Jennifer Flanagan is the co-founder and President and CEO of Actua, a national charitable organization that engages Canadian youth in inspiring and innovative science and technology experiences. Through camps, classroom workshops, clubs, and community outreach, Actua's programs reach a quarter of a million youth annually. Over the past decade, Jennifer has led the development of Actua's national barrier-breaking programs, which engage Indigenous youth, girls and young women, youth living in rural and remote communities and other at-risk youth. To accomplish this work, Jennifer partners with leading corporate sector companies, governments and other non-profits.
Jennifer has served on the boards of several local, national and international groups that are committed to furthering educational opportunities for youth and for women. In 2007, Jennifer was named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women and in 2011 she was the recipient of a Y Women of Distinction Award (Education and Training) and was named one of Ottawa's Top Forty Under 40. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Management from McGill University in Montreal.
"The COVID-Pivot" - sounds like the dance move of the year, doesn't it? Well, we wish it were as easy as a one, two step, but pivoting in the face of a global pandemic has had many of us tripping over our own feet. Fortunately for Actua’s community of partners and youth, fostering ingenuity and innovation is what we do best.
According to the UN, the world's population is expected to increase by 2 billion people in the next 30 years. As a result, now more than ever, it's imperative we explore innovative solutions to increase the efficiency, equitability and sustainability of our food systems. Luckily, these solutions are in arms reach, using the power of STEM.
How do youth become future-ready? We think there is a lot to be said for meaningful work experiences while studying (often called work-integrated learning).
Actua is heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic discovery of 215 children on the grounds of a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. This is and should be a time for national grieving. But grieving alone is not enough. Reconciliation requires unrelenting action.
Now, more than ever, accessibility requires innovation. Despite the pandemic’s many setbacks, Actua’s network members have found innovative and meaningful ways to deliver STEM programs to youth with disabilities. Here are just a few examples.
Actua hosted its first-ever IDEAS Summit on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity (EDI) and Access in STEM. The IDEAS Summit welcomed over 400 educators from across Canada interested in equity and allyship, anti-racism in STEM, Indigenous STEM education and inclusive activities in maker and coding education. Here are our takeaways.
Inclusive education ensures all students feel safe and supported to learn, explore new ideas and freely express their opinions. We explore three common myths about diversity and inclusivity in STEM classrooms and debunk them to empower all educators to deliver inclusive education.
Employees now need a well-rounded set of hard and soft skills to succeed in the workplace. STEM education can help foster the skills needed to help us adopt new technologies and adapt to changing environments. Betsey Chung, Global Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at TD Bank Group is a leading example of the value of a diverse skill set and how it can benefit one’s career. Learn more about her career path in her conversation with Actua's CEO, Jennifer Flanagan.
The Suncor Energy Foundation is one of Actua’s longest-standing partners and has been at the heart of InSTEM program. For over 15 years, the Suncor Energy Foundation has helped us improve high school graduation rates among Indigenous students and create opportunities for Indigenous youth in the future workforce.
On International Women’s Day, we want to recognize some of the SHEroes who have been breaking down barriers and paving the way for young women and girls in STEM for years.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and highlighted an array of underlying weaknesses in Canada's economy. Many business leaders say that technology holds the key to an innovative recovery. But, while technology may play a critical role in our post-pandemic world, there remains a significant problem threatening the potential of its workforce - the persistent and widening gender gap.
For many Black students, there are few people in STEM who look like them to turn to for inspiration and even fewer programs that reflect their lived experience and connect them with peers. Learn about how two of Actua Network Members identified this gap and created programs that hope to pave the way for more Black youth in Canada to pursue STEM.
For far too long, women and girls have been underrepresented in STEM. Only one in four computer science undergrads in Canada identify as female. This underrepresentation means computer science — and society-at-large — risks losing women’s perspectives and contributions. So, how do we inspire more girls and young women to fulfill a critical role in STEM?
Youth have been online more than ever due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. This has forced youth to learn, socialize and connect from within the confines of their home. But how to keep them safe online?
This month, Actua joins Canadians across the country celebrating Black History Month. On behalf of everyone at Actua, I would like to recognize the many contributions and achievements Black Canadians have made throughout our history and across our country to advance innovation in STEM.
