On August 5, 2014, the Black Engagement Civic Action Network (BECAN) launched, in partnership with the University of Ottawa, a pilot summer camp that saw seven children, ages seven to 13 from the African, Caribbean, Black and Coloured Community enrolled in what they are call the “Afro-Futurist Program.
The Afro-Futurist Program is for youth between the ages of seven to 18 yrs. The program is to encourage the development of the next generation of African, Caribbean, Black and Coloured scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians required to build excellence in Canada’s knowledge-based economy through innovation, entrepreneurship and problem solving.
Elaine Hayles, the Co-ordinator for BECAN worked with the University of Ottawa’s Adventures in Engineering and Science (AES) to organize the camp, which ran from August 5 to 8, 2014, at the Site Building, 800 King Edward Street. BECAN’s Afro-Futurist Program is a sponsored program and through several members of the community, donating: Isaac Brown, Lisa Basudde, Cheyenne Wells, Natty and Yochbed Mulualem, and William R. and Ramsey.W. Lamarre, participated in the program.
AES is an award-winning bilingual, educational program committed to introducing young minds to the wonders and merits of science, engineering and technology. The program seeks to introduce and encourage an interest in science, engineering and technology in young people by providing them with an exciting and positive experience. The university exposes children to abundant resources and laboratories that enrich every child’s learning experience. The program is not intended to convert all youth into future scientist and engineers; it exists in order to prevent the intimidation which often occurs towards science and engineering at a young age. Both BECAN’s Afro-Futurist Program and Ottawa University’s Adventures in Engineering and Science aspire to give young people the choice of pursuing a career in science, engineering or technology by allowing them to make informed, educated choices and not ones made out of fear of the unknown. For further information about the camp please visit BECAN’s website at www.be-can.org or contact Elaine Hayles at 613-260-1772.
Submitted by Harvey Brown
