While the employees at Acuitas had awareness of Science World—“Many of our scientists played there as children!” she says—few knew about the outreach programs that extend beyond the dome and across BC.
Abi and Tom listened as Tracy described the impact of these programs, designed by education experts to inspire today’s young learners to see themselves as innovators and entrepreneurs with the capacity to access all the powers of STEAM.
“Tom and I looked at each other and said, ‘We've got to support this.’ We literally ran up to Tracy when she finished and told her, ‘We want to help. How can we help?’ And it's been a brilliant relationship ever since.”
Bright Future
Soon after that evening on the Green Roof, Science World presented a selection of programs to Acuitas. Employees chose which to support by popular vote across the entire organization. Abi says the diverse and 50/50 gender-balanced staff made selections based on their own experiences and values.
Today, Acuitas is the Presenting Partner of our afterschool program for teens, Future Science Leaders (FSL). For 12 years, FSL has connected passionate high school students with diverse STEAM experts and leaders who facilitate innovative learning and advanced skills-building, preparing them for success at university and beyond.
Acuitas also supports Super Science Club and Girls and STEAM, programs that reach underserved communities with free science experiences, resources and mentorship.
In the first year of the partnership, many Acuitas employees have volunteered or attended program sessions, which Abi says has had a surprising effect.
“Science World has actually reignited a curiosity in our staff. They come back full of inspiration and enthusiasm and wanting to push further. We can get bogged down in the day-to-day, and the seriousness of the work we do at Acuitas. And Science World has sparked our desire to teach, and to bring more people into the sciences.”
Abi herself participated in Future Science Leaders when she took on the role of “dragon” and fielded business pitches from participants in the program’s version of Dragon’s Den.
“I was so impressed with the quality of the presentations and the brilliance of their ideas,” she shares. “To see first-hand how they're learning to use science to innovate toward solutions. Those teens are going to make the world a better place.”
