Enhance and support existing efforts to address health inequities by diversifying our student population in the sciences and health professions

Mission Statement:

Promote interest in science and facilitate access to health careers for disadvantaged youth.

Guiding Principles:

1. Learning in an inclusive and culturally sensitive manner to avoid further stigmatization and isolation.
2. Recognize and value primary, middle, and high school teachers as important and critical partners in realizing our vision.
3. Provide teachers, teaching assistants and technicians with continuous professional and personal development, where they can learn and share the best teaching practices;
4. Provide teachers, teaching assistants and technicians with hands-on activities, and allow them to experiment with the latest innovations and new technologies that can revitalize their science teaching; and
5. Inspire teachers, teaching assistants and technicians to provide leadership in science by connecting to their communities.
6. Learning should involve parents and the community not just youth and teachers.  
7. Encourage youth to play an active role in their communities by using learning to transform their lives.

The BYP develops and delivers several community-based and outreach projects:

1. Head Start Aboriginal Science Project - This project specifically targets Aboriginal kids in Grade 1-3 in Winnipeg’s North end, so that they can develop an interest and engage in science at an early age.

2. Science Buddies - Science Buddies are after-school science clubs open to all youth interested in science. The clubs engage grade 4-12 students in creative thinking and problem solving by providing the opportunity for hands-on activities designed to enhance the Manitoba science curriculum.

3. Annual Summer Camp - The Annual Youth Summer Camp is a 5-day, free of charge camp for grade 5-12 students,  organized at several locations in the city, including the University of Manitoba, Bannatyne Campus and Winnipeg’s North End - at Niji Mahkwa School. The camps provide the opportunity for hands-on activities ranging from cell culture to blood typing. The first camp in 2006 hosted 15 youth participants and has grown to over 220 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students today.

4. Mentoring - In partnership with local science organizations and universities, several volunteers have been recruited to mentor students from grades 5-12 for science fair projects and exhibitions.

5. Inner City Science Centre - Another key component of the BYP is the Inner City Science Centre at Niji Mahkwa School, 450 Flora Avenue, that brings high-end science resources directly to the community it serves. Rather than bringing equipment to the community for an hour and then leaving, the Centre creates a lasting opportunity for academic enhancement right in the school. By being a permanent, long-term fixture in the community, the Centre is a hub for increasing awareness among students and parents about career opportunities in the science and medical fields and offers mentoring and research apprenticeships at a critical early age.

6. Learning and Leading in Science Education for Educators (Teachers) - The BYP has organized and delivered several workshops and seminars for the continuous professional development in hands-on science for primary, middle, and high school teachers.