professor program at Queen's University for  GeoEngineering, to Golder's Research Chair in Energy Management in Quebec in partnership with Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal and University du Quebec en Abitibi-Timiscamingue (UQAT), and the  annual Environmental Award at Keyano college for students studying environmental solutions associated with natural resource development, Golder provides hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in support of education and science.

For more information on Canadian Nuclear Revitalization Partners, or its member firms, please visit us at www.cnrp-prnc.com.

• Fred deSousa
  [e-mail] | 703-429-6435
• Boyd Coffman
  [e-mail] | 905-403-4240
• Barb Kuester
  [e-mail] | 403-681-8717

SOURCE Canadian Nuclear Revitalization Partners