Adopt-A-Class

We are committed to making science education and science programs more accessible, and reaching youth who have barriers to STEM engagement. Part of creating accessible programming means being attuned to gaps identified by the community. Our Adopt-A-Class Program is one of our efforts to reduce barriers.

During the school year, we deliver exciting STEM workshops to schools all over Manitoba. These workshops are normally offered for a small nominal fee for the school (to help us with the costs of materials and transportation), but we realized that this fee can sometimes be a barrier.

In 2012, we reached out to Boys and Girls Club of Winnipeg, and the Price Faculty of Engineering’s Access Program (ENGAP), who identified a number of schools they would like us to visit free of charge. Together we designed the Adopt-a-Class program, a mechanism by which donors can help us cover the costs of delivering these workshops.

Over the years the following schools have benefited from this program: Dufferin, Norquay, David Livingstone, Niji Mahkwa, William Whyte, Children of the Earth, Gordon Bell, Sisler, St. John's, Kelvin, Elmwood, Kildonan East, Southeast Collegiate, Maples Collegiate, Brooklands, Westgrove, Shaughnessy Park, King Edward, Pinkham.

With the help of donors, we have delivered 672 free workshops to 14 281 youth since 2012.

How to Help

Our funding sources vary annually, and are often short-term, so we are reaching out to you for your assistance to continue the Adopt-A-Class program. For every $50 donated, we are able to offer one free workshop to a deserving school.The University of Manitoba can send you a charitable tax receipt with your donation. There are three easy ways to do this: 

Online credit card payment: Please fill out the Online Donation Form provided by Donor Relations at the University of Manitoba.

Credit card payment over the phone: You can call Donor Relations at the University of Manitoba.  Please specify you would like to donate to “WISE Kid-Netic Energy”. Their number is 204-474-9195, or you can call toll-free at 1-800-330-8066.

Cheque by mail: You can write a cheque to the University of Manitoba.  In the memo field please write “WISE Kid-Netic Energy”. This cheque should be mailed to 200-137 Innovation Drive, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB, R3T 6B6.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost WISE Kid-Netic Energy to deliver the workshops I’m contributing towards?

Most workshops are offered for a nominal fee of $50, but this amount does not meet the actual costs of the workshop which are closer to $100. The total cost of delivering a single workshop includes expenses related to travel to and from location, materials used during the presentation, and the wages of our undergraduate instructors. The nominal fee helps us with these costs so that we can continue to deliver workshops and reach as many youth as possible. We rely on sponsorship, funding grants, and donations to cover the rest of our costs.

What if I want to donate to a class in a school that is not on your free workshop list?

If you would like to donate to a school that is not on our list, we suggest coordinating your donation directly through the school of your choice.  Call the school, speak with a teacher, and let them know what you are willing to do. You can give the donation directly to the school, and ask the school to contact us to set up a workshop. Please note that if you donate directly to the school, however, the University of Manitoba will not be able to send a charitable tax receipt.

What if I would like to donate a class as a gift for someone else?

What a great idea! We’d love to be a part of your gift. For every $50 donation we get at WISE Kid-Netic Energy for schools on our Adopt-a-Class list, we send a thank-you card to the donor. If the donation is a gift, this card can be made in someone else's name.