Operating since 2003, Imhotep's Legacy Academy (ILA)'s mission is to increase the representation of persons of African heritage in STEM studies and careers. ILA does this through a suite of programs (e.g., after-school science experiments, robotics design & coding, computer programming, STEM tutoring, STEM Quiz Tournament & the Young, Gifted & Black Science Fair) designed to engage secondary school learners in hands-on activities that inform, inspire, and educate. K-12 participants are also eligible to apply for an ILA-TD Opportunity Scholarship to use towards STEM studies. ILA’s programs have a tiered-mentoring structure in which university STEM students of African heritage are hired to develop and deliver the programs and provide powerful role models to secondary school learners. ILA operations are governed by a Board of Directors (comprised of STEM educators, community and parent representatives) who provide mentorship to our university-student Program Staff. Besides its aforementioned core programs, ILA engages elementary and middle-school learners in summer activities: rocket-building and drone-building, STEM literacy, and math refreshers. As a responsive organization, ILA was able to transition its core programs to virtual delivery during the COVID-19 restrictions. In addition to the provision of secondary school programs, ILA provides university students with summer internships and research scholarships--sponsored in part by Dalhousie University faculties. 

ILA will host the ILA Youth Excellence Awards to recognize the work of ILA participants and program staff in STEM, to acknowledge the dedication of ILA`s Board of Directors, and to laud the commitment of sponsors and funders to our STEM programs. This year marks ILA's 20th year of operation. The theme for this year's event is Reset and Launch.