|  |
Building futures through math, science and technology education
There are few investments more important today than promoting the skills and abilities of our young people. We sponsor a wide range of educational programs designed to spark Canadian students’ interest in science, mathematics and technology -- skills essential to our country’s prosperity.
The programs that we contributed to are judged on their quality and effectiveness in fostering math and science education and learning; training in skill areas related to our industry; business and economic literacy; and community literacy and education in remote areas.
Since 1994, the Imperial Oil Foundation has consistently invested approximately $3 million a year to Building Futures, a company program that supports education and skills development in Canada.
Math, science and technology outreach programs
|
Bringing the fun and fascination of science to Nova Scotian students
Outreach programs are a key component of St. Francis Xavier's science programs. The programs enable St. FX undergraduate students take their knowledge and skills on the road bringing a new approach to fun and fascination in the classroom and provide training and upgrading for elementary science teachers.
Foundation donation: Since 2000, over $300,000 has been awarded to the St. Francis Xavier Imperial Oil science outreach program. In 2008, an additional $200,000 was awarded to expand and enhance the programs to meet increased demand and need in the communities.
Encouraging kids to explore the wonders of science
Kids love to learn by doing. That's why the Foundation is supporting the Calgary Science Centre and Creative Kids Museum Society as they develop new programs to meet the growing demand by educators for fun and interactive programs.
Foundation donation:$250,000 to develop and launch new programs in conjunction with the opening of the new Science Centre facility in 2011.
Inspiring Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Imperial believes that educating and inspiring young people, especially young women, in the areas of science and technology is beneficial not only for students but also for the prosperity of the country as a whole. In addition to financial support for the STEM program, employees from Imperial's Network of Women Professional Engineers, Geoscientists and Scientists get involved as mentors to the aspiring scientists.
Foundation donation: $550,000
|
Exploring the wonders of science
Rumbling through the jungle, building a water park or making quicksand are just a few of the activities offered through York University's Science Explorations program aimed at encouraging children ages 8-11 to learn and explore topics in science and engineering. Science Explorations is a not-for-profit science outreach program based out of the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Foundation donation: $500,000
|
Training in skill areas related to the oil and gas industry
|
Helping women build the future
Women Building Futures is a not-for-profit organization that works with women from all backgrounds to build better lives and achieve economic independence through training, employment and mentorship in the construction industry.
Foundation donation: $30,000 donation to the Opportunities for Women in Construction program designed to increase the availability of apprentice-ready and skilled workers for oil and gas construction sector.
|
Supporting Aboriginal trades training in Alberta
In early 2007, the Foundation awarded $1 million over five years to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) to support Aboriginal trades training in millwright, electricity, instrumentation, power engineering, welding and carpentry. The funding was also used to build the Spartan Centre for Instrumentation Technology.
|
Business and economic literacy
|
Teaching business and economic fundamentals
The Foundation donated $1 million payable over five years to Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta to deliver school programs that help to prepare young people for future work opportunities. In 2008, in addition to the Foundation's donation, 120 Imperial's employees reached out with their experience and knowledge to deliver JA programs to more than 2,670 students.
Supporting Aboriginal education and training in remote areas where we operate
Imperial Oil works to build capacity in the Aboriginal communities and to encourage students to pursue post‑secondary studies in disciplines relevant to the petroleum industry through its Aboriginal scholarships, education and employment programs. The Cold Lake Native Internship program, for example, was recently recognized by the Alberta Chamber of Resources as the recipient of its Rewarding Partnership Award. Learn more...
|
Promoting literacy in urban and remote communities
|
Opening doors to opportunity
The Foundation funded literacy camps for the young people of the northern community of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta. Over 30 children participated in the 2008 summer camps delivered by Frontier College, Canada’s oldest literacy organization. Imperial's Calgary‑based employees also took the initiative to heart by donating more than 850 books to the local Athabasca Delta Community School library.
Education Matters
The Foundation has partnered with Education Matters to help Aboriginal parents and their children learn together. During the 10-week after school program, students are given the tools to improve their literacy skills and their parents are given the techniques to help their children be successful.
Foundation donation: $20,000 in this 2nd year of the pilot program.
The Foundation supports other programs that promote excellence in literacy in remote areas. "There is no more important gift we can give children to equip them for the future than literacy," explains Monica Samper, president of the Imperial Oil Foundation. "It is the key to opening minds and opening doors of opportunity."
Foundation donation: To date, more than $400,000 to support literacy programs in remote areas.
|
|
| |
