MindFuel

Members of MindFuel’s Programs team were pleased to attend the annual Indigitech Summit at TELUS Spark Science Centre yesterday in Calgary.

Now in its fifth year, the Summit brings together Indigenous leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals to share knowledge, build connections, and explore the role technology and innovation can play in strengthening Indigenous communities and creating new opportunities.

For our team, it was a valuable opportunity to listen, learn, and connect with people working at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, technology, and innovation.

A note of sincere thanks to Indigitech Summit founder and organizer Art Proctor, a longtime friend and supporter of MindFuel’s youth innovation programs. Over the years, Art has generously shared his time and expertise as a judge and mentor with both Tech Futures Challenge and Founders Fundamentals. Most recently, he served as a judge at the TFC 2026 Innovation Showcase.

We’re grateful for Art’s continued commitment to supporting and encouraging the next generation of innovators, and congratulate him on five years of bringing people together through the Indigitech Summit.

At MindFuel, we believe young people should have opportunities to explore STEM, develop their ideas, and see themselves as innovators and leaders. Events like the Indigitech Summit reinforce the importance of ensuring those opportunities are inclusive, community-driven, and informed by the voices and experiences of Indigenous peoples.

Thank you to Art and everyone who helped make this year’s Summit such a meaningful opportunity for conversation, learning, and connection.

Investing in Alberta’s innovation ecosystem means making sure that young people have a place in it.

MindFuel is proud to support 100 Youth Memberships with Technology Alberta, helping young innovators connect with Alberta’s technology community and gain greater access to the people, ideas, and opportunities shaping our province’s future.

As we join Technology Alberta and members of the innovation community at the 37th Annual ASTech Foundation Awards Opening Ceremony, we’re especially proud to help create opportunities for youth to see themselves not simply as the next generation of innovators, but as contributors to Alberta’s innovation ecosystem today.

Because when youth are welcomed into the conversation, given opportunities to build meaningful connections, and encouraged to pursue their ideas, the entire innovation community benefits.

We’re excited to see where these 100 memberships —and the young people behind them— will lead.

MindFuel is proud to be part of the 37th Annual ASTech Foundation Awards Opening Ceremony tonight at Mount Royal University, bringing together innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community partners from across Alberta’s technology and innovation ecosystem.

Our COO Brent Bawel took the stage this evening to share how, through Connect2Innovate and programs such as the Tech Futures Challenge, MindFuel helps young people build connections between STEM, innovation, and entrepreneurship —creating pathways for the next generation of Canadian innovators. Joining Brent on stage were MindFuel Board member Peter Kinash & Board Chair of Technology Alberta Mehadi Sayed.

And there’s more: We’re sponsoring 100 Technology Alberta Youth Memberships --giving young people opportunities to connect directly with Alberta’s technology community, expand their professional networks, participate in industry events and conversations, and explore future career opportunities.

MindFuel is proud to support Technology Alberta and the ASTech Awards and very pleased to help young innovators find their place in Alberta’s thriving tech ecosystem.

MindFuel team members in attendance:
Cassy Weber
Brent Bawel
Freeda Mulenga
Ric Resch
Sabina Bauer Lewis
Lisa Kindree
Ben Nakaska
Alma Abugov

What is MindFuel’s Tech Futures Challenge, or TFC?

It’s where ideas become possibilities —and possibilities become innovative, tech-driven answers to problems in our world.

TFC gives young innovators the opportunity to tackle to tackle issues that matter most to them using emerging technologies such as AI, biotechnology, robotics, and clean energy and renewable tech. Along the way, participants gain access to mentorship, research, prototyping, and entrepreneurial learning, while connecting with industry leaders, researchers, and innovators.

More than a competition, TFC is a launchpad where youth build skills, test ideas, and discover what they're capable of.

Because at MindFuel we believe that the future isn’t something youth should have to wait for.

They can start building it right now.

At MindFuel, we believe in opening doors to STEM and innovation —and in supporting young people as they turn their curiosity, ideas and ambition into opportunities for the future.

Together with Creative Destruction Lab - Rockies, we share a commitment to helping the next generation of innovators develop the knowledge and skills they need to pursue their goals, tackle complex challenges, and help shape a rapidly changing world.

