Exploration Place has announced that they will be part of a new national project aimed at teaching youth about climate change.

The ‘Inspiring Youth to Climate Action Project’ will be funded by a $6 million Environment Canada grant.

Working alongside the Discovery Centre in Halifax, Science North in Sudbury and the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC), Exploration Place will play a key role in facilitating the project.

Dov Bercovici, President and CEO of the Discovery Centre says much of the funding will be dispursed to up to 30 Canadian Science Centres to conduct similar teachings.

He explained the centres will use this funding to, “help youth to understand current and credible climate science, transforming their thinking and most importantly, inspiring them to take action.”

“Canadian youth have already been stepping up to protect their future and today the government of Canada is helping to further inspire and equip those youth,” added Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore.

Meanwhile, Tracy Calogheros, CEO for Exploration Place says they were approached to become a partner because of their work with Lheidli T’enneh and other outreach work they’ve conducted across Northern BC.

“We aim to work with our Indigenous friends and partners to both develop, and then take this programming out, to indigenous youth wherever they live across the Province,” explained Calogheros.

She says Exploration Place will use what they’ve learned from administering their ‘Tech Up’ programming and apply it to the Youth to Climate Action Project.

Development on the project is slated to begin immediately, while programs are expected to roll out in 2022.

Funding for this project is being provided by Environment Canada’s $38 million Climate Action and Awareness Fund that was created to support similar projects across Canada.

“We have earned the public’s trust over some 50 years and, in partnership with our museums who hold our collective memory, we are well-positioned to help inspire the public discussions and answer the questions we are all struggling with around climate science and reliable sources,” added Calegheros.