An initiative to benefit Folie Technique science camp

This not-for-profit initiative was created by Polytechnique Montréal to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy of December 6, 1989, as a means of giving encouragement to the next generation of female science and engineering students. All funds raised will go to Folie Technique, Polytechnique's science day camp, to allow it to host even larger numbers of young girls from less affluent communities.

“Confidence in their own abilities to succeed in science is often more fragile among girls and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds,” says Folie Technique Director Marie-Claude Hamel. “We promote a positive attitude among girls toward these fields and sufficient self-confidence for them to consider a career in science one day. These young people are also the future that is blooming.”

The gift of white roses: an elegant, socially conscious gesture of affection

Marking a birthday or anniversary in a special way, sending Holiday wishes, expressing admiration or gratitude, making a gesture of solidarity to encourage young female science and engineering students—these are some of the reasons why individuals and companies may want to buy virtual roses. 

• A $10 donation will buy one rose and pay transportation for a girl to attend a science activity;
• A $50 donation will buy 14 roses and fund a science activity in an elementary school classroom;
• A $150 donation will buy 25 roses and enable a girl to attend a one-week science day camp during the summer. 

The Fondation de Polytechnique will issue income tax receipts upon request.

A permanent activity

In coming years, Polytechnique will promote the Week of the White Rose during the week prior to December 6. The website, however, will be accessible at all times.

Other initiatives on campus marking the 25th anniversary of December 6, 1989

The Order of the White Rose: a $30,000 Canada-wide scholarship

In tribute to the victims, the wounded, the faculty members and the employees and students who were at the heart of the tragedy, Polytechnique has created a $30,000 graduate studies scholarship to be known as the Polytechnique Montréal Order of the White Rose. It will be awarded annually to a woman engineering student who wishes to enrol in a graduate program (master's or doctoral level) at the institution of her choice, in Canada or elsewhere in the world.

Information: orderwhiterose.org.

Placing of a bouquet of white roses at the commemorative plaque at Polytechnique on Saturday, December 6, at 1 p.m.

A bouquet of 14 white roses will be placed at the commemorative plaque by Michèle Thibodeau-DeGuire, Chair of the Polytechnique Montréal Board of Directors; Christophe Guy, CEO of Polytechnique; Romain Gayet, President of the Polytechnique students' association; and Raphaël Beamonte, President of the Polytechnique graduate students' association. On this occasion, the flags in front of the institution will fly at half-mast.

Concert by the Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal, Saturday, December 6, 7:30 p.m.

The Orchestre de l'Université de Montréal, under conductor Jean-François Rivest, will perform En souvenir d'elles, a special work in memory of the victims of the tragedy, at the Faculty of Music's Salle Claude-Champagne.

Information: calendrier.umontreal.ca/musique/

All of these initiatives will never alter the past, but they celebrate the importance of developing the inspiring talents of today and tomorrow. The engineering profession and society as a whole need all the talents of women and men who can contribute to it.

About Polytechnique Montréal

Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering teaching and research institutions. It is the largest engineering university in Québec for the size of its graduate student body and the scope of its research activities. With over 41,400 graduates, Polytechnique Montréal has educated nearly one-quarter of the current members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Polytechnique provides training in 15 engineering specialties, has 248 professors and more than 7,500 students. It has an annual operating budget of over $210 million, including a $82-million research budget.

About Folie Technique

Folie Technique is a non-profit organization established in 1991 at the initiative of engineering students at Polytechnique Montréal. Its mission is to give young people the opportunity to explore the worlds of science, mathematics, engineering and technology, through creative, interactive and accessible activities. More than 20,000 young people aged 7 to 17 take part in Folie Technique's activities every year.

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Interviews and clips: http://goo.gl/Aqi9Kr

INFORMATION

Interviews

Annie Touchette
Polytechnique Montréal
514 231-8133
annie.touchette@polymtl.ca