Stephen Jones has received national recognition for his program Youth BIOlab Jeunesse, which hosts 5000 students/year within the St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre. The Prime Minister’s Teaching Excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Award honours “exceptional elementary and secondary school teachers for remarkable achievement in education, and for commitment to preparing students for a digital and innovation-based economy”.
The former medical researcher set up a state-of-the-art laboratory in 2013 at the St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre to help youth develop meaningful connections with cutting-edge science and technology. To date, the program has served more than 50,000 students.
“This is a remarkable achievement and recognition for Steve, and for the program” says Dr. Grant Pierce, Executive Director of Research for St. Boniface Hospital. “Through Steve’s hard work developing both program and partnerships, he has developed something that is unique in North America”.
“This is one of only 17 awards across the country for STEM teaching, so it’s a huge and humbling honour” says Jones. “I’m grateful for the constant support and enthusiasm for the program. Meghan Kynoch and I couldn’t do all that we do without the support of the Research Centre, Foundation and Hospital”.
Supporting Health Literacy through Science Education
The St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre Youth BIOLab Jeunesse is a space for students and teachers to explore and experience real biomedical science in a world-class research centre. Built with support from Manitoba Education, The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), and the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, Youth BIOLab Jeunesse opened its doors to students in Spring 2013, and works in partnership with Manitoba school divisions and with the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to connect St. Boniface Hospital and St-Boniface Hospital Research to classroom learning.
For more information:
Youth BIOlab Jeunesse
Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence