Montreal, September 30, 2024 - The Centre socioéducatif Lasallien, with the support of Amazon Web Services, Inc (AWS), announces the opening of a new lab in Montreal's Saint-Michel neighbourhood. The AWS Think Big Space—the first in Canada and in the French-speaking world—is the result of a unique collaboration between AWS and Centre Lasallien to create a dedicated space where students, educators and neighbourhood residents, can explore and cultivate their interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) and related careers.
The new space will serve as an integrated educational hub, where everything, from the curriculum, technology, and even the furniture, work together to support interactive hands-on learning. Equipped with an interactive touch table, a 3D printer, robots, mini-computers and more, visitors can pick a variety of learning paths from coding to programing to robotics to name only a few. Learners will be encouraged to explore innovative and imaginative ideas related to STEAM fields, and dare to “think big” through year-round programming.
"Think Big" is one of Amazon's Leadership principles that inspires leaders to think differently and communicate a bold direction to inspire results.
Located in the heart of Montreal's Saint-Michel neighbourhood, the Centre Lasallien aims to reduce inequalities and foster the social and academic success of youth and young adults, while helping them to become engaged, open-minded, proactive and responsible citizens. “We live in an increasingly digital world,” explained Paul Evra, Executive Director of the Centre Lasallien. “Our visitors are showing a growing interest in these problem-solving disciplines, which are known to stimulate creativity. Thanks to AWS, we're able to enhance our programming, better respond to our visitors needs and channel their energy towards interests that may offer them a better future. For some, it's giving them access to cutting-edge technology and equipment they wouldn't otherwise have access to, while for others, it's giving them the tools, confidence and means to realize their dreams.”
Through the AWS InCommunities program, AWS invests in grassroots initiatives that drive positive change and make a meaningful difference in the communities where AWS data centres are located and where employees live, work and raise their families. Since 2016, the Greater Montreal area has been the hub of AWS data centres in Quebec and the home of local operations, homegrown talent and ongoing investments.
While there is a strong demand for a skilled technology workforce, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence, the pool remains clearly insufficient. Today, 83% of Canadian companies plan on integrating AI into their operations, yet more than 75% Canadian employers experience difficulty recruiting. The accelerating demand for the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications will bring a new wave of IT job growth. But future talent needs to be exposed to these technologies, discover them, and manipulate them to push their interest further.
“AWS shares an ambitious vision with the Centre Lasallien to help shape Quebec's next generation of great thinkers and builders, giving those long underrepresented in these fields the means and an equal opportunity to succeed in disciplines they are passionate about,” said Réjean Bourgault, Director and Country Manager, AWS Canada. “Our involvement aims to amplify the Centre Lasallien’s efforts for the 5,000 young visitors of the centre, and for Saint-Michel’s youth more broadly.”
Laurence Lavigne-Lalonde, mayor of the Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension borough, enthusiastically welcomes this collaboration. “The Centre Lasallien has been doing outstanding work for over 20 years to create a stimulating environment where the many young people in the neighbourhood can thrive and prosper under the guidance of experienced educators and all in a key location. We're delighted that a company like AWS has chosen to support the Centre's initiatives and the residents of our neighbourhood. The AWS Big Think Space will enable visitors to develop their scientific curiosity or explore their existing passion in an environment better suited to their needs, encouraging experimentation and discovery. It's an initiative entirely in line with the shared vision we have for the young people of Saint-Michel.”
“The creation of the Think Big Space allows us to set up introductory programs in coding, artificial intelligence, science workshops for a female clientele with Les Scientifines, digital exploration workshops and FabLab-type workshops where learners will bring projects to life through digitization and 3D printing,” said Catherine Rousseau, director of programming at Centre Lasallien. “Student retention and curbing dropout rates are at the heart of our action and are reflected in our programming. In a neighbourhood where graduation rates remain a challenge, an initiative like the AWS Think Big Space fits perfectly with the Centre's programming and raison d'être.”
“Today, it's more important than ever to ensure that educational opportunities are directly linked to quality jobs. This new space will contribute to the development of local skills by providing learners with the means to build a career in these sectors. We're proud to help ensure a strong, diverse and more equitable workforce for our digital economy,” concluded Bourgault.
About the Centre socioéducatif Lasallien
The Centre Lasallien de Saint-Michel is a non-profit community organization dedicated to the education and development of young people. In particular, it offers a welcoming and stimulating living space to the citizens of the Saint-Michel—Villeray—Parc-Extension borough, with priority given to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable.