Camp - Combining Engineering, Science and Health with Traditional Ways of Knowing
According to a 2006 Caledon Institute Report 61% of aboriginal youth between the ages of 20 and 24 living on reserve in Alberta had not completed high school.
DiscoverE has been delivering community centered aboriginal science outreach programs since 2000. Not only do DiscoverE camps increase scientific literacy, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity and confidence they also get youth excited about learning inside and outside the classroom. In 2011, one aboriginal camper said, "I wish science in school was like this." and another commented to their university student camp instructor that, "I want to go to university when I'm old too." Our hands-on, fun approach to science education changes kids attitudes about learning. Our delivery methods teach them to work through challenges and our young university student instructors inspire them to stay in school and pursue post-secondary education. Our activities are developed so they build from what the children already know, connect to the things that are important to them and challenge them to learn new things or develop new skills.
When working in remote and aboriginal communities we do our very best to connect campers to the scientists in their communities through tours and mentor presentations. We believe that engineering, science and technology are all around us, no matter where we live and we make certain that kids know that, while their DiscoverE instructors do bring some pretty amazing demonstrations and unique projects, science doesn’t leave in the bins they take home with them.
We also make our programs relevant to aboriginal communities by incorporating important social issues, like health, into the projects and presentations.
In 2011, we were thrilled to partner with Alexis Health Services and deliver two camps on Alexis First Nation. Aboriginal elders were integral to the planning and delivery and taught the campers about drums and how to set up a teepee. Later in the week a dietician mentor from the U of A also visited and did experiments about sugar and other ingredients in food and drinks. The week wrapped up with a community BBQ with representatives from Treaty 6, Health Canada, Alexis School, Alexis Health Services, and the Alexis Band Council. The camp was excellent because it showed campers the benefits of science and engineering and also traditional knowledge, "I really liked Marble Works, Tipi Building, and Drum Making. I liked tipi building and drums because it taught me more about the cultural aspects and why they’re important." The campers also got a chance to learn about anatomy, both through the body mapping project and a dissection, "My favorite part of camp was dissecting the heart. That was awesome!" Within a day of the camp finishing, DiscoverE received an email from our Alexis Health Services contact saying, "Thank you for all your help in coordinating the Alexis Health Services/DiscoverE Summer Science Camp. I considered it a success!! The children had a lot of fun and the instructors were super! People in the community are saying that it should be an annual event."
The community would like this to become an annual event, and DiscoverE would be thrilled to secure funding that would make that possible.
About You
About You
First Name
Amy
Last Name
Smith
Confirm a user name that will be displayed publicly to identify your entry
DiscoverE
About You, Your Group, or Your Organization
Name
DiscoverE
Country
Canada, AB
Please confirm that this project could benefit First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples
Yes
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
Youtube URL
What categories best describe who your group or organization serves (check all that apply)
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
What best describes your group or organization
Non-profit organization.
How long have you, your group, or your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Innovation
Name Your Project.
Camp - Combining Engineering, Science and Health with Traditional Ways of Knowing
Tell us the story of your idea or project
According to a 2006 Caledon Institute Report 61% of aboriginal youth between the ages of 20 and 24 living on reserve in Alberta had not completed high school.
DiscoverE has been delivering community centered aboriginal science outreach programs since 2000. Not only do DiscoverE camps increase scientific literacy, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity and confidence they also get youth excited about learning inside and outside the classroom. In 2011, one aboriginal camper said, "I wish science in school was like this." and another commented to their university student camp instructor that, "I want to go to university when I'm old too." Our hands-on, fun approach to science education changes kids attitudes about learning. Our delivery methods teach them to work through challenges and our young university student instructors inspire them to stay in school and pursue post-secondary education. Our activities are developed so they build from what the children already know, connect to the things that are important to them and challenge them to learn new things or develop new skills.
When working in remote and aboriginal communities we do our very best to connect campers to the scientists in their communities through tours and mentor presentations. We believe that engineering, science and technology are all around us, no matter where we live and we make certain that kids know that, while their DiscoverE instructors do bring some pretty amazing demonstrations and unique projects, science doesn’t leave in the bins they take home with them.
We also make our programs relevant to aboriginal communities by incorporating important social issues, like health, into the projects and presentations.
