Since 1991, Visions of Science Network for Learning has held several events that rely on the expertise of qualified science and technology professionals, private enterprise, and community organizations, including the annual Science and Technology Symposium initiated that year. Workshops and the Black Family Technology Awareness Week, which is aimed at helping families that aren't taking full advantage of today's technologies, namely personal computers and Internet access, at home to do so.
From 1991 through 1995 the symposium was held at the Ontario Science Centre before moving to the University of Toronto's Medical Sciences building. Our focus over the years has been exposing and educating African Canadian youth to various careers in science and technology. Through lectures, interactive exhibits, workshops, and an exciting children's science activity village, participants can gain insight into the wonders of many different disciplines in those fields and meet established professionals and budding scientists. This community event is unique in Canada.
In 2001, in cooperation with the National Society of Black Engineers (University of Toronto chapter), an annual debate between African-Canadian university and college students was initiated.
The organization's name was officially changed from Visions of Science in October 2004 when it was incorporated.
With a mandate to increase the participation, interest and knowledge of African Canadian and other under-represented youth in the fields of science and technology Visions of Science Network for Learning established a network of community based science clubs and science summer camps in 2005.
The clubs were established with community service groups across the Greater Toronto Area to provide year round opportunities for 5th through 8th grade students to explore science. In association with the University of Toronto Science Outreach Program, which is a member of Actua, a national, not-for-profit organization that increases the scientific and technical literacy of young Canadians, VoSNL started providing interactive summer camp programming for African Canadian organizations conducting summer camps. Around the same time the Social Investment Fund backed a feasibility study for the establishment of five science clubs with Toronto Community Housing.
