Actua (Canadian charity)
Actua is a Canadian charitable organization that delivers science, engineering and technology educational programs to young people in Canada. Actua's stated mission is "to provide young Canadians with life-changing science, engineering and technology experiences that inspire youth to achieve their potential and fulfill their critical role in the world." The organization is a member of the Science and Technology Awareness Network (S.T.A.N.). Actua's president and CEO is Jennifer E. Flanagan. Structure and programs. Actua operates on a membership structure, consisting of member organizations located at 31 university and college institutions across Canada. Actua's  member programs are delivered by undergraduate and high school students through science camps and workshops, which are customized to the needs of local communities. The programs use hands-on activities in fields such as health, mining, biology and ecology. The majority of member organizations also travel outside the urban centers where they are located to deliver camps and workshops in rural and remote communities. The programs include: National members. The program has 34 members throughout the various provinces and territories of Canada. Awards. In 2009, the Ontario Trillium Foundation named Actua and its 11 Ontario members the winner of the  Minister's Award recognizing not-for-profit organizations that have had "an exceptional impact in their communities." In 2000, Actua was awarded the Michael Smith Award by the National Science and Engineering Research Council. In 2000, Actua submitted its programs to an independent evaluation process to measure their programs' effectiveness. The three-year research initiative surveyed student participants who revealed their experience with Actua programs.