Fueling passions for technology and engineering in Indigenous youth

Making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education accessible to everyone, especially to communities that have been historically underrepresented in the STEM sector, is central to the mission of the Faculty of Engineering’s Outreach team.

It’s why bringing STEM activities to youth in their communities and delivering summer camps and workshops outside of Ottawa have been a part of their programming for 30 years.

Recently, the Engineering Outreach team had the privilege of visiting the community of Kangiqsualujjuaq, in Nunavik, to offer technology workshops to students at Ulluriaq school.

From October 31 to November 4, students in Grades 5 to 8 took part in robotic activities and learned to code using Sphero robots, small spheres that can be programmed using a tablet. The students built mazes and then programmed the robots to go through them.

“It was truly a privilege to be welcomed by the community and to interact with the students at Ulluriaq,” said Tasfiq Hossain, an Engineering Outreach officer who was part of the trip. “Seeing eyes light up while delivering those workshops was something I’ll never forget. I hope that, at the least, we have sparked an interest in STEM, and that it was a comfortable and respectful learning experience for the students.” 

The uOttawa team also helped the school set up their  brand-new 3D printer and taught the teachers how to use it. Students were introduced to 3D printing through workshops where they learned how to design in 3D and print their 3D creations. In collaboration with the school, the team modelled  an ulu (or uluk), the traditional curved-bladed Inuit knife that Inuit women use to skin and clean animals, and 3D printed a small version of it for the students. 

Heather Fitzpatrick has been a science teacher at Ulluriaq School for the past 13 years. “Having people from outside the village visiting the school and show the kids new opportunities is important to expose them to the outside world,” Fitzpatrick mentions. “Some of the kids have never left their village. It is important to give them a taste of what exists outside and inspire them to continue their studies.” 

This trip to Nunavik is the most recent in a range of initiatives for Indigenous youth offered by the Faculty of Engineering’s Outreach team. For many years, the Maker Mobile has travelled to Indigenous communities to deliver summer camps and workshops, reaching youth directly in their communities. In the past, the team has visited Indigenous communities such as Sheshegwaning, Nipissing First Nation, Akwesasne, Sudbury, KTI, Kitigan Zibi, Whitefish River.  

“It’s crucial to make STEM accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background, gender, or ethnicity, to promote equality,” states Julie Olivier, manager of Engineering Outreach. “Diversity in STEM leads to a broader range of perspectives and ideas. It fosters innovation by bringing in different viewpoints and encouraging creative problem-solving. Many of the world’s pressing challenges, such as climate change, health care, and sustainable energy require STEM solutions. By making STEM education accessible, we hope to ignite interest in these fields and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.”

The Maker Mobile initiative helps us turn that vision into reality by eliminating the barrier of distance. It allows us to bring in-person workshops to youth where they are, meeting them in their communities and sharing in that experience with them.

The Engineering Outreach team will continue to work with the students at Ulluriaq to offer online STEM workshops in the coming weeks.