We are on a mission to unlock the infinite potential of youth while radically and relentlessly removing barriers to STEM.  

Our vision is for Canada to become a global leader in inclusive STEM education and outreach.  

1. Equity - We recognize that advantages and barriers exist, and prioritize equity throughout everything we do to restore balance in the innovation ecosystem.
2. Community - We respect the knowledge and experiences of the communities we serve, and leverage these strengths to achieve collective impact.
3. Confidence - We are hyper-focused on building the confidence of youth, and those we work with, by connecting them with peers, role models and safe and inclusive STEM programming.
4. Authenticity - We know that being genuine, communicating openly, and empowering others to be themselves is the pathway to
   exceptional performance, ongoing trust, and unwavering loyalty.
5. Credibility - We inspire belief in our programming and initiatives by showcasing our impact, sharing our knowledge and resources, and maintaining transparency.
6. Curiosity - We are passionate about learning and remain forever curious as we seek to continuously innovate, challenge the status quo and exceed expectations.

Actua’s national focus is on the engagement of youth from underserved and underrepresented groups. We aim to ensure that nothing prevents youth from participating in STEM, and to break down barriers including: socio-economic status, culture, gender, location, or previous experience in STEM. 

Actua’s national programs have been designed to specifically address youth from underrepresented groups  in STEM. These programs include,  the National Girls Program, Actua in the North, Go Where Kids Are Program, InSTEM (Indigenous Youth in STEM) program and our National Black Youth in STEM Program.

Here, you may begin to think about the ways that your program works to engage all youth, and how your role as an instructor fits into this larger picture.

Actua is a non-for-profit organization, governed by a board of directors. Actua's head office is based in Ottawa. Actua engages youth through two main mechanisms: a national network of over 40 university and college-based members, and a national Outreach Team. Together we inspire over 350,000 youth each year, reaching every province and territory in Canada through summer camps, classroom workshops, clubs, teacher training, and community outreach activities. Below is a map of Actua’s national reach.

As a nationally recognized voice for STEM education and outreach, Actua is a strong advocate for the critical importance of early engagement in STEM. We use our national voice to advocate for increased investment in youth STEM programs and to specifically bring attention to the ongoing underrepresentation of key groups in STEM fields. Actua is frequently called upon to speak on our vast program experience and policy expertise through conference presentations, media interviews, community events and social media. We actively share our research findings and experiences with a broad community in order to advance understanding and innovation in the field of STEM engagement.