Underrepresented
Youth in STEM
The NeuroVertis Centre’s Technology Destination (TD) is proposing a three-year plan to expand its STEM programs for students in grades K7-K12. The goal is to reach and inspire 800-1000 young students annually, with a focus on technology, innovation, and discovery in the National Capital Region (Ottawa, Orleans, Gatineau). We are now looking to expand in Montreal and Laval. The workshops sessions, clubs, summer camps, mobile team, all provide hands-on coding and technology experiences for underrepresented youth aged 12 to 18. The NeuroVertis Centre (NVC) programming offers technology exposure often unavailable in public schools and are evolving to include advanced activities like robotics, drones, and AI, with many participants reporting that these sessions motivate them to pursue careers in IT and engineering.
The program, which naturally attracts girls and boys in similar numbers, emphasizes interdisciplinary creativity, building skills such as script writing, mechanism design, programming, voice acting, electrical engineering. NVC is proposing to bring this program to underrepresented groups, communities, specifically targeting newcomers, girls, black youth, low income communities. NVC offers a range of programs, including after-school activities, summer camps, mentorship programs, and workshops. It has a strong history of partnering with industry, academic, and community partners to increase access to STEM education for underserved populations.
through coding, robotics, and
technology programs.
AI, and creative engineering for
grades 7–12 (ages 12–18)—with
programs accessible to youth 7–18.
The NVC is an Ontario-based non-profit organization that provides inclusive and equitable STEM programs for underrepresented youth in grades 7 to 12. Founded six years ago by four friends (IT engineers, William & Prince Mulongo), education science (Tina Murielle), and human resources, project management and counselling (Daddy Mavinga), the organization’s mission is to remove barriers and empower young people in digital technology and STEM skills. NVC has built a strong reputation and a history of successful partnerships with industry, academic, and community partners. These collaborations have helped bridge the gap in access to STEM education for underserved populations. The leadership team consists of five staff members today who handle executive leadership (Daddy), partnerships (Tina), program development (Williams & Prince), and marketing (Jonathan Maurice). Daddy Mavinga, a co-founder and Executive Director, is responsible for the coordination the program. NTC is requiring all new employees to complete Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) training to support their understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. NVC is also relying on science and technology undergraduate students, as well as a pool of trained volunteers, who reflect the demographic of the target audience. Teams are well trained: safety, first aid, cultural awareness, bias awareness, classroom management.
Since our founding in 2019, NVC has grown steadily (National Capital Region) in the number and versatility of programs. We have provided outreach to over 3,800 youth in Ontario and Quebec, spent over 36,000 hours on STEM learning. Our programs are sustainable, ongoing, and activities are increasing, requiring to upgrade our delivery teams. Our team actively participates in public speaking and networking to share our impact and support STEM advocacy, and serves as panelists at conferences, collaborates with sister organizations to share best practices in STEM. NVC is now expanding to other geographic areas (ON & QC).
Our goal is to ignite motivation and interest in STEM among middle-school-aged students, encouraging them to pursue STEM studies and careers. After attending our camps, many students express their excitement about pursuing “STEM” in college or university.
NVC uses a multi-platform approach to amplify its voice and advocate for STEM education. We engage with a broad audience through our social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok. Our digital content promotes STEM initiatives, advocates for change, and celebrates student achievements both within and outside our programs. To further our mission, we are currently developing new digital resources: a YouTube channel to engage youth with relatable STEM content; a blog to provide parents and teachers with valuable STEM resources and share success stories.
- Program objectives: objectives consistent with those of PromoScience
This project aligns with PromoScience’s objectives to work with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science and engineering (including mathematics and technology) and motivate them, through interactive, hands-on experience, to pursue STEM studies and careers. The NVC team and mobile group offer interactive, hands-on STEM programs for K7-K12 students. Program activities complement and support the students’ regular school curriculum, making learning both fun and practical. NVC’s key objectives are to:
- Capture Imagination: Inspire youth with science and technology through engaging activities that go beyond the typical classroom experience.
- Serve Underrepresented Youth: Address the learning needs of underrepresented youth by bringing programs directly to their communities. Focus groups include girls, Black youth, children with disabilities, students from low-income families
- Build Confidence: Give all children the confidence and desire to succeed in their school science and technology curricula.
- Increase Post-Secondary Access: Break down barriers to higher education by providing youth with the opportunity to experience a college or university campus
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