Spaces for youth
to tinker with technology to open in 13 First Nations in Nova Scotia
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STEM
maker labs are being rolled out at 13 First Nations schools
in Nova Scotia. (Luke Yoho/CBC)
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Mi'kmaq youth in Nova Scotia will have the chance to let their
imaginations run wild in new science and technology labs being introduced
to every First Nation in the province.
Canadian astronaut Col. Jeremy Hansen and Ulnooweg Development
Group Inc. unveiled a new educational space at the L'nu Sipuk Kina'Muokuom
(LSK) School in Sipekne'katik First Nation on Thursday. It's the
first of 13 maker labs, spaces which will allow children to develop
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills.
Maker labs aim to encourage youth to tinker and experiment,
using technology in creative ways.
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Canadian
astronaut Col. Jeremy Hansen unveiled the new maker lab at
LSK School in Sipekne'katik First Nation in Nova Scotia on
Thursday. (Kaitlyn Swan/CBC)
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"I want to make a space city on the moon," said Mi'kmaq student
Robert Paul.
Classmate Robert Sack described his own path to one day exploring
the cosmos.
"It depends if I go to the correct college," he said. "If I
make it past all the grades or not, which I probably will."
Hansen spoke at the event and cut the ribbon.
"A maker lab allows [students] to take a little bit of knowledge,
and right away put it into action, figure it out for yourself,"
he said.
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Hansen
speaks to students at the school. (Luke Yoho/CBC)
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The lab at LSK will offer students several STEM-related resources
that include coding through robotics, animation, 3D tech design
and artificial intelligence. The classroom also includes an elder's
circle for students to connect with traditional Mi'kmaq knowledge
and histories, as well as for the elders to learn a few new skills
themselves.
Hansen added that much can be learned from Indigenous Peoples'
traditional knowledge.
"I've been enriched by Indigenous culture," he said.
"What I've come to recognize is traditional knowledge is very,
very rich."
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The
maker lab at LSK school includes state-of-the-art computer
equipment, sewing machines, and other technology like 3D printers.
(Luke Yoho/CBC)
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Ulnooweg's Chief Operating Officer, Chris Googoo, said he hopes
that programs like the maker labs will help Mi'kmaq children excel
scholastically and beyond.
"Our approach is to bring the knowledge of the private sector
into the schools," said Googoo,
"Honestly, the ultimate goal would be to launch the first Mi'kmaw
astronaut."
Googoo said the development group was inspired to create the
labs after an evaluation showed the need for more STEM education
opportunities in First Nations communities in order to compete in
tomorrow's job market.
The next maker lab will be opened at Mi'kmawey School at Nova
Scotia's Potlotek First Nation on June 7.
"People that can teach themselves will be able to offer the
most in society."
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