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MindFuel to expand Tech Futures Challenge and programming for under-represented youth with renewed funding from Drax Foundation

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1 year ago

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Indigenous youth in BC and AB empowered through STEM innovation learning

CALGARY, AB, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ – The MindFuel Foundation (MindFuel) is pleased to announce the second round of funding approved by Drax, a UK-based renewable energy company, whose international operations also include Canada. Through the charitable arm, Drax Foundation, MindFuel has received $100,000 CAD in grant funding in support of “Tech Futures Challenge: Expansion of Empowering Indigenous & Under-served Youth in BC and AB”, a program that delivers STEM and innovation skills development to youth, with focus on Indigenous youth and rural communities.

MindFuel’s mission to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) in youth and inspire them to shape our future by becoming the problem-solvers of tomorrow is well aligned with one of the focus areas of the Drax Foundation, “improving equitable access to STEM education”. Over the past five years, MindFuel has worked closely with many Indigenous communities, schools and organizations, including the Dene Tha’ First Nation and Northland School Division in Alberta and Tsay Keh Dene Nation in British Columbia, bringing technology and science into their schools and opening opportunities for Indigenous youth to explore possibilities for learning and reaching their full potential through STEM and innovation.

“I’d like to thank the Drax Foundation for its generous and continued support of our STEM innovation programming,” says Cassy Weber, CEO, MindFuel. “In our recent 10-year study, we learned that 87% of youth surveyed reported having an increased interest in innovation and entrepreneurship, due to positive attitudinal impacts they experienced through engagement in our programming. Additionally, 95% of youth reported that our programming positively influenced their post- secondary and career choices in a related STEM field.”

MindFuel’s Tech Futures Challenge (TFC) program inspires and invites youth to form teams and select sustainability challenges in their communities they are passionate about and would like to solve them through STEM and innovation. With support from MindFuel and its Connect2Innovate platform, youth also gain access to mentors in industry and academia, and build mentors / industry / peer networks. Through applied learning, using emerging technologies including coding, machine learning, robotics, synthetic biology and more, youth create prototype solutions, which are evaluated at MindFuel-hosted workshops by industry expert judges.

“Organizations like MindFuel are critically important to rural and Indigenous communities as they support youth with programming that is not readily available locally, and critically, this programming has demonstrated positive impacts in helping youth to build their best futures,” says Sandy Sung, Community Manager for Drax Canada. “Improving STEM education is one of Drax’s investment priorities, and we are excited to work with MindFuel to support the important work of helping youth to become inspired, curious, innovative, and creative regarding the world around them.”

About Drax

Drax Group’s mission is to help meet the world’s increasing demand for secure energy, sustainably, by reaching net zero by the end of 2040 across their value chain, supporting biodiversity across their sites and in their value chain by the end of 2030, and seeking to make a positive contribution to the lives and livelihoods of the colleagues, communities, and workers in their supply chain by 2030. For more information, visit http://www.drax.com/ca

Launched in March 2023, the Drax Foundation funds initiatives that support education and skills development in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), as well as those that improve green spaces, enhance biodiversity and support Indigenous communities within the communities Drax operations. To learn more about the Drax Foundation and community projects that Drax has previously funded, visit Our communities – Drax Canada

About MindFuel
The MindFuel Foundation (formerly Science Alberta Foundation) is a registered charitable organization committed to creating youth innovation talent. Since 1990, we have been developing and distributing captivating, high-quality, 21st century programs that ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) innovation in K-12 and collegiate aged students. The programs are technology based, and technology infused, developed to serve both in-class and extracurricular learning. To date, MindFuel has invested over $130M into Canada’s innovation ecosystem in over 1,600 communities, serving youth populations, including Indigenous students, females in STEM, economically disadvantaged youth, remote/rural students, racialized youth, and newcomers to Canada.

MindFuel also delivers eLearning programming through its wholly owned subsidiary, Wonderville Enterprises Ltd., which reaches hundreds of thousands of teachers, students, and parents each year in every province and territory, supporting over 620,000 learning sessions annually in Canada, and over 6,000,000 globally. Since inception, MindFuel has delivered over 165,000,000 learning sessions in over 190 countries with its online STEM programs.
For more information, please visit mindfuel.ca

SOURCE The MindFuel Foundation

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Lubbock Plastic Surgeon Dr. Thanapoom Boonipat Leads Suturing Workshop for Texas Tech Women in STEM Premed Students

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4 hours ago

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October 25, 2026

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Suturing workshop

LUBBOCK, Texas, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dr. Thanapoom “Mo” Boonipat, plastic surgeon and founder of FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute in Lubbock, led a hands-on suturing workshop and career Q&A session for premed students at Texas Tech University. The event was organized by Women in STEM at Texas Tech University.

During the workshop, students practiced suturing fundamentals on suture pads using surgical instruments, with Dr. Boonipat demonstrating technique and coaching students individually. The session also included an open discussion about the path to a career in medicine, including medical school, residency training, and choosing a surgical specialty.

