The University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering Outreach team is on a mission to ignite young people’s interest in the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and encourage them to explore further studies and careers in these fields.
With the support of Actua — a leading Canadian STEM youth outreach organization, individual and industry donors and community partners, Waterloo Engineering Outreach (WEO) delivered 915 programs and engaged over 32,000 youth in 2024. That’s a 110 per cent increase in engagement since 2018.
Waterloo Engineering Outreach has been a member of the Actua network since 1990. This membership connects WEO to funding, training and resources, enabling it to run its programs all year round, both on and off campus. Programs are designed for all youth with a focus on Black youth, Indigenous youth, girls, youth facing socioeconomic disadvantages, youth living with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
“For 35 years, Waterloo Engineering Outreach has been engaging youth in hands-on STEM, opening doors to education and career pathways that might otherwise be out of reach,” said Jennifer Flanagan, co-founder and CEO of Actua. “As a proud member of the Actua network, they are driving new opportunities in their community and beyond, equipping young people with the skills and confidence to succeed in the future of work.”
STEMpowered day camp.
The engineering design process in action at the Catalyst summer program.
Engineering Science Quest (ESQ) family STEM workshop.
Go CODE Girl workshop.
STEMpowered day camp.
The engineering design process in action at the Catalyst summer program.
Engineering Science Quest (ESQ) family STEM workshop.
Go CODE Girl workshop.
Working together to reach more youth
In recent years, an increase in financial contributions from Actua has allowed WEO programs to grow and reach more students. Part of this funding comes from a significant investment in the Actua network through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund. In 2022, WEO introduced two new programs — STEMpowered for Black youth and Kids on Campus for fourth graders. Both programs bring children onto campus for immersive STEM learning experiences that expose them to new possibilities and pathways. In 2023, the Travelling STEM program kicked off, visiting Indigenous communities across Ontario to deliver culturally relevant STEM activities on-site. Interest in longstanding programs such as Women in Engineering (WiE) for girls, Engineering Science Quest (ESQ) for all youth and Catalyst for high school students continues to grow with a steady increase in reach.
Actua’s support helps WEO offer its programs at no cost to the participating students, schools or communities. It also provides training resources, helping WEO student instructors develop their skills in topics such as classroom management, anti-racism in STEM and Indigenous worldviews.
“Actua’s unwavering support has been instrumental in expanding our barrier-free STEM programs,” said Sophie Nasato, Senior Manager of Engineering Outreach. “We're able to introduce more youth to STEM in inclusive and interesting ways, creating important pathways from kindergarten to young adulthood.”
“Many of our WEO student instructors are former Actua participants, highlighting this partnership’s profound influence. Beyond financial and resource support, being part of the Actua network connects us with outreach leaders across Canada, enabling vital collaboration and strengthening STEM education nationwide.”
Waterloo Engineering Outreach achieves its goals thanks to its partnerships with 16 school boards, 49 community organizations, 10 industry partners, 20+ campus supporters and alumni donors who are pivotal to the success of its initiatives. With diversified financial support from Actua, self-generated revenue, NSERC PromoScience, one-off grants and individual donors, WEO delivers an ongoing and growing schedule of impactful programs each year.
Read Empowering Black youth to pursue STEM, Igniting curiosity and interest in STEM and Making STEM more inclusive to learn more about three Waterloo Engineering Outreach programs.
Get in touch with Sophie Nasato, Senior Manager, Engineering Outreach at the University of Waterloo, to find out how you can support Waterloo Engineering Outreach as a sponsor, donor, co-op student or community partner.
Actua is a leading Canadian science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organization. Each year, the Actua network engages over 500,000 youth in 600 communities across Canada in transformative STEM learning experiences that build critical skills and confidence. Please visit www.actua.ca.
Waterloo Engineering Outreach summer programs instructors.