Imhotep's Legacy After School Science Enrichment Program for African Nova Scotian Learners

Imhotep's Legacy After-School Project (ILASP) is a provincial science and engineering after-school enrichment program established in 2003. It aims to redress the under-representation of African Canadians in postsecondary science studies. ILASP offers African Nova Scotian participants in Grade 7, 8 {\&} 9 important academic and social opportunities at no out-of-pocket cost. It is guided by the fact that young learners will be motivated to regularly attend a program that features high-quality, interactive and fun learning activities that are distinct from but connected to their school curricula. The program is structured to sustain contact with the learners over three years (grade 7, 8, 9) during a crucial phase in their academic careers. University science and engineering students, acting as mentors, foster positive social interactions with young learners and deliver science enrichment activities in a participatory and casual atmosphere. Reasons for the high retention rate among participants will be discussed. Visit our website at http://imhotep.dal.ca/.