New products like STEM toys and maker-based programs and projects are a great way to get kids involved in the STEM fields early on by allowing them to explore new concepts hands-on, building on skills such as creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.
When looking at the projected job market, parents are seeing the importance of projects that pique kids’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills. New products like STEM toys (Amazon has an entire section of their website featuring these) and maker-based programs and projects are a great way to get kids involved in the STEM fields early by allowing them to explore new concepts hands-on, building on skills such as creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.
At CIRA’s annual general meeting in September, Andy Forest, co-founder of STEAMLabs (who adds an “A” to STEM to indicate “Arts”), spoke about the future of education in our online world. Forest talked about bringing current industrial age-based learning systems into the information age with maker spaces. STEAMLabs has had two projects funded by CIRA’s Community Investment Program (CIP), which invests in projects nationwide to build a better online Canada. The two projects, Internet of Things teaching kit and School projects with Internet brains are both focused on kids’ digital literacy.
North Island College offers first round of camps to youth with CIP funding
This past summer, with the help of $42,000 in CIP funding, Vancouver Island-based North Island College (NIC) offered several sessions of NICBotCamps. 139 elementary school students aged 9-12 built, programmed, and remotely-controlled robots using LEGO Mindstorms at the week-long camps.
This video, produced by NIC, features some of the instructors, parents, and students that participated in the 2016 NIC Bot Camps.
At the NIC Bot Camps, the students learned the basics of computer programming to build and “train” robots to perform various tasks. “Running the camps is good way to get kids engaged in science and technology, helping them prepare for the future job market”, said Naomi Tabata in a statement for the Campbell River Mirror. Tabata is the Manager at the Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI) at NIC.
“A combination of things made our camps successful,” said Tabata. “We had amazing instructors and because this is the first time such a camp was offered in our remote location, students were eager to learn and sign up.”
NIC is looking forward to running the robotics camps next year and is planning to expand the camp program to include other science and technology themed programs.
About CIRA’s Community Investment Program
The Community Investment Program gives back by funding innovative community projects to build a stronger, safer and more accessible Internet for all Canadians. The program has helped grow Canada’s capacity in media literacy, enabled non-profits to deliver online services and academic researchers to address emerging digital issues. We have supported 78 innovative projects across Canada to date, for a total of $3.2 million in funding distributed.
Erin brings to CIRA a background of marketing experience in higher education and the not-for-profit sector. In 2015, she participated in ISOC’s Youth@IGF Programme and traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico to attend the IGF. She has a Bachelor of International Business from Carleton University.
