By Rosalind Russell – At just 17, Manitoulin Island’s Amara Wilson-Zegil is breaking down barriers to STEM education for children in rural and Northern Ontario, ensuring opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math aren’t limited by geography or income.
On October 16, she will receive the Together We Rise Award for Equitable Education and Opportunities at Children First Canada’s Future is NOW! Awards in Toronto, recognizing her as one of the country’s Top 10 Young Changemakers.
As captain of an award-winning robotics program, she has led a team of some 100 students introducing robotics to 1,800+ children in six elementary schools, helped deliver free and pay-what-you-can robotics camps, and authored a children’s book on robotics, with proceeds supporting STEM programs in rural communities.
She is also developing Project RISE, an initiative aimed at expanding STEM opportunities across Northern Ontario.
Children First Canada will roll out the red carpet for Wilson–Zegil and nine other young leaders, convene 40 youth changemakers, and unveil its 2030 strategy for Canada’s 8 million children as part of the ceremony.
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