Module 3: Outreach and Importance of Place – Susan Beeley

This learning module has, among other things, considered what Aboriginal youth are looking for from education, and how curriculum can be tailored to meet their needs.  One of the issues that came up for me was the reluctance of youth to leave their homes, whether this is due to the people, or their sense of place.  This becomes problematic when these young people are missing out on opportunities for both education and employment as a result.  My contributions focus on outreach to support youth in more remote regions,  but also to recognize the importance of place in educating all Aboriginal youth, regardless of physical location.

Outreach for remote teaching:

InSTEM: Indigenous Youth in STEM

Through summer camps, workshops, clubs and community outreach Actua engages students in STEM subjects.  Though they recognize that the job market is ever-changing, they endeavor to create programs related to current and relevant areas within STEM and provide these programs to remote areas.

Aboriginal Access to Engineering (Queen’s University)

Another member of the Actua group, this program is run through Queen’s University and provides information and resources to engage elementary students, high school students and even adults with careers in engineering.  Material is made available online so even those in remote areas can access the program.

Recognizing the importance of Place:

Promise of Place

This website provides a vast number of resources for teachers and is designed to encourage and support the role of place based learning in education.

Stewarts of the Future

This pdf outlines a government initiative to support stewardship and sustainability in BC’s education system.  In addition to describing the desired outcomes of the initiative, activities and information on how to get involved are provided.

Science World, Vancouver

BC Green Games provides information on what place based learning is and also has full units that are designed to encourage youth to connect to where they live by engaging them in projects that promote greener, local living.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *