October 2008 issue
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Petroleum Companies Support Science in Schools
Awards worth $20,000 will help students pursue their educational goals and schools in small Western Canadian communities enhance their programs, says a news release from the Petroleum Services Association of Canada. Ten students and 10 schools are each being awarded $1,000 from PSAC.
The scholarships and grants are awarded through the PSAC Education Fund. Since it was established over 10 years ago, the fund has invested over $80,000 in the future of young Canadians.
Students pursuing a certificate, diploma or degree in an accredited post-secondary institution are eligible to apply for the annual scholarships, and schools aiming to enhance their students’ math, science and technology learning opportunities submit proposal applications for the grants.
“It’s very important to ensure that learning opportunities for our future leaders are both accessible and continually enhanced,” says Rob Gray, manager of communications and member relations for PSAC. “The petroleum services industry has a role in fostering learning for the future workforce, and providing support through the PSAC Education Fund is one way we carry that out.”
Enabling students to take advantage of existing opportunities and helping schools to create new ones is the central aim of the PSAC Education Fund. This is increasingly important as workforce challenges continue to persist within the Canadian and global economy, says the PSAC release. The fund helps ensure that the upcoming generation will have the knowledge and tools to thrive.
Scholarship recipients are determined through a draw. Grant recipients are selected by a committee according to a set of criteria.
Of the 10 student scholarships annually, five are available to the offspring of employees of PSAC member companies. The other five are open to the public. The 10 grants are awarded to schools in Western Canadian communities with populations of 15,000 or less.
2008 PSAC Member Scholarship Recipients
• Lauren Connerton, Calgary
(Kudu Industries Inc.)
• Marnie Cross, Calgary (Enersul Inc.)
• Cherryl Panorel, Calgary
(Baker Hughes Canada Ltd.)
• Aidan Wawchuk, Lloydminster, Alta. (Weatherford Canada Partnership)
• Ryan James Zimmerman, Spruce Grove (Baker Oil Tools)
2008 Public Scholarship Recipients
• Madison Aquin, Calgary
• Mike Boiko, Calgary
• Bijoux Verkuyl, Debert, N.S.
• Elizabeth Wong, Toronto, Ont.
• Linsey Gail Paull, Elkhorn, Man.
2008 School Grant Recipients
• Blewett Elementary, Nelson, B.C. Renewable & Non-Renewable Resources Science Resource Kit and Science Fair.
• Clandonald School, Clandonald, Alta. Annual Science Day
• Eagle Butte High School, Dunmore, Alta. Real-Time Data Collection Probeware.
• Eaglesham School, Eaglesham, Alta. Digital Cameras and Video Cameras
• Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw School, Port Hardy, B.C. Jump Math Workshops
• Jessie Duncan Elementary School, Penhold, Alta. Careers-in-Science-Math-Technology-Oil/Gas Conference
• Kincaid Central School, Kincaid, Sask. Science Probeware and Software
• Lampman School, Lampman, Sask. Field Trip to Petroleum-Related Sites
• Lamont Jr./Sr. High School, Lamont, Alta. Annual Science Fair
• Rosary School, Manning, Alta. Xplorer Datalogger and Variety of Passport Sensors.
PSAC is the national trade association representing the service, supply and manufacturing sectors within the upstream petroleum industry. It represents a diverse range of over 270 member companies, employing more than 62,000 people and contracting almost exclusively to oil and gas exploration and production companies. PSAC member companies represent over 80 per cent of the business volume generated in the petroleum services industry.
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