  {"id":34261,"date":"2024-03-28T15:10:24","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T19:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/its-cuthemedev1.carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/?post_type=cu_story&#038;p=34261"},"modified":"2025-03-24T15:29:05","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T19:29:05","slug":"30-years-of-virtual-ventures-stem-camps","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/story\/30-years-of-virtual-ventures-stem-camps\/","title":{"rendered":"杏吧原创 Celebrates 30 Years of Virtual Ventures STEM camps for Canadian youth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n                    \n<section class=\"w-screen px-6 cu-section cu-section--white ml-offset-center md:px-8 lg:px-14\">\n    <div class=\"space-y-6 cu-max-w-child-max  md:space-y-10 cu-prose-first-last\">\n\n        \n                    \n                    \n            \n    <div class=\"cu-wideimage relative flex items-center justify-center mx-auto px-8 overflow-hidden md:px-16 rounded-xl not-prose  my-6 md:my-12 first:mt-0 bg-opacity-50 bg-cover bg-cu-black-50 py-24 md:py-28 lg:py-36 xl:py-48\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/Virtual-Ventures-Photo-Collages-30th-Year-Timeline-1.png); background-position: 50% 50%;\">\n\n                    <div class=\"absolute top-0 w-full h-screen\" style=\"background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.600);\"><\/div>\n        \n        <div class=\"relative z-[2] max-w-4xl w-full flex flex-col items-center gap-2 cu-wideimage-image cu-zero-first-last\">\n            <header class=\"mx-auto mb-6 text-center text-white cu-pageheader cu-component-updated cu-pageheader--center md:mb-12\">\n\n                                    <h1 class=\"cu-prose-first-last font-semibold mb-2 text-3xl md:text-4xl lg:text-5xl lg:leading-[3.5rem] cu-pageheader--center text-center mx-auto after:left-px\">\n                        杏吧原创 Celebrates 30 Years of Virtual Ventures STEM camps for Canadian youth\n                    <\/h1>\n                \n                            <\/header>\n        <\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    \n\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n                        \n                        <h2 id=\"the-award-winning-program-has-inspired-hundreds-of-thousands-of-youths-and-kids-to-explore-the-possibilities-of-stem\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The award-winning program has inspired hundreds of thousands of youths and kids to explore the possibilities of STEM <\/h2>\n                        \n                        \n                        <p><em class=\"myprefix-text-italic\">Christine Scholman<\/em><\/p>\n                        \n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A dream and a team of four engineering students. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That\u2019s what it took to start <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/\">Virtual Ventures, the award-winning not-for-profit organization<\/a> run under 杏吧原创 University\u2019s Faculty of Engineering and Design. Virtual Ventures is also a network member of Actua. This year, we\u2019re celebrating the organization\u2019s 30<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> anniversary, and are reflecting on the past three decades of accomplishments. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Go back in time and explore each decades\u2019 milestones and memories\u2014including pivotal events and highlights from staff, campers and alumni:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"u-block u-block--full\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.knightlab.com\/libs\/timeline3\/latest\/embed\/index.html?source=12xQlqXLFPEEjLg1N5CjxddEQw1iZkP6UHzVDzoymcnU&amp;font=Georgia-Helvetica&amp;lang=en&amp;initial_zoom=1&amp;height=650\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"u-block u-block--white\">\n<div class=\"u-width-small\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Ready, Set&#8230; Launch! Humble Beginnings:<\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Virtual Ventures was tremendously influential in Charlie Younghusband\u2019s life, one of the non-profit&#8217;s co-founders, who had suggested the name \u2018Virtual Ventures\u2019 back in 1994.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c[The program] is a wonderful opportunity [for youth and kids] to explore STEM outside of the fixed environment and dynamics they may experience at school,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was very meaningful for my kids to attend the camp multiple times many years later and to see evolution of the camp.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In the summer of 1994, Virtual Ventures welcomed over 150 youth to its first camp\u2014a successful start. To keep the momentum going, Younghusband wanted to bring in a well-known speaker to drum up excitement for next year\u2019s programming. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To his surprise, Microsoft\u2019s CEO, Bill Gates, happily accepted the speaker invitation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter wp-image-34344 size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/Charlie-Younghusband.jpg\" alt=\"Virtual Ventures presenting a t-shirt to Bill Gates in 1995.\" class=\"wp-image-34344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/Charlie-Younghusband.jpg 640w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/Charlie-Younghusband-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/Charlie-Younghusband-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/Charlie-Younghusband-200x150.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Charlie Younghusband, one of Virtual Ventures&#8217; co-founders, presenting a Virtual Ventures t-shirt to Bill Gates in 1995. Photo credit: Younghusband.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;Attracting Bill Gates, by far the best-known leader in technology at the time, for a visit and speech at the camp was huge and put Virtual Ventures on the map permanently,\u201d said Younghusband. \u201cThe camp exceeded attendance expectations, and unfortunately, we could only find a small size left to give him!&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over the next 30 years, every Virtual Ventures volunteer, staff and instructor passed the torch to the next generation of program leaders. The momentum kept growing, as each new leader adopts the heart and mission of the original team.