About Us
LAUNCH is on a mission to transform STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) programming from moment-in-time touchpoints to a continuous model of engagement that most Canadians are familiar with...
minor sports!
LAUNCH programs are focused on ensuring ALL youth, despite economic status, geographic location, or abilities have access to programs that may change their lives.
Get in the game and join us as we make STEAM a team sport!
Staff & Coaches
Josie Bird
Director, Engagement and Marketing
I am thrilled to be a member of the LAUNCH team and help shape its future. My career has always been focused on marketing and engagement, working in various industry sectors, including construction, renewable energy and at the world-renowned Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. My experience working in these vastly different industries has formed my love for STEAM and STEAM outreach.
When I'm not working with our amazing team, you can find my husband and I enjoying the outdoors. I am passionate about living life to the fullest, travelling and exploring this amazing country I now call home.
Meet our Board
Tobi Day-Hamilton
Co-founder and Executive Director
LAUNCH is my passion project. After an amazing career working with world-leading companies, universities, researchers and more, I'm thrilled that our vision for LAUNCH is coming to life. In 2018, when we started LAUNCH, we wanted to inspire kids to explore science, technology, engineering, art and math because we knew these were the areas of the future. Today, we've welcomed hundreds of kids to our teams and I can't wait to see what they do next!
I am also a Governor with the Grand River Hospital Foundation, a board member for the Canadian Association of Science Centres, a Regional Co-chair for the 2021 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and I seek adventure at every turn.
Angela Olano
Co-founder, VP Marketing and Operations
After working in and with museums, galleries and science centres for fourteen years, I can definitely say I have found my niche! I have worked with world-renowned quantum scientists at the Institute for Quantum Computing, on exhibition marketing with the Art Gallery of Ontario and THEMUSEUM. I developed the national tour of the first-ever travelling exhibition on quantum science and information technology, QUANTUM: The Exhibition – a Canada 150 Signature Initiative that was hosted by science centres across the country. I’ve also lead the development of the popular game app Quantum Cats, helped IQC win a Guinness World Record and travelled a quantum pop-up exhibition all around Europe.
I am now the Donor Marketing Director at Grand River Hospital Foundation and a proud member of the LAUNCH team.
Adele Newton
Co-founder
Science outreach has been my passion throughout my career. I firmly believe that successful outreach programs can change lives by making young people aware of education and career opportunities available to them. I have developed and managed a broad range of programs and strategic international partnerships in the university, technology and not-for-profit sectors across Canada, within North America and in Africa, Europe and China. My career has focused on connecting diverse partners from technology, science and the arts to work together on exciting and innovative projects.
I am a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and am active in the community as an Executive Committee member of the Waterloo Region Chapter of Women in Communication and Technology and chair of the Communications Committee for ACM SIGGRAPH.
Scott Higgins
Visionary
Scott is President of HIP Developments and has over 15 years of real estate and corporate finance experience. At HIP he actively participates in all aspects of the business, including acquisitions, finance, investment partnerships, design & development, construction, sales & marketing and dispositions.
HIP Developments was founded in 2012 after a partnership was formed between long time Waterloo-based general contractor Melloul-Blamey and long time KW real estate financier Scott Higgins. Their first project was a purpose built rental apartment in Cambridge in a partnership with Killam Properties REIT. Since those early days the growth of this local developer has been tremendous and they are now tackling some the largest and most progressive projects in Waterloo Region.
Loyalist College Teams Up with LAUNCH to Offer STEAM Summer Kids' Camps
Registration is open for several online science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) summer camps for children, offered by Loyalist College through social enterprise LAUNCH. Designed for children entering grades one through eight, the one-week camps, which begin July 5, incorporate STEAM subjects into everything from animation and architecture to creative storytelling, understanding laws of motion and building rockets. Campers explore fun and interactive activities, guided by caring camp leaders, using materials from a customized gift box they receive in advance.
“Our partnership with LAUNCH is the beginning of something special for campers in our Bay of Quinte region, as well as Loyalist College students who we plan to engage as camp leaders in future years,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “The focus on STEAM aligns perfectly with one of the six industry clusters around which we offer innovative programs and applied research to meet market needs. Through the camp’s fun, hands-on team-building activities, we hope to inspire and empower children to pursue STEAM in their future academic journeys.”
“Kids are naturally curious,” says Tobi Day-Hamilton, co-founder of LAUNCH. “STEAM camps foster that curiosity and inspire kids to explore the world around them in new and interesting ways. I’m excited to partner with Loyalist College and help more children and youth discover the wonders of science and technology.”
LAUNCH also offers STEAM League, an eight-week, after school program that includes practices, team-based learning and an end-of-season tournament. The program features fun, hands-on activities in various aspects of STEAM, supported by HIP Developments, Google.org and the Bosch Community Fund.
LAUNCH in the News
May 2021 - Quinte News - Loyalist College offers children’s summer camps
Oct 2020 - Breakfast Television - STEAM-related activities with LAUNCH
Oct 2020 - NewsTalk 1010 - Launching into 'STEAM' Learning
Sep 2020 - Barrie360 - Kids Can Learn and Take Part in Some Friendly Competition with STEAM League
Feb 2019 -570 News - LAUNCH Waterloo and Google hosting free STEAM tournament for kids (1:51:09)
Apr 2018 - CBC - Science centre part of proposed Waterloo condo development
Apr 2018 - Communitech News - HIP Development to Devote Five Floors of Building Project to LAUNCH Waterloo
Apr 2018 - Toronto.com - Launch Day gives children a chance to see STEAM in action
April 2018 - CBC - Science centre part of proposed Waterloo condo development
Feb 2018 - Waterloo Chronicle - Proposed uptown development to help promote STEAM
