The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development:

Youth Innovation Awards

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to highlight an initiative that engages youth in innovative activities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

In December of last year, the Provincial Government invited proposals for projects that support and promote youth innovation and contribute to valuable learning experiences for our province’s students in grades K-12 and those enrolled in our post-secondary institutions. These projects relate to science, technology and engineering and identify opportunities in a number of strategic sectors, such as digital media, ocean technology and the green economy.

Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to announce that we received a significant number of Youth Innovation Project proposals, all of which reflected our goal of creating awareness among youth of the tremendous opportunities that exist in our province. And I am very pleased to announce our government has invested over $422,000 in support of 24 projects under this initiative.

This morning, I had the opportunity to visit Hazelwood Elementary, one of the schools which will benefit through this initiative. Students at Hazelwood will be introduced to learning technologies that will enhance core-curriculum leaning for early learners through the use of iPads. Other schools which will receive funding include All Hallows Elementary, Amalgamated Academy, Beachy Cove Elementary, Brother Rice, Carbonear Collegiate, Fatima Academy, Holy Redeemer, Holy Trinity Elementary, Immaculate Conception , Mobile Central High, St Peter’s Elementary, Virginia Park Elementary, First Technology, Stephenville High (with Gonzaga, Ecole St. Anne, Queen Elizabeth Regional High, Exploits Valley High), Helen Tulk Elementary, New World Island Academy, St. Joseph’s Elementary, Heritage Collegiate, St. Mark’s, Peacock Primary, Humber Elementary, J.J. Curling, St. Anthony and Area Boys and Girls Club.

Mr. Speaker, since the initial call for proposals in 2009, the Provincial Government has invested close to $1.8 million in 104 projects that support youth innovation.

Mr. Speaker, our youth’s ability to find creative solutions, use leading-edge technologies and produce adaptive solutions is inspiring. Our government is committed to supporting youth who represent a bright future for Newfoundland and Labrador.

Thank you.

2013 05 09             1:50 p.m.