Free STEM workshops will help more Hamilton children build confidence, leadership, and digital skills.
Hamilton, ON – Mathronauts is thrilled to announce that with the generous support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) and its funder, the Government of Ontario, the organization is expanding its SPARK Program to reach more children across Hamilton’s underserved communities. This expansion will help children ages 7 to 9 develop essential social, emotional, leadership, and digital skills through free, hands-on STEM workshops offered in safe, trusted community spaces.
Social, emotional, and leadership skills are critical to a young person’s success, impacting everything from school performance to mental well being and future opportunity. Yet, children in low-income and underserved communities often face barriers to accessing safe, enriching programs that foster these skills, especially during the pivotal early years. The SPARK Program closes this access gap by delivering fun, interactive STEM programming that helps kids grow their confidence, communication, and teamwork in spaces they already trust, like libraries, community centres, and after-school programs.
With support from OTF’s Grow Grant, Mathstronauts will expand SPARK from four to ten community sites over the next three years, increasing the program’s reach, training more facilitators, and providing access to 360 children. The program will continue to center its activities around hands-on learning, leadership building, and social connection, ensuring every participant leaves feeling empowered and prepared for their future.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous three-year investment in the SPARK program,” said Sehrish Zehra, Executive Director of Mathstronauts. “This funding allows us to grow our reach and impact—supporting more youth with hands-on STEM experiences, mentorship, and leadership opportunities that build confidence and spark long-term interest in STEM. Thanks to OTF, we’re not just running a program—we’re nurturing the next generation of problem-solvers, changemakers, and future STEM leaders,” she added.
Mathstronauts is a Hamilton-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underrepresented youth to build confidence, leadership, and digital technology skills through accessible, high-quality STEM programs. Since 2016, Mathstronauts has served thousands of youth through free, equity-focused programming that removes socioeconomic and cultural barriers to participation. In 2023, 84% of youth in Mathstronauts programs identified as coming from underrepresented groups including low-income families, BIPOC communities, and newcomers. To learn about Mathstronauts and its programs, visit www.mathstronauts.ca.
For more information and/or PR inquiries, please contact: Priska Handojo (p.handojo@mathstronauts.ca)