Women in Scholarship, Engineering, Science, and Technology (WISEST) has been engaging women and other underrepresented groups in science, engineering and technology since 1982.

As a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) outreach trailblazer in Canada, WISEST heightens awareness and dismantles barriers to diversity. Its goal is to ensure that anyone with a passion for STEM fields can thrive in them.

In its early years, WISEST hosted two national conferences dedicated to promoting women in science. These events laid the foundation for developing programs and networks that encouraged women to pursue their passions in science.

WISEST has also established summer research programs that place students in research facilities at the University of Alberta, providing them with hands-on experience and exposure to scientific inquiry. Many young women and gender-diverse students are currently doing research at the university’s College of Natural + Applied Sciences as a result of these programs.

The Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) conference, facilitated by WISEST, has for years ignited enthusiasm for these fields among young women, fostering a sense of belonging and possibility. And since the 1990s, WISEST has also organized the CHOICES Conference, which sees grade 6 female and gender-diverse students exchange experiences, meet role models, and explore diverse career paths in STEM.

WISEST’s impactful awareness initiatives have been closely aligned with student needs for more than 40 years. The organization has influenced more than 60,000 students by engaging them during critical educational stages (primarily grades 6 through 12), while its broader outreach efforts have reached countless others. Each year, WISEST delivers in-person activities to more than 1,500 students from Alberta and beyond, collaborates with more than 300 science teachers, and interacts with hundreds of other individuals during outreach events.

WISEST’s unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and advancing diversity in science, engineering and technology has shaped an inclusive community. Its legacy spans four decades and has contributed significantly to changing the narrative about who can thrive in STEM fields. In recognition of these contributions, WISEST was selected as the winner of the 2023 NSERC Award for Science Promotion (Organization).