Rachael Craig learned to love technology in childhood. Now she’s spearheading Brilliant Labs in Nova Scotia, as the Atlantic initiative that promotes technology to school kids gains traction within the province.
Craig, 31, has only been in her role as the Nova Scotia director of Brilliant Labs for the last month, but she is beginning to forge the kind of private and public partnerships that have made the group successful in neighbouring New Brunswick.
“I’m exploring opportunities for collaborating with other groups that are already working to promote computer programming to kids in Nova Scotia,” said Craig from her base at Volta Labs on Halifax’s Spring Garden Road.
“This work needs community involvement. The kind of change we want to see in Nova Scotia requires partnerships.”
Brilliant Labs aims to boost innovation by increasing education in science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, arts and mathematics.
The organization began in New Brunswick in March, but through its relationships with the New Brunswick government and organizations such as Science East, it has already accomplished a lot.
In the last few months, Brilliant Labs has identified seven sites for Makerspaces in New Brunswick schools, one in each school district.
Makerspaces are spaces where people gather to create, invent and learn. They often have equipment such as 3D printers, software, electronics and tools.
The Brilliant Labs Makerspaces will be complete before Christmas. The group has also helped fund 14 Brilliant Projects in New Brunswick schools, most at a cost of less than $2,000.
Jeff Willson, executive director of Brilliant Labs, said projects include an underwater robot that will be used to study the Miramichi River, as well as wearable electronics, a 3D printer and mini Makerspaces.
“In the spring, we partnered with other groups to run a high school challenge,” Willson said.
“Entries included a tracking bracelet that can be used to locate fishermen lost at sea. The young inventor is already exploring the patenting process.”
Willson said the group plans to grow regionally and maybe nationally with the help of its growing network of partners.
The Brilliant Labs story began when Fredericton’s David Alston, chief innovation officer of Introhive, began to work with then-New Brunswick Premier David Alward on promoting coding in schools.
Brilliant Labs’ high-profile supporters include Jevon MacDonald and Gavin Uhma. The founders of the successful tech company GoInstant have helped found Volta Labs and the program for startups now piloting at the University of Cape Breton.
“Jevon MacDonald is championing Brilliant Labs in Nova Scotia,” Craig said.
“The project was also well received by the oneNS Coalition (which is building on the work of the Nova Scotia Commission on Building Our New Economy) when presented in September.”
For Craig, her new role dovetails with her existing role as president of AtlanticSpark, a non-profit that supports the startup community through targeted events, specialized training and related services.
The Nova Scotia-born neuroscience grad has also been involved in developing educational games.
Craig traces her love of technology back to her father, a mechanic and entrepreneur, who ensured that his daughter always had access to a computer and encouraged her to play, experiment and build.
She is keen to build on the success Brilliant Labs has achieved in New Brunswick.
“It’s cool to see 40 kids engaged in a Makerspace at lunchtime, to see them developing the skills they need with their peers,” she said.
“We want the youth of Nova Scotia to benefit in the same way.”
Disclaimer: Entrevestor receives financial support from government agencies that support startup companies in Atlantic Canada. The sponsoring agencies play no role in determining which companies and individuals are featured in this column, nor do they review columns before they are published.
