Let’s Talk Science receives $3.4 million from Hibernia to bring engaging science-based programs to youth across Newfoundland and Labrador

Let’s Talk Science, a national charitable organization and a leading partner in Canadian education, today announced a $3.4 million contribution from Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (“Hibernia”) to expand free learning programs to kindergarten through grade 12 youth and educators across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The contribution brings Hibernia’s total support of Let’s Talk Science to more than $7 million since 2011, benefitting 88 percent of schools across the province. Let’s Talk Science programs engage youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), raise awareness of and interest in STEM-based careers, and support educators with classroom resources.

“Through our support from Hibernia, we’ve been able to work closely with educators, school administrators and education partners across Newfoundland and Labrador to inspire youth through science, technology, engineering and math,” says Bonnie Schmidt, president and founder of Let’s Talk Science. “It’s essential that students engage in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that build their skills in problem-solving, information management, critical thinking and more. We are thrilled by the continued support from Hibernia that allows us to bring STEM learning to children and adolescents in every corner of the province.”

Let’s Talk Science programming focuses on the biology and physics of the world, from animals and insects to magnetic forces, as well as water sampling and testing, genetics, the science of flight, and entrepreneurial science. Let’s Talk Science also organizes science and engineering challenges whereby students work together in teams to design, create and test a variety of solutions using everyday materials.

“A key benefit of Let’s Talk Science is its broad reach across Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Scott Sandlin, president of Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. “Inspiring so many students early in their education can open up a number of opportunities not only for themselves, but ultimately the province through the contributions they will make throughout their careers once they’ve graduated.”

Sadie Sellars, manager of research and development for Hibernia, announced the contribution today at Memorial University during the Let’s Talk Science Challenge, a fun and engaging teambased event for students in grades 6-8 to inspire interest in STEM curricula. Approximately 150 students from across the province attended the event where Memorial University and Hibernia employee volunteers tested the students’ STEM knowledge during a hands-on engineering design challenge.

Let’s Talk Science has a long history of bringing STEM-based programs to youth in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since 1998, the Let’s Talk Science outreach site at Memorial University has worked with educators and youth across the province, using hands-on STEM activities to get students engaged with STEM. Over the last three years, Let’s Talk Science has also worked directly with the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (NLESD) and the Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador to participate in the facilitation of province-wide science renewal curriculum workshops for grades 1-5.

About Let’s Talk Science:

Let’s Talk Science is a national charitable organization committed to inspiring and empowering Canadian youth to develop the skills they need to participate and thrive in an ever-changing world. To accomplish this, Let’s Talk Science offers a comprehensive suite of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) based programs to support youth, educators and volunteers across Canada. For more information about Let's Talk Science, visit www.letstalkscience.ca.

About Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd.:

Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. is the operator of the Hibernia field and facilities operator for the Hibernia Southern Extension, which is operated by ExxonMobil Canada Properties. The participants in the Hibernia and Hibernia Southern Extension projects are ExxonMobil Canada Properties, Chevron Canada Resources, Suncor Energy, Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Murphy Oil, Statoil Canada Ltd. and Nalcor Energy - Oil and Gas (Hibernia Southern Extension only). www.hibernia.ca