“Every surgeon remembers the first time they held a needle driver. Giving premed students that experience early — along with honest answers about the road ahead — can make the path into medicine feel real and reachable. I was glad to spend the afternoon with such motivated students.” — Dr. Thanapoom Boonipat

“Organizations like Women in STEM do important work connecting young women with mentors and hands-on experience in fields where they are still underrepresented, including surgery. FacePlus is proud to support that effort here in our own community in Lubbock.” — Dr. Thanapoom Boonipat

Women in STEM is a Texas Tech University student organization that supports women pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Events like this connect students with practicing professionals and give them early, practical exposure to clinical skills.

Dr. Boonipat is a plastic and craniofacial surgeon. His training includes an integrated plastic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic and a craniofacial, maxillofacial, and facial aesthetics fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, following medical school at Dartmouth and undergraduate study in biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins. He founded FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute in Lubbock in 2024.

About FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute:
FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute is a plastic surgery practice in Lubbock, Texas, founded by Thanapoom Boonipat, MD. The practice provides cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, including facial, breast, and body procedures, serving patients in Lubbock and across West Texas. For more information, visit facepluspsi.com.

Media Contact:
FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute
moboonipatmd@facepluspsi.com
(806) 503-2090
Lubbock, Texas

Press Release Service provided by 24-7PressRelease.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lubbock-plastic-surgeon-dr-thanapoom-boonipat-leads-suturing-workshop-for-texas-tech-women-in-stem-premed-students-302918808.html

SOURCE FacePlus Plastic Surgery Institute

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Vantrue Announces Early Black Friday Sale with Up to 44% Off Select Dash Cams

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7 hours ago

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October 25, 2026

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November 1–21, 2026 | Official Website: Vantrue.com

SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vantrue, a dash cam brand dedicated to helping drivers capture the road with confidence, is launching its three-week Black Friday campaign from November 1 to November 21, 2026. The event brings together discounts of up to 44% on selected dash cams, a 100% win-rate prize wheel for subscribers, and exclusive bidding events, giving drivers multiple ways to discover and save on Vantrue products.

Every Eligible Spin Wins a Prize

The Black Friday excitement starts with Vantrue’s 100% win-rate spin wheel. Visitors can subscribe through the official website and spin for a chance to receive exciting rewards, including the latest Vantrue dash cams, special prize bundles, and other surprises. Each subscriber is eligible for one spin during the campaign.

Black Friday Deals in Two Waves

Vantrue’s Black Friday offers will roll out in two waves, featuring discounts on selected dash cams for everyday drivers, rideshare professionals, and those looking to upgrade their in-car recording setup.

Wave 1: November 1–10, 2026

Vantrue E1 Lite: 36% off — $69.99 (regular price: $109.99)
 Vantrue N2X: 36% off — $159.99 (regular price: $249.99)
 Vantrue N4S: 44% off — $199.99 (regular price: $359.99)
 

Wave 2: November 11–21, 2026

Vantrue E1 Pro S: 35% off — $129.99 (regular price: $199.99)
 Vantrue N5S: 36% off — $293.99 (regular price: $459.99)
 Vantrue N4 Pro S: 40% off — $279.99 (regular price: $469.99)
 

Exclusive Bidding Events Add More Excitement

In addition to the promotional pricing, Vantrue will host two special bidding events, offering participants another way to pursue selected dash cams at competitive prices.

BID #1: November 5–7, 2026 — Bid on featured products for a chance to secure them at a lower price.BID #2: November 12–14, 2026 — Return for another opportunity to bid on premium models.

With multiple ways to participate throughout the three-week event, Vantrue’s Black Friday campaign combines savings, interactive rewards, and special shopping opportunities in one destination.

Join Vantrue’s Black Friday Event

From November 1 through November 21, 2026, drivers can explore the latest offers, take part in the prize wheel, and join the bidding events through Vantrue’s official website.

Visit https://www.vantrue.com/ for campaign details and product offers.

About Vantrue

Founded in 2015, Vantrue is a leading global dash cam brand dedicated to providing intelligent, reliable, and user-centric driving solutions. With a focus on innovative technology, dependable performance, and user-friendly design, Vantrue develops dash cams for everyday drivers, families, and professionals on the road. Committed to helping drivers capture every journey with greater confidence and peace of mind, Vantrue continues to innovate to make every drive safer and every moment worth capturing.

Media Contact
Vantrue Media Relations
Email: support@vantrue.net
Website: https://www.vantrue.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vantrue-announces-early-black-friday-sale-with-up-to-44-off-select-dash-cams-302918196.html

SOURCE Vantrue

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LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions Introduces Field Clarity for LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) at IACP 2026

Published

10 hours ago

on

October 25, 2026

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A new, modern DORS and Field Clarity, the First AI-Guided Smartphone Video Assistant, Enhances Community Experience and Helps Improve Evidence, Case Building

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LexisNexis® Coplogic™ Solutions today announced its modernized LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) community online reporting solution and the addition of DORS with Field Clarity, an AI-guided video assistant designed to improve field documentation accuracy and enable faster resolution by law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Field Clarity is designed to help community members submit reports to their local LEAs using DORS via intuitive step-by-step instructions. A hands-on experience for DORS with Field Clarity will be available for demonstration during the 2026 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) annual conference.

