SANIRAJAK/HALL BEACH
Let's Talk Science is ramping up its engagement with Nunavut schools.

Arnaqjuaq School's substitute teacher Eric Tungilik joined in the fun and learning with Let's Talk Science in Hall Beach during the second week of February. - photo courtesy of Let's Talk Science

The national outreach organization is a community-based program connecting educators and young people with volunteers to deliver a wide variety of meaningful science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities for students from kindergarten to Grade 12.

At Hall Beach's Arnaqjuaq School, a long-term partnership with an eye to developing a community greenhouse, which would begin modestly in the school, is on the radar.

"It's a real opportunity to do some really strong team-building with teachers. It's a great opportunity for the students to learn about where food comes from, and the work it takes," said principal Kim Hagarty.

The project will begin with each classroom taking on the organization's Tomatosphere program - offered annually to grades from K to 12 classrooms across Canada. But the greenhouse project is the school's long-term commitment with Let's Talk Science, said Hagarty.

"The other part of it, of course, is their visits here," she adds.

Let's Talk Science founder and president Dr. Bonnie Schmidt was in Hall Beach Feb. 10 to 16 during her first visit to Nunavut. She's usually the one wheeling and dealing, collecting financial support and partnerships for the many programs the organization offers across the country. The organization has 40 staff members, 3,500 volunteers, affiliations with 42 universities and colleges and numerous other partnerships.

"We've been going back to the schools over and over again. We've got a number of communities this year we've already been to two or three times," said Schmidt.

The goal, says Schmidt, is to have a real impact.

"Not just parachute into a school and then leave. But what is it the community needs? What is it the teachers need? And how can we support them so they can do what they want to do?"

Other Nunavut schools partnering with Let's Talk Science are in Cambridge Bay, Taloyoak, Iglulik, Iqaluit and Resolute.

"Our concern is making sure (the schools) don't become reliant on us and that we're able to bring new resources, new strategies for the teachers to be able to use themselves so that on all of the days school kids are engaged in their learning."

What is notable about the Let's Talk Science programming is how neatly it meshes western science with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit by using STEM as a platform for learning across subjects. Observing, questioning and coming up with solutions are at the heart of the learning approach, as is teaching students to take ownership of their learning.

"It's not just about STEM, not just about the science content," said Schmidt. "For us at Let's Talk Science it's how do you use science, tech, engineering and math to drive skill development. It's a big differentiation because you can build literacy through these STEM inquiries and much of what we were doing with the junior grades was using books they would have access to at the school library."

As an example, Schmidt offers the children's book the Very First Last Time, about a young Inuit girl in Nunavik who goes under the sea ice when the tide is out to gather mussels.

"We got to a point when she starts talking about using her knife as a lever. We stopped reading and the kids started building levers," said Schmidt

"They were fantastic. They got competitive with each other. They were building using very, very simple material and building levers that could hold three filled water bottles."

Schmidt points to students learning how to think, problem-solve and practise teamwork and communication.

"Look at the learning that's happening in a very different way. The teachers are not controlling it. They're provoking, they're coaching, they're enabling."

Hagarty is enthusiastic about this approach to teaching, with STEM as a starting point, especially in regards to the gardening project.

"It just goes right across the curriculum in so many different ways to do a project like this. And in terms of empowering the kids ... Knowledge is power," she said.

"It will start in the school. We're going to create a committee to be the driving force for the gardens in the classrooms, with the goal in mind of a greenhouse."

Eventually, the entire community can benefit.

"That's the point. To create some kind of sustainable garden that will help feed the community and provide food that is nutritious and affordable and available," said Hagarty.

"We are developing, right now, a four-year plan."

Hagarty agrees that a project of this kind also teaches the students a sense of responsibility for their own well-being and the well-being of their community.

"And I can't imagine the pride the students are going to have when they take home some tomatoes that they grow, or lettuce or beans or peas, whatever we grow. So, yes, it will create the responsibility to look after it, and when it comes to fruition, they can share."

Hagarty says it should teach the students all the basic Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles that are the foundation of education in Nunavut, such as stewardship of the land, serving others, sharing and taking the long view.

Schmidt says her organization is looking at translating some of its resources into Inuktitut, in collaboration with the schools.