IndigeSTEAM Empowers Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Mentors to Co-Create Successful Strategies of Indigenous Youth STEM
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Indigenous peoples in Canada (First Nations, Métis and Inuit people) are highly underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professions. As of September 30, 2018, the Association for Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta reports that of it's total membership base of 76,400 members only 323 self-identified as Aboriginal (0.42% of total membership).
IndigeSTEAM is a youth outreach program that was established to bring more diverse perspectives and seeks to eliminate barriers Indigenous youth face in STEM. "We believe that incorporating art, creativity and social innovation into STEM outreach will lead to more successful engagement with all youth. We are passionate about the importance of these connections being made in a culturally relevant and appropriate way," states Deanna Burgart, the co-founder and president of IndigeSTEAM who is an engineer and member of Fond du Lac First Nation, Saskatchewan.
Because of the underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in STEM, IndigeSTEAM sees the need to connect those in the mentoring space to provide a safe space for support, collaboration and the opportunity to build strategies to engage more Indigenous and non-Indigenous STEM professionals in reaching out to Indigenous Nations and youth. IndigeSTEAM will be hosting their first Indigenous STEM Leadership Gathering at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta on November 15 and 16, 2018. They are inviting Indigenous STEM professionals and the STEM communications and outreach community across Canada to collaborate with the goal of preparing a position paper on Strategies for Indigenous Community and Youth Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Outreach. This workshop will be an opportunity for Indigenous professionals to share best practices in working with Indigenous peoples, and an opportunity for the STEM community to share ideas on effective youth science communications to co-create resources for Canadian educators to access as they move forward on the journey to reconciliation. All workshop contributors will be recognized as authors of this position paper. The event will end with a Masquerade Ball and Silent Auction on the evening of November 16, 2018, at the Banff Springs Hotel to benefit IndigeSTEAM's year-round outreach programs such as FIRST Lego Robotics and Power to Choose Science Camp.
Deanna Burgart, the event organizer, shares that, "Indigenous wisdom and perspectives on sustainability and interconnectedness in the environment are sorely needed. Society needs more diverse approaches to solving the world's greatest challenges. Indigenous peoples are underrepresented in STEM and so we need the support from Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to reach the youth ? Canada's fastest growing demographic."
For more information, to register for one or both events, partnership or sponsorship please email Deanna Burgart at [email protected].
Media Contact:
Deanna Burgart, P.Eng, CET
President, IndigeSTEAM
Calgary, Alberta
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