We’re positively delighted to announce the recipients of the 2026–27 CDL-Rockies Opportunities Scholarship:

-Anoop Grewal of Edmonton, who will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Alberta; and
-Kierat Kaur of Calgary, who will pursue a Bachelor of Science specializing in Molecular Biology at the University of Calgary.

Supporting talented young people like Anoop and Kierat is an investment not only in their education, but in the ideas, discoveries, and innovations they’ll bring to their communities and to Canada in the years ahead.

Please join us in congratulating Anoop and Kierat as they begin this exciting next chapter!
Learn more at the link: https://mindfuel.ca/scholarships/recipients/

Escaping the heat of an August day by exploring STEM foundations with youth grades 5 to 10 at the Friendship Centre. Extracting DNA from a strawberry, using pipettes to measure and mix, building circuits with various components, and coding and flying drones.

Thank you to New High Level Native Friendship Centre Society staff and youth --We can’t wait to visit again.

The 2026 Rogers Charity Classic has come to a close, but Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink isn’t finished just yet. There’s still time to support MindFuel.

When you donate through Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, your gift will be matched by up to 50% —helping inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and changemakers.

Your support goes directly toward STEM and innovation learning for students across Alberta —from rural and remote communities and Indigenous communities to students in urban centres. In the past 12 months alone, MindFuel’s programming has reached more than 30,000 young people across the province.

By providing youth with access to hands-on STEM learning, tools, and opportunities, we’re helping them build the skills and confidence they’ll need to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world.

Thank you for helping us fuel curiosity, creativity, and possibility for Alberta youth!

Donations gratefully accepted until 31 August 2026. Follow the link to learn more and donate:

https://rogerscharityclassic.com/charities/the-mindfuel-foundation

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO MAKE A BIG IMPACT!

The final putt has dropped at the 2026 Rogers Charity Classic, but there’s still time to support MindFuel through Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink.

When you give today, your donation will be matched by up to 50%, helping even more young people discover the excitement of STEM, innovation, and problem-solving.

Over the past year, MindFuel has reached more than 30,000 youth across Alberta, inspiring the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Your support helps make those opportunities possible.

Together, we can help more young people imagine what's possible —and give them the tools to build it.
If you've been meaning to donate, now’s the time. Donations accepted until 31 August 2026.

Donate today: https://rogerscharityclassic.com/charities/the-mindfuel-foundation

MindFuel was pleased to welcome ten young innovators, ages 12–15, to MindFuel for a week of hands-on STEM learning as part of the Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance Robotics & Entrepreneurship Summer Camps 2026!

Throughout the week, participants rolled up their sleeves and explored robotics, design thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship through real-world challenges, putting their creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to apply solutions to Food Scarcity and Insecurity.

A special thank you to Dagmar Knutson, Executive Director of Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance, for helping us kick off the camp and inspiring our young innovators as they began their week.

Participants had the opportunity to learn from Steve Schultz of Lacombe Composite High School, mentor to the renowned United Robotics of Lacombe team. Steve and his team brought their experience and enthusiasm for robotics into the camp, helping students explore how ideas can move from imagination to design, testing and real-world application.

It was a fantastic week of building, experimenting, collaborating and learning —and a great reminder of what can happen when young people are given the tools and encouragement to turn their ideas into action.

Thank you to Ten Peaks Innovation Alliance for partnering with MindFuel to create another memorable summer STEM experience. We can’t wait to see where these young innovators take their ideas next!

At MindFuel, we know that preparing young people for the future starts by giving them opportunities to explore, create, and tackle real-world challenges today.

We’re grateful to Drax Canada Foundation for its ongoing commitment to STEM education and future-ready learning. Their continued support helps MindFuel deliver STEM programs to young people across Alberta and British Columbia. Through hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving, these programs spark curiosity, foster creativity, and give youth the confidence to explore what’s possible in STEM and innovation.

Together, we’re helping students develop the creativity, confidence, and skills they need to turn ideas into possibilities —and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Thank you, Drax Foundation, for investing in Canada’s next generation of innovators.