STEM Boot Camps: Empowering Indigenous Youth Through Hands-On Learning
A STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) boot camp hosted by Saskatchewan Polytechnic is opening doors for Indigenous youth, providing eye-opening opportunities through immersive learning and hands-on experiences. The ‘Diggin Deep Bootcamps’, a Youth+Us partner, are designed