Partners in Research (PIR) has awarded Carleton University’s Craig Merrett, assistant professor with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the 2014 Partners in Research Virtual Researcher On Call (VROC) Participation award, as part of the National Ambassador Awards.
“I am delighted to be a co-recipient of the VROC Participation Award for 2014,” said Merrett. “The opportunity to interact live with elementary and high school students, discuss an engineering topic and answer their questions about engineering has been exciting and tremendously fun. I look forward to another year with VROC.”
Merrett joined the VROC program two years ago and has been active in connecting with classrooms through videoconferencing and in PIR’s STEM camp. The video calls he took part in focus on a topic that the students are learning in school. Students can ask Merrett questions that go beyond what their teachers know.
The PIR awards recognize and honour excellence in Canadian research, as well as commitment to promoting the benefit of one’s research through public outreach. Merrett will receive the award at the Second Annual Partners In Research National Awards (PIRNA), which are being hosted by Senator Joseph A. Day and Denise Amyot, CEO and president of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges.
When: Friday, May 23, 2014 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Road, Ottawa
Note: For a complete list of this year’s winners visit http://www.pirweb.org/pir/en/pir-event/
Tickets: To purchase tickets ($150 each) visit http://www.pirweb.org/tickets/
VROC is a set of educational programs that connect knowledge partners – college and university professors and professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – with Canadian students in elementary and secondary schools for real-time, interactive learning opportunities.
The awards will be co-presented with the awards for the 21st Annual Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) National Competition, a biotechnology competition that showcases young scientists and their cutting-edge biotechnology projects from across Canada.
About Carleton University
Located in the nation’s capital, Carleton University is a dynamic research and teaching institution with a tradition of leading change. Its internationally recognized faculty, staff and researchers provide more than 25,000 full- and part-time students from every province and more than 100 countries around the world with academic opportunities in more than 65 programs of study, including public affairs, journalism, film studies, engineering, high technology, and international studies. Carleton’s creative, interdisciplinary and international approach to research has led to many significant discoveries and creative works in science and technology, business, governance, public policy and the arts. As an innovative institution Carleton is uniquely committed to developing solutions to real-world problems by pushing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding daily.
About Partners in Research
Partners in Research (PIR) is a registered Canadian charity founded in 1988 to help Canadians understand the significance, accomplishments and promise of biomedical research in advancing health and medicine. Since its genesis, PIR has broadened its scope to encompass science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as fields of discovery and study for Canadian students.
Media Contact
Steven Reid
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600 ext. 8718
613-265-6613
Steven_Reid3@Carleton.ca
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Cunewsroom
Need an expert? Go to: www.carleton.ca/newsroom/experts