$81,800 OTF Seed Grant Inspires Community Engaged Adult STEAM Learning

St. Thomas, ON - On Monday, local MPP Rob Flack met with the team at the STEAM Education Centre to celebrate an $81,800 Seed grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation. The grant has helped establish a community-engaged STEAM learning program for local adult learners, Indigenous and equity-deserving community members and newcomers.
“This investment is strengthening our community by giving people the chance to learn from one another, build new skills, and connect in meaningful ways,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin—Middlesex—London. “The STEAM Education Centre does amazing work and what impresses me most is how this program brings together seniors, newcomers, students, and local partners who can share knowledge across generations and backgrounds. That’s the foundation of a strong community.”
Through hands-on learning with STEAM (science, technology, engineering,art design, math) skills, STEAM Education Centre staff worked with community members and adult students from Western University to design and paint a mural now showcased at the Backus-Page House museum in Wallacetown. This grant also allowed for the building of partnerships with the Alzheimer Society, St Thomas Public Library and Settlement Services with YWCA St Thomas-Elgin. These partnerships resulted in the delivery of a series of workshops for developing skills with seniors and newcomers on 3D design, Robotics, Arduino electronics and Stop Motion movie making.
“We are profoundly grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its support. This Seed Grant enabled us to go out into the community to share STEAM as a philosophy and practical approach to making things happen. It demonstrated that giving people the opportunity to find the courage to try and create is the first crucial step. Witnessing the genuine enthusiasm, resilience and sheer joy in every session was inspiring. By sparking ingenuity and curiosity in every learner, we are not only empowering them to confidently solve problems but are actively building a more connected, innovative future for everyone,” Fred Cahill, Executive and Education Director STEAM Education Centre

STEAM Education Centre’s mission is to empower learners to imagine and create the future through play, ingenuity and innovation using science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). In doing so, the Centre delivers a comprehensive educational model focused on developing the flexibility, creativity and problem-solving necessary to explore ideas and foster growth. www.steameducation.ca

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly
$105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance
economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide
spaces for people to come together and connect and create a more sustainable environment.
Visit otf.ca to learn more.


For further information, please contact
Denise Love
Programs and Fundraising Director
STEAM Education Centre
denise@steameducation.ca
226-212-0048