About Us
What is the Fred otto DiscoverE program?
The Fred Otto DiscoverE program is a student-delivered initiative of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta. Founded in 1993, the Fred Otto DiscoverE program is a not-for-profit organization that puts our participants first. Our Mission is to use hands-on programming to educate and inspire youth, building their skills and confidence in engineering and STEM subjects. We work to break down barriers facing underrepresented groups to ensure that everyone has access to our programs.
We do this in four main ways:
- Travelling to rural & indigenous communities for camps and workshops
- Providing exclusive camp programs to female and gender-diverse youths
- Offering bursaries to break down financial barriers
- Shipping our classroom kits across Canada, at no extra charge
In Memoriam
Fred Otto, Professor Emeritus, Dean of Engineering (1985-1994)
In 2023, the DiscoverE Program was renamed in honour of the late Fred Otto, former Dean of Engineering. Fred was an outstanding leader in our industry, community and beyond.
A kind and generous man who always put the spotlight on others around him, making everyone feel unique and empowered. Fred had a significant impact on the future of the Faculty of Engineering, developing the first environmentally focused chemical engineering course and expanding the Co-Op program. Over the past three decades, generations of engineers were inspired and influenced by their DiscoverE experience, a program established under Fred's leadership to provide fun, interactive engineering experiences to youth. In honour of Fred, we invite you to make a donation to the fund established by his family, the Fred and Helen Otto DiscoverE Endowment, in his memory.
Where We Have Been (So Far!)
Award Highlights
2022 | 2018 NSERC PromoScience
2020 Community Connection Community Leader Award
2015 | 2014 | 2013 Google RISE (Roots in Science and Engineering) Award
2009 | 1997 ASTech (Alberta Science and Technology) Award
Give to the Fred otto DiscoverE Program
As a not-for-profit organization we are extremely grateful for the support of the Faculty of Engineering. We are able to run our programming thanks to the generous support from individual donors, corporations, and foundations.
Your support is invaluable in making the Fred Otto DiscoverE program a success. It allows us to keep camper fees low, to reach more communities, and to provide bursaries for children in financial need to attend camp. Thank you for your continued support of the Fred Otto DiscoverE program! You are brightening futures for thousands of children who will be the engineers of tomorrow.
