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.

Group of children holding up their projects

Summer camps at University of Alberta North Campus

Registration is now open! Youth going into grades 1-9 in September 2024 participate in week long day camps focusing on different engineering disciplines. Campers partake in hands-on activities, creative projects and mentor sessions from experts. Bursaries are available!

Register for Camp Apply for a Bursary
Child swinging on a swing

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 or Knowledge Keepers to lead 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
DiscoverE instructors doing an in-class workshop

Classroom kits, workshops & STEAM centres

For school programming, we offer classroom kits, workshops and STEAM centers. Classroom kits provide everything for a teacher to run a fun, hands-on engineering activity in their classroom. Workshops involve our U of A student instructors running an hour long engineering project for your class. STEAM centres include station-based activities for grades K-6 that focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and math. 

Learn more
Two girls sitting in a DiscoverE class

Fem+ and GEM+

Fem+ 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.

Learn more about Fem+ »

NEW: This summer we are also reintroducing GEM+! These camps are made exclusively for female, non-binary and 2SLGBTQ+ youth from Grades 2-9!

Explore GEM+ camps »

Join the Team!

If you thrive in a fast-paced, flexible and friendly work environment, want to get direct exposure to teaching and curriculum development, or want portfolio and administration experience, then the Fred Otto DiscoverE program is the right place for you!

Hiring for Spring & Summer 2024 is underway! Applications close on March 24!

The Fred Otto DiscoverE program also offers a variety of volunteering and mentoring opportunities as well as our junior instructor program that is offered to graduating high school students entering the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Engineering in the coming school year!

Apply Now

Volunteering and mentoring »
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.

Give to the Fred Otto DiscoverE program

Beaver wearing a crafted robot helmet peeking onto the page

Connect with DiscoverE

2-215 Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta  T6G 1H9

780-492-8779
discovere@ualberta.ca