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"building-on-exponential-impact-and-growth\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Building on Exponential Impact and Growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Virtual Ventures has not only dared, but succeeded, in instilling a joy for lifelong learning and STEM in youth across Canada and multiple generations, <a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/news\/\">winning the non-profit countless awards and media attention<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In its first decade of operation (1994-2004), summer camps reached approximately 4,000 youth. These numbers quickly quadrupled in the next ten years in 2004-2014, to 17,000. In 2014-2024, the growth was exponential yet again, and the number of youth reached through STEM-related programming nearly quadrupled to 63,000.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What started as a singular camp program quickly split off into a junior and senior program in 1996 to include ages 6 to 9, which saw camp registration numbers quadruple.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Two years later, grade-level specific programs were introduced: Explorers, Nybbles, Internauts and Innovators\u2014most of which are still running to this day.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe had an agreement with science stores to get a weekly supply of liquid nitrogen for science demos,\u201d said Patrick Gavigan, who went from camper in 1998 to staff in 2001-2003 for the Nybbles and Terrabytes camps. \u201cWe used it primarily to make ice cream and flash-freeze fruit and balloons, but we also once did pop bottle egg rockets. The idea was to protect the egg on top of the rocket.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe learned the hard way to be careful where we aimed the rockets&#8230;after we accidentally ended up egging the Mackenzie Building. Oops!&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter wp-image-34346 size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Engineer Jr Campers 2019 - Pop Bottle Rockets\" class=\"wp-image-34346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/EngJrWeek1_2019-150-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Campers at Engineering Junior Camp in 2019 designed aerodynamic fins and nose cones on their their pop bottle rockets, which are then tested and launched into the air. The rocket launch test is arguable the most memorable part of the experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The 2000s were marked by the creation of additional specialty and theme-based summer camps, such as \u201cGO\u201d (Girls Outreach), Game Programming Camp, Lego Camp and&nbsp;Engineering Camp.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;One of my fondest memories of Virtual Ventures was when I was a Girls Camp Instructor,\u201d said Kelsey Doerksen, Virtual Ventures\u2019 first year-round student hire in 2015.&nbsp;\u201cIt was genuinely such a joy to come to work and teach the most energetic and passionate group of girls about science.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI learned so much from each camper, and my time [at Virtual Ventures] has definitely influenced my career\u2014where I am now working at UNICEF to support digital education infrastructure.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Presently, Virtual Ventures offers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/summercamps\/types\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">a wide variety of summer camp options<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> for grades K-8. From age-specific STEM camps to specialty and all-girls camps\u2014there&#8217;s something for all youth to experience the joy, creativity and unique possibilities of hands-on engineering challenges, technology and coding design and science experiments.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"reaching-the-next-generation-of-leaders\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reaching the Next Generation of Leaders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-34347\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Virtual Ventures - Discovery Day\" class=\"wp-image-34347\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/2023-events-2-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Campers creating DIY Lava lamps at STEM Discovery Day event in 2023.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With summer camp registrations and programming bursting at the seams, the Virtual Ventures team expanded programming to year-round events, clubs and leadership programs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In 2017, th<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e team decided it was time to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/story\/vv-wins-actua-2022-go-where-kids-are-award\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">go where the kids are.<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> They launched the award-winning <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bgcottawa.org\/programs\/linked\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Linked&gt; program<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> in collaboration with Shopify and BGC (Boys and Girls Club) Ottawa for underprivileged youth.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They then ventured forward and successfully pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/story\/virtual-ventures-shopify-support-stem\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">provide nation-wide digital STEM education and online programming.<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In 2022, sky<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rocketing interest came from primary and secondary <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">schools and teachers across the city&nbsp;interested in STEM workshops and classroom visits. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/teachers\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">School workshops are free<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, designed adjacent to the Ontario curriculum and focus on building digital skills, engineering challenges and being safe online.