In 2011, we were thrilled to partner with Alexis Health Services and deliver two camps on Alexis First Nation. Aboriginal elders were integral to the planning and delivery and taught the campers about drums and how to set up a teepee. Later in the week a dietician mentor from the U of A also visited and did experiments about sugar and other ingredients in food and drinks. The week wrapped up with a community BBQ with representatives from Treaty 6, Health Canada, Alexis School, Alexis Health Services, and the Alexis Band Council. The camp was excellent because it showed campers the benefits of science and engineering and also traditional knowledge, "I really liked Marble Works, Tipi Building, and Drum Making. I liked tipi building and drums because it taught me more about the cultural aspects and why they’re important." The campers also got a chance to learn about anatomy, both through the body mapping project and a dissection, "My favorite part of camp was dissecting the heart. That was awesome!" Within a day of the camp finishing, DiscoverE received an email from our Alexis Health Services contact saying, "Thank you for all your help in coordinating the Alexis Health Services/DiscoverE Summer Science Camp. I considered it a success!! The children had a lot of fun and the instructors were super! People in the community are saying that it should be an annual event."
The community would like this to become an annual event, and DiscoverE would be thrilled to secure funding that would make that possible.
Define your idea / project in 1-2 short sentences
An Alexis FN Health Sciences Camp that combines traditional ways of knowing with career awareness, facility tours and fun, hands-on projects and dissections.
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (the project is up and running and is starting to move forward)
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Please tell us about the social impact of your idea or proect
This Health Science camp would be an opportunity for aboriginal youth to be inspired by university student mentors; develop critical skills, attitudes and knowledge in STEM; and learn to solve problems and work through challenges. In short, it will change the lives of these high-risk youth. We hear from community members who work with youth just how important our programs are, “These camps are so great. They were really great last year too. It is so important to bring things like this into northern communities. Anything to keep the kids learning in the summer.” – Cst. Steve Johnson
Your Future Goal(s): Tell us what you hope to achieve with your idea or project in the next year
We hope to reach 50 youth from the Alexis First Nation in 2012 with the message that they can enjoy and have success in STEM.
In 5 years, what will be different as a result of your idea/project?
Currently there is a large disparity in graduation rates between aboriginal and non-aboriginal youth in Canada. These youth are also under-represented in STEM post-secondary programs and careers. Assessment of our programs through parent and camper surveys and pre-test/post-test surveys confirms that DiscoverE camps and clubs increase: interest in engineering and science, confidence in school, confidence in solving problems and their perceived performance in science and math ("Are you good at science and math?"). We are confident that our work in 15 aboriginal communities in northern Alberta and the Northwest territories will contribute to increased graduation rates amoung aboriginal youth and increased scientific literacy in these communities.
Sustainability
Tell us about the people/ partnerships that are already involved and why they are important to your idea or project.
DiscoverE has a long list of committed industry partners who contribute a large portion of our annual revenue each year. Our PromoScience NSERC grant as well as funding from Actua's National Aboriginal Outreach Program also support our work. As an initiative of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta we receive special initiatives funding as well as tens of thousands of dollars of in-kind support to host and administer our operations.
If there are other people/partners that you will reach out to tell us who they are and why they will be important to your idea or project.
DiscoverE delivers community centered programs by meeting individual community needs, connecting youth to the STEM industries in their areas and demonstrating long term investment in the youth of the communities we reach so that these communities step forward as equal partners in the camp programs. Working with aboriginal elders, hosting community meetings and seeking guidance from the Aboriginal Student Services Centre on campus improved our relationships with the 15 aboriginal communities that host DiscoverE camps each summer.
Describe the kinds of support you receive (other than money) or will need to support your idea or project (e.g.: donated, space, equipment and volunteers)
The office space and administrative support received from the Faculty of Engineering is critical to our success and the success of the Alexis Health Science Camp. We are also honored to have the support of the community of Alexis, in particular Barb Paul with Alexis Health Services. Participation by community elders and health care professionals, as well as mentors from the U of A will also be critical in the continued success of this program.
Do you currently have funding for your idea or project?
No (skip next two questions)
 | 66 weeks ago Amy Buskirk said: It’s great that you tracked face time and number of communities served for your Aboriginal Impact Report. Have you also tracked (or are ... about this Competition Entry. - read more > |
| 72 weeks ago Shelagh Pyper updated this Competition Entry. |
| 72 weeks ago Shelagh Pyper updated this Competition Entry. |
| 72 weeks ago Shelagh Pyper updated this Competition Entry. |
| 73 weeks ago Shelagh Pyper submitted this idea. |
