Brandon University’s Mini University program is increasing hands-on science and expertise studying alternatives for youth and academics throughout Western Manitoba because of new federal funding through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) PromoScience program.
Mini U has been awarded $153,000 over three years by means of the NSERC PromoScience program to determine a brand new STEM Lending Library that may present Ok–8 educators with entry to hands-on science, expertise, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM) studying gear and sources. The funding contains $51,000 yearly from 2026–28, with Brandon University contributing an extra $4,000 per 12 months towards the initiative.
“We are incredibly grateful to NSERC PromoScience for supporting Mini U’s new STEM Lending Library,” stated Ivah Gallagher, Program Coordinator at Mini University. “This funding gives us the opportunity to help K–8 teachers bring more hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math experiences into their classrooms, especially at a time when Manitoba schools are engaging with a renewed science curriculum.”
The STEM Lending Library will permit academics all through Brandon and the Westman area to borrow gear and classroom kits designed to assist Manitoba’s renewed science curriculum and improve pupil engagement in STEM topics.
“Mini U has always been about sparking curiosity in young learners, and this project allows us to extend that mission beyond our summer camp and into classrooms across Brandon and the Westman area,” Gallagher stated. “We are also excited that this equipment will enrich our own summer programming, giving Mini U campers even more hands-on opportunities to explore, build, test, and discover.”
Current plans for the STEM Lending Library embody robotics units, microscopes, cardboard building instruments, electronics kits, and different STEM manipulatives. Equipment might be added all through the three-year grant interval, with academics serving to form future purchases by means of ongoing suggestions and wishlist requests.
Mini U expects the primary lending kits to be out there for borrowing starting in September 2026.
The initiative builds on Mini U’s longstanding dedication to STEM outreach and accessible academic programming. Founded in 1984, Mini U has served more than 25,000 youngsters and youth by means of summer time camps, subject journeys, and year-round academic programming.
The lending library is predicted to achieve a whole bunch of Ok–8 school rooms and affect roughly 14,500 college students over the three-year funding interval, whereas additionally supporting the skilled improvement of practically 1,000 skilled and pre-service academics.
The new lending library may also assist Mini U’s personal programming, together with summer time camps, subject journeys, instructor skilled improvement periods, and outreach initiatives targeted on Indigenous youth, Black youth, women in STEM, and rural learners.
“Mini U has a long history of making STEM education engaging, accessible, and fun for young people across Western Manitoba,” stated Katie Whelpton, Dean of Students at Brandon University. “This investment will help ensure that students and teachers, particularly in rural and underserved communities, have access to the tools and experiences that can spark lifelong interest in science and technology.”
The NSERC PromoScience program helps organizations throughout Canada that encourage younger Canadians to discover science and engineering by means of hands-on studying experiences.
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