DiscoverE
Welcome to the Fred Otto DiscoverE Program
Established in 1993, the Fred Otto DiscoverE program works everyday to get youth excited about science, technology, engineering and math. Our goal is to help demystify engineering and showcase the amazing research, programs and fields of study within engineering and how they are used in the real world. Engineering is using what we have learned from science to make the world a better place. Engineers solve problems and invent solutions to help humans and the environment.
What we offer
The Fred Otto DiscoverE program offers programming in multiple ways. In each program, youth explore different engineering topics and disciplines. All projects are developed with direct links to the Alberta programs of study. For more information on any of these programs please email discovere@ualberta.ca.
Summer Camps at University of Alberta North Campus
Summer camp registration is now open for 2025! Youth entering grades 1-9 in September 2025 participate in week long day camps focusing on different engineering disciplines. Campers take part in hands-on activities, creative projects and mentor sessions from experts. Bursaries are available!
Register for Camp Apply for a Bursary
Off-Campus Summer Camps
The Fred Otto DiscoverE program summer camps are coming to rural and Indigenous communities across western Canada and the Northwest Territories! We invite local mentors, Elders and Knowledge Keepers to join us for sessions throughout the camp week. If you are interested in the Fred Otto DiscoverE program coming to your community or want to learn more about this program, please contact discovere@ualberta.ca.
Email for Information
Classroom Kits
Classroom kits are a fun, engaging way to bring DiscoverE programming to your school! Kits include a lesson plan, student workbooks, and all the materials needed for a teacher to run a hands-on engineering activity in the comfort of their own classroom.
Currently classroom kits are offered for several grades between Grades 1-11. We will be creating more kits soon so that we can provide our programming for every age group!
Learn more
fem+ and gem+
The Faculty of Engineering's fem+ program is a 7 month mentorship experience for female, non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ high school students interested in exploring the possibilities within engineering. Participants attend exclusive info sessions, faculty events, campus tours and discussions with other high school and engineering students in the program.
DiscoverE's gem+ camps are made exclusively for female, non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ youth from Grades 2-9! These smaller camps are limited to a cohort of only 12 participants, so that campers can experiment, make mistakes, and build community in a safe space.
Join the Team!
If you thrive in a fast-paced, flexible and friendly work environment, want to hone your teaching and curriculum development skills, or want portfolio and administration experience, then the Fred Otto DiscoverE program is the place for you!
The Fred Otto DiscoverE program also offers a variety of volunteering and mentoring opportunities, as well as our junior instructor program. The junior instructor program is offered to students graduating from high school who will be entering the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering in the coming school year.
Job, volunteer and mentor opportunities »
Junior instructor program »
450000+
Youth reached over the last 30 years
100+
Different communities visited in AB, BC, NWT and Saskatchewan
114
Camp programs during Summer 2024
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, reach more communities and 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.
Connect with DiscoverE
2-215 Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9
780-492-8779
discovere@ualberta.ca