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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2008  WHERE Challenge targets future Earth Scientists: Alarming shortage predicted (Vancouver, B.C.) – An urgent need to attract students to the Earth sciences is sparking a national contest for Canadian youth. Sponsored by EnCana Corporation and Teck Cominco Limited and in celebration of the International Year of Planet Earth and National Science & Technology Week, the WHERE Challenge is designed to get young people aged 10 – 14 years thinking about what on Earth is in their stuff and WHERE on Earth it comes from. The hope is that by encouraging bright young minds to think about the many ways the Earth’s resources support everyday life, the Challenge will also encourage students to consider Earth sciences as an exciting educational and career opportunity. Media are invited to join kids and Earth scientists at Telus World of Science (1455 Quebec Street) on Friday, October 17th at 10:00 a.m. as they celebrate the first year of the Challenge by exploring the Earth resources found in some common household items. According to the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES), Canada is facing a looming and wide-ranging shortage of qualified Earth scientists. Oil & gas, mining, environmental & geotechnical, government and academia are all predicted to face serious challenges in attracting new talent. Many workers are nearing retirement and that – coupled with rising commodity demands, advances in technology and emerging issues such as the need for new discoveries, sustainable resource development and an increased focus on environmental geoscience – has the country facing alarming shortages over the next five to 10 years. “We’re experiencing growing shortages across our entire profession,” said CFES President Ian Young. “The time to attract students to the Earth sciences is now, because the gap between the talent we have and the talent we need is reaching a point where it will begin to affect the Canadian economy.” The WHERE Challenge is inviting students and schools to compete for thousands of dollars in regional and national cash prizes by creating a story around any object in their home or school, identifying one or more non-renewable Earth resources found in that object and WHERE on Earth those resources come from. Entries can be submitted until February 28th, 2009. All contest details are available at www.earthsciencescanada.com. "Science World is excited to be hosting the launch of the WHERE Challenge," said Science World Vice President, Community Engagement, Pauline Finn. “We want to show kids that science is all around us and that there are great opportunities for them to be a part of it in their careers. The WHERE Challenge is a great way to spread that message." “Creating understanding in young people about Earth science is more important than ever,” said Young. “These kids represent the future of the science. It’s their imagination and innovation that we’ll be relying on as we face increasing pressures on our natural resources.” For interviews or more information, please contact: Pamela Findling, Telus World of Science Jennifer Lyall, WHERE Challenge Communications |
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Also see the WHERE Challenge Flyer |
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