Careers explored through program
Summer camps and workshops held in 22 communities last year
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Monday, April 18, 2016
NUNAVUT
Thousands of Nunavummiut youth are exploring career opportunities in science and engineering thanks to an initiative spearheaded by the Government of Nunavut and an Ottawa-based charity organization.
Rock carver Harry Ikalukjuak demonstrates the geology of rock carving during a workshop in Iqaluit. - photo courtesy of Actua |
The I-SPY (independent science programs for youth) fund provides grants to develop and execute science-based extracurricular programming.
In 2015, the initiative funded two organizations, which saw programming reach 22 communities and 4,400 students across the territory. Students from kindergarten up to Grade 12 participated in workshops and camp sessions with specialized curricula adapted to their local economies and hands-on activities meant to introduce them to available career opportunities.
Ronnie Suluk, manager of community mining development for the Government of Nunavut, says the whole idea is to encourage youth to pursue Nunavut-specific careers in mining, engineering and health.
"It is pretty popular," he said. "Some of the young kids, their ... goal (now) is to become a doctor or a scientist or whatever. So that's a real positive."
Science summer camps were run in eight communities by non-profit organization Actua in 2015 with 30 children ages 7 to 12 participating in activities relating to plants, health, science, electricity and robotics.
A number of computer workshops were also offered through a partnership with Google, along with in-school sessions that saw scientists, educators and researchers from various disciplines travel to Nunavut to deliver presentations and workshops.
Leslie Cuthbertson, Actua senior director of strategy and organization development, says the main thing is drawing connections between science and real-world examples in the communities to take learning beyond the classroom.
"These week-long camp experiences introduce them to Northern development and related careers," she said. "The programming is delivered by undergraduate students in science and engineering who are excellent role models, and we partner with communities so kids can understand the development that is happening."
Cuthbertson said reaching youth of middle-school age is key because they are still open to exploring many possibilities career-wise. She said it also encourages them to continue with school and provides an incentive to finish high school.
"Evidence-based research shows this is a critical time to engage youth before decisions have been made about their future so they can be inspired to stay in school and pursue these careers," she said.
As more opportunities have become available in the mining sector, she said there will be a shortage of skilled labourers in the territory, so it is important to start preparing youth to fill those roles.
"There is absolutely a need with all the development that is happening throughout Nunavut, to build a skilled workforce that is led by Inuit people," she said.
"We're fulfilling a critical role in preparing young people to stay in school, to continue building their skills and continue their studies so they can be a part of that workforce."
In this way, involving elders and community volunteers is especially important, said Cuthbertson, so traditional knowledge can be applied to technical industries. For example, the process of finding carving stone and creating sculptures can be approached from a geological perspective.
"The youth get the message that the science they're learning isn't science we're bringing to them, it's science that's already in their community," she said. "When they understand that, they start to make the connection that they have a role to play as future leaders in the Inuit workforce."
