Techsploration, an organization that aims to attract young women to science-related careers, is expanding its scholarship program with the launch of its 20 Scholarships to Celebrate 20 Years campaign.

The campaign has already received more than $20,000 in total scholarship commitments, marking the organization’s largest scholarship total to date.

“Our aim is to help remove financial barriers to post-secondary education for our alumnae and young women in our region who want to pursue a career path in science, trades, or technology,” said Arylene Reycraft, the Executive Director of Techsploration. “In many cases, career paths in those fields are uncharted territory for women, and we want that to change.”

Techsploration works with young women in Grades 9 through 12 to encourage and support students with an interest in science. The Halifax non-profit’s scholarships and bursaries provide financial support for young women in Nova Scotia to further their post-secondary education in fields where women are typically underrepresented.

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“I was awarded the first Techsploration scholarship in 2002,” said alumna Margaret Davidson in a statement. “I was one of two women in my program. This scholarship helped me focus on doing my course load, instead of worrying about how I would make my tuition payments.”

Organizations such as Acadia University, Dalhousie University, REDspace, and Digital Nova Scotia contributed the scholarships, which will be awarded for the coming school year. Organizations interested in contributing to Techsploration’s scholarship campaign can do so until Feb. 20.

Techsploration made the announcement at its annual launch and 20th anniversary kick-off to an audience of industry sponsors, alumnae, teachers, role models, and volunteers. Additional details on each individual scholarship will be available in January.