Today, on National Indigenous People’s Day, I’m happy to have Doug Dokis, Director of Actua’s National Indigenous Youth in STEM program share his first hand account of the tremendous growth and impact that Actua’s InSTEM program has had across Canada.
COVID-19 is everything right now, but what will happen when it isn’t? What will our country look like on the other side? While so much of this pandemic is outside of our control, we have a unique opportunity to decide what happens next
Actua has put together a list of fun and engaging at-home STEM activities to do with kids during school and daycare closures
In April 2019, the Future Skills Centre announced support for Actua’s Indigenous Youth in STEM for-credit programs in Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Northern Alberta. This program is also supported by our corporate sector partners Suncor Energy Foundation and Imperial. I had the pleasure of hearing from participants Jordan Zenhenko and Ethan Boyer (post to come), about their experiences.
Learn about how our network member Geering Up at the University of British Columbia is bringing AI into classrooms.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Riya Mehta at Move the Dial Global Summit in Toronto, Ontario. I was absolutely blown away by everything she is doing in STEM at the young age of 16. While her experience is unique, she is a great example of how youth truly are today’s leaders of innovation, and as she attests, “age is just a number.”
Last week I was invited to speak on a panel at RBC’s annual investor forum where they provide their clients with thought provoking information about current issues and trends that influence their businesses. This year’s theme was Resiliency in Times
In the lead up to International Woman’s Day 2019, I invited Actua’s Youth Council for a casual dinner and meaningful conversation. Together we shared personal stories and thoughts related to International Women’s Day with the goal of shining light o
In this second briefing on our Coding the Future survey, we take a closer look at the impact of household income on coding and digital technology attitudes and opportunities. The results are discouraging. While young Canadians’ interest in coding and
Results from Actua's survey Coding the Future: What Canadian youth and their parents thinking about coding
Here are some of the best tricks and tips for parents to help keep your kids safe online!
Today the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development announced that Actua will receive $10 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s new CanCode program.
On International Day of the Girl I can’t help but get excited about the overwhelming number of positive messages on social media using #dayofthegirl, as well as the Government of Canada, Status of Women-led campaign #ClaimYourPlace. It is incredibly
A Canada 150 Signature project, CanadaC3 is a 150 expedition from Toronto to Victoria via the Northwest Passage. Tracy Ross is on board Leg 4 of CanadaC3 representing Actua, Canada’s largest STEM outreach organization.
Today is National Indigenous People’s Day, and this year, more than ever, we reflect on our work and how we are doing as an organization truly committed to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on education for Indigenous you
This years’ Kivalliq Teacher’s Conference was hosted at Maani Ulujuk High School where Actua’s Outreach team engaged K-12 teachers in STEM & digital literacy content inspired by the local community.
We hear it from youth all the time, “math is hard” or worse “I hate math.” These feelings toward math have contributed to youth disengagement in numeracy and usually arise from intimidation. This intimidation is largely due to that fact that the vast
The Government of Canada’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, created to bring fresh ideas on how to grow Canada’s economy in the long term, has come out with its first report. With it comes an important national discussion on where Canada is inves
I have heard the young voices of STEM in Canada and their words are clear and impressive. Recently, Actua facilitated a roundtable event at Shaw Communications’ Corporate office in Ottawa to help inform the federal government on why youth and Canada’
Hello, my name is Vanessa! I am the founder and director of The Math Guru, a boutique math and science tutoring studio in Toronto which I started almost five years ago. My goal? To make everyone finally understand that the only thing standing in thei
Today, on National Aboriginal Day, the Actua Board of Directors affirms its support and commitment to the “call to actions” outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.
Today the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development with the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, and the the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, announced six areas f
Actua goes to great lengths to bring hands-on science and technology experiences to all Canadian youth and this spring I was lucky enough to travel to Igloolik, Nunavut to do just that. I’ve been to every Canadian province but this was my first time
This week, The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, partnered with Actua, its network member at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Engineering, Ladies Learning Code, and Google to present Code on the Hill
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” - Jane Goodall