About SuperNOVA
Our vision
Empowering youth through educational experiences in STEM that cultivate curiosity and an attitude for lifelong learning.
Our Mandate
SuperNOVA is a not-for-profit initiative at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia that provides youth across Atlantic Canada with educational opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), regardless of geographic location, socio-economic situation, ability, gender or lived experience.
SuperNOVA’s programming aims to engage youth in STEM through a variety of hands-on, engaging programs and projects, as well as through mentorship and site visits with industry professionals. In highlighting the real-world applications of STEM, SuperNOVA inspires youth to pursue STEM post-secondary education and career paths.
In 2023 to date SuperNOVA has reached over 27,721 youth, and over 94% of which was free-of-charge programming designed to minimize financial barriers to access. Furthermore, 71% of these free programs were delivered directly to participants in rural, remote, First Nation, Black and low-income communities. contributing to a more diverse future workforce.
SuperNOVA reaches youth through a variety of high quality camps, clubs, workshops, and community events, seeking to provide inclusive education with particular focus on underserved groups, including all-girls programming.
National Network Membership
Actua is a leading Canadian science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organization. Each year, the Actua network engages over 375,000 youth in 600 communities across Canada in transformative STEM learning experiences that build critical skills and confidence. Please visit actua.ca.
SuperNOVA 2024 Sponsors
Our Team
Alexandra Fenton Caal
Executive Director
Maya Potter
Assistant Director
Caitlin MacPhail
Partnership & Development Coordinator
Jarman Ley
Lead Program Coordinator
Ebony Demers
Program Coordinator
Mab Speelman
Program Coordinator
Pierina León
Program Coordinator
Mira MacNeill
Program Coordinator
Tanner Costen
Program Coordinator
Carling Course
Communications Coordinator
Mackenzie Valentine
Executive Assistant
David Luong
Program Assistant
Kierra Buddecke
Program Assistant
Terrence Chan
Office Administrator
Board of Advisors
Dr. Alison Thompson
Chair
Dr. Eric Poitras
Dr. Wendy Gentleman
Dr. Alison Scott
Dr. Amyl Ghanem
Support SuperNOVA
Contributions from our supporters enables SuperNOVA to offer many of our programs for free to remove barriers for youth from backgrounds typically underrepresented in fields related to science, engineering, technology, and mathematics.
Our charitable registration number is 886806561RR0001 (Dalhousie University)
If you would like more information on becoming a supporter of SuperNOVA at Dalhousie University, please get in touch:
E-mail: supernova@dal.ca | Phone: 902-210-6220
Sign up for the SuperNOVA Newsletter!
SuperNOVA’s newsletter is designed to give updates to community partners, parents, teachers and students. Keep up to date with everything going on – from summer camps, to workshops, to teacher PD and so much more!