Over 350 Good News Stories

Our Technology Alberta Team has a weekly in-person/hybrid team meeting, and Nicole starts us off by asking for “A Good News Story”. This has been a great note to start our sessions on.. however our challenge is that we have so much good news to share – we run out of time for the more ‘routine business’. This has become an even greater problem as we embark on the “35 Years of Innovation in Alberta Series“ celebrating 35 years worth of ASTech Award winners – having the honour and privilege to share over 350 good news stories over 35 weeks leading to the November 1 ASTech Awards. With a small but committed team of volunteers and staff – we have been doing our best to dig into the archives. Thanks to the growing support of sponsors – including NABI, APEX (South Eastern Alberta), Alberta Innovates, University of Calgary, Edmonton Research Park, PrairiesCan – we are 1/3 of the way to the financial goal needed to sustain ASTech efforts..

So of the 350 good news stories, one that especially resonated recently – was 1995 Award Winner – Praxis. As many of you may have read on last weeks Linked-In feature, charity Praxis Science Outreach Society works with nearly 200 volunteers to deliver programs which have reached over 100,000 individuals (students and families) across more than 20 communities in southeastern Alberta. (To donate to Praxis: https://lnkd.in/gC-Et9SF). We were elated, when we received the following comment ” My father established Praxis when I was young, making it an integral part of my life. Growing up my brother and I were the test subjects for all the science demos/kits/activities, we were always volunteering at the Praxis Family Science Olympics and I entered a project in the Regional Science Fair in grade 5. I also participated in Operation Minerva when I was in grade 9 (circa 2001), which ultimately led me down the STEM path and earning a post-secondary/graduate education in physics. Coming full circle, I am now (remotely) serving on the board as a Director. I am incredibly proud that Praxis continues to thrive over 30 years later! I vaguely remember my Dad receiving this award but he still has it up in his office.” This note was sent by a young professional – now working at Edmonton Unlimited – showing the continued and pan-Alberta value of outreach initiatives.

So what are the lessons learned? Innovation impacts every corner of this province, which in addition brings many returns across the province for current and future generations. Join us in celebrating the value that collaboration and community building has generated across Alberta – it is the way that we grow, together!

See You Soon.

Gail
Gail J. Powley, P.Eng
President, Technology Alberta