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.
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.
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.
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
It's Safer Internet Day and 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
The Liberal government’s first budget was tabled yesterday, and it came with a clear message: In Budget 2016 the government is defining a new vision for Canada’s economy: to build Canada as a centre of global innovation.
Today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced that Actua will be one of four organizations receiving a significant grant to support an unprecendented national innovation tour in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.
International Women's Day - A message from Actua, CEO Jennifer Flanagan
After the amazing success of our first annual STEM gift guide last year, we decided to focus this year's guide on technology gifts.
Youth in Canada are incredibly enthusiastic when it comes to using new technology. Their day-to-day engagement seems natural and effortless, leading many to believe that youth are experts in all things digital; that they embody the term...
What I learned from my daughter's week at computer camp. It turns out kids aren’t the only ones who have something to learn from summer day camp. Please sit back and get comfortable so that I can throw myself under the bus for your reading pleasure.
Summer is an important time in Canada. It’s those two to three precious months we Canadians have to book off time to be outdoors, at cottages, travelling, spending time with the kids while out of school, and our friends on a patio.
There are many times I’m reminded of how meaningful it is to work at Actua, but today was special. Today I had the opportunity to spend time with the people who directly inspire youth through Actua’s programming; our Outreach Team Instructors.
The Council of Canadian Academies today launched their most recent report Some Assembly Required: STEM Skills and Canada’s Economic Productivity outlining Canada’s preparedness in meeting the future skill requirements.
Sixteen years ago I sat on a plane headed for Baker Lake. It was my first trip to the Arctic. My first visit to Nunavut. I knew that trip would be memorable.
This is the coolest thing I’ve ever heard!” That was Nelson Tagoona’s reaction this morning when he heard the Nakasuk Elementary school’s throat singing club using audio-based coding tools to remix their voices.
Actua’s network members and Outreach Team travel far and wide each year engaging more than 225,000 youth in 500 communities across every province and territory in dynamic transformational.
What is the science behind perfect gift giving? The team at Actua was determined to find out! We put our heads together and came up with a curated periodic table of our favourite gifts for all the curious and creative minds on your list.
Hannah Johnston and Frank Bouchard exemplify perfectly the possibilities created when young people are given the tools to create ideas, innovate, experiment, learn and grow.
Today is a big day for Actua. Joining Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google and participants from one of Actua’s local member programs, we announced a 3-year, $1.5 million project, powered by a grant from Google.org.