07 October 2024

Empowering the next generation: The success of iScientist and the path to CIM CONNECT 2025

The iScientist program, launched at the CIM CONNECT convention in 2022, is an innovative approach to science education. Designed to inspire curiosity and hands-on learning, it encourages students to engage in original scientific inquiry. Since June 2023, the program has expanded across Canada.

For more on how the iScientist program works, read: iScientist program: giving young people the skills needed to thrive in an uncertain world.

Latest update

Doris Hiam-Galvez of Hatch and neuroscientist Beau Lotto launched the iScientist program at the 2022 CIM CONNECT Convention + Expo. This new and interactive approach to science education received tremendous support from the mining industry during its introduction, and since then, the results have been transformative.

In the months after the convention, we released a white paper outlining the program’s goals and key insights from the participant surveys we conducted at the time. Now, as we approach CIM CONNECT 2025, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate the strides made in science education and the impact we've achieved.

Since June 2023, iScientist has successfully reached elementary and high schools across Canada. The program has inspired both teachers and students alike, with feedback showing a positive shift in how science is perceived and experienced.

Impact highlights:

Teachers saw unprecedented levels of student participation, with one student saying, "I’d like to take with me the courage I gained from this experience."

The program has ignited a passion for science, empowering students to embrace the role of scientists by conducting original experiments, asking insightful questions, and sharing their discoveries. Teachers and students alike have learned to dive into the scientific process with curiosity and courage.

iScientist is now making its mark internationally, with successful applications in Australia, Ukraine, Spain, and upcoming plans in the UK. The program is now accessible to teachers globally through virtual tools, allowing educators from anywhere to inspire the next generation of scientists.

As we head towards CIM CONNECT 2025, let’s celebrate this remarkable achievement and continue supporting the growth of science education for young minds, driven by our industry’s commitment to supporting the power of experiential learning.