“Agencies generally look to strategic partners like us not just for technology, but also for relief, reinforcement, and credibility across three tightly connected challenges: public expectation, workforce strain and digital evidence overload,” said Jason LaRue, associate vice president, LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions. “Our modernized LexisNexis Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) helps agencies improve officer safety along with community member experiences. Field Clarity strengthens video evidence quality and digital evidence management to reduce friction and alleviate strain on a challenged workforce.”

Key Highlights
Integrated into LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS), Field Clarity is the first AI-Guided video assistant for community member online reporting that:

Transforms data capture from passive intake into intelligent, guided capture to help create more positive officer and civilian mobile-first experiencesDrives more accurate field documentation, evidence and case building to help with faster resolution and enhanced public safetyBenefits civilians submitting reports with intuitive, step-by-step instructions, almost like having a digital assistant with them in real timeBenefits officers by bringing video, photos and scanned data together for a clearer picture of an event without the need to track down additional details

How the DORS with Field Clarity Solution Works
DORS allows each law enforcement agency to collect information directly from civilians on more than 200 incident types based on the needs of their community. DORS and Field Clarity make the filing of an online report experience easier by guiding users intuitively through each step of the process on their smartphone device, similar to having a personal digital assistant. Instead of asking a driver, for example, to fill out forms and guess what’s needed, the Field Clarity conversational interface prompts them to scan their driver’s license, capture a VIN or record a short walkaround video explaining what happened during the incident, all while capturing the data necessary to complete the report.

For civilians, being able to easily film on-scene evidence means less confusion and need for reentries or follow-up by the sworn officer responsible for approving reports. For officers, the benefits include cleaner, more complete accident reports and less time spent requesting and gathering additional details. With reports fed directly into the agency’s Record Management System (RMS), law enforcement also benefits from more efficient workflows and stronger documented cases for their investigators. DORS is used by nearly 600 agencies in North America, saving agencies approximately 900,000 personnel hours and $90 million annually*

“Trust in law enforcement is built one interaction at a time. Every opportunity for a community member to engage with their police department matters, including something as routine as filing a report,” said Sarah E. Connolly, co-founder of Guardian Communications, FBI-LEEDA instructor and retired Baltimore Police lieutenant and PIO. “When technology makes that process easier, improves the quality of information collected and supports a more responsive agency, it has the potential to do more than improve efficiency. It can help strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.”

LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions delivers solutions and capabilities that can create a clearer line of sight from the field to law enforcement leadership, strengthening the connection between daily operations, workforce support, data management and community trust. DORS with Field Clarity is available through LexisNexis® Command Center, a single access point to the LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions data and analytics solutions suite, including LexisNexis®  BuyCrash®, LexisNexis® eCrash and LexisNexis® eCitation solutions. Coplogic Solutions also offers Unified Performance Dashboards for crash and citation mapping and illustrated visualizations, which connect field data with contextual insight in a single, coherent view – so law enforcement leaders can better understand and more confidently explain to their communities not just what is happening in near-real time, but also why. 

To speak with Coplogic law enforcement experts about LexisNexis Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS) with Field Clarity and experience the solution firsthand, visit LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions at IACP Booth #941, October 24 – 27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. To learn more, check out this video: LexisNexis® Desk Officer Reporting System (DORS).

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions
LexisNexis® Risk Solutions provides customers with information-based analytics and decision tools that combine public and industry-specific content with advanced technology and algorithms to assist them in evaluating and predicting risk and enhancing operational efficiency. Headquartered in metro Atlanta, Georgia, the company has offices throughout the world, serves customers in more than 190 countries and territories and is part of RELX. For more information, please visit LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

About LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions
LexisNexis® Coplogic™ Solutions is committed to meeting law enforcement agencies where they are on the road to saving more lives and helping take them where they want to be by delivering an innovative full suite of data sophistication solutions to create workflow efficiencies while delivering world-class crash and citation data and analytics visualizations through advanced technology. Our proven solutions, developed by and specifically for law enforcement, can help agencies operate more effectively, increase services to their communities and improve traffic and overall public safety through electronic, mobile-first authoring capabilities, web-based eCommerce solutions, analytics and more. For more information, please visit risk.lexisnexis.com/Coplogic.

Media Contacts: 
Chaz Abbott
LexisNexis Risk Solutions
chaz.abbott@lexisnexisrisk.com
+1 949.922.1167

*Based on a 2025 LexisNexis Coplogic Solutions internal study

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lexisnexis-coplogic-solutions-introduces-field-clarity-for-lexisnexis-desk-officer-reporting-system-dors-at-iacp-2026-302918694.html

SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions

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