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In 2023 alone, over 17,000 youth across Canada accessed Virtual Ventures\u2019 STEM programming. A growing demographic of youth reached in the last decade is high-school aged youth, through professional development programs and classroom workshops.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/teachers\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Workshops and programs for high school students<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> provide STEM education, information around 杏吧原创 programs, career discovery and connect students with members from the Faculty of Engineering and Design\u2019s Engagement team.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key Highlights From 2023:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">16,138 of the youth were reached through free programming (which accounts for 93% of programming).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">STEM school workshops maxed out at 600 classes across Ottawa and Kingston.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"6\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over 53% of participants are gender minorities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-next-10-years-trending-towards-stems-future-is-bright\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Next 10 Years? Trending Towards: \u201cSTEM\u2019s Future is Bright!\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Even as programming continues to evolve and grow, Virtual Ventures\u2019 DNA has remained the same.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe\u2019re dreaming big for the next few years,\u201d said Kyra Bloomfield, Virtual Ventures\u2019 current Program Director. \u201cWe\u2019ll be focusing on creating more tailored programs and working collaboratively with industry, government and community leaders in Ottawa to provide even greater support and opportunities for the youth we work with.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The focus on high school-aged youth paves the way for a well-rounded, holistic approach to lifelong learning and development. Virtual Ventures <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has become a development pipeline to help students transition into post-secondary education and a lifelong passion for STEM.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large wp-image-34348\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-1400x933.jpg\" alt=\"Virtual Ventures - Leadership STEM \" class=\"wp-image-34348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-1400x933.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/63\/IMG_9768-1-200x133.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two &#8216;Leadership in STEM&#8217; club attendees from the 2023 event. The last day included a photoshoot and resume writing workshop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In 2024, the Virtual Ventures team anticipates reaching upwards of 20,000 youth through existing initiatives and new programs. By equipping the next generation of leaders,&nbsp;youth learn valuable STEM knowledge and leadership skills that they can bring with them into any industry or field.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Exciting developments are in the works, including building a network of teachers across the city dedicated to STEM education, the official launch of&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/black-youth-instem\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Black Youth in STEM programming<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/instem\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Indigenous Youth in STEM<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> outreach and providing all-girls <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/vv\/girls\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">programs and workshops.<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And as for the quality of Virtual Ventures\u2019 programming, this heartwarming fact speaks for itself:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"not-prose cu-quote cu-component-spacing\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cA lot of our campers and attendees come back hoping to work with us in the summer or to complete their high school volunteer hours with us,\u201d said Bloomfield. \u201cWe love to see the number of students interested in our jobs. It\u2019s very common to receive at least 100 applications every time we post a job. We\u2019re lucky that we get to hire incredible students and staff members.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So, what will the next decade bring?&nbsp;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the beating heart of an organization founded in 1994 will continue to inspire a legacy and passion in youth for STEM across this city, nation and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The award-winning program has inspired hundreds of thousands of youths and kids to explore the possibilities of STEM Christine Scholman A dream and a team of four engineering students. That\u2019s what it took to start Virtual Ventures, the award-winning not-for-profit organization run under 杏吧原创 University\u2019s Faculty of Engineering and Design. Virtual Ventures is also a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":34344,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"cu_story_type":[193,200,207,346,314],"cu_story_tag":[],"class_list":["post-34261","cu_story","type-cu_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","cu_story_type-feature-stories","cu_story_type-industry-collaboration","cu_story_type-interdisciplinary","cu_story_type-virtual-ventures","cu_story_type-youth-outreach"],"acf":{"cu_post_thumbnail":"blueprint"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/34261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/cu_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/34261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35655,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story\/34261\/revisions\/35655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"cu_story_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_type?post=34261"},{"taxonomy":"cu_story_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cu_story_tag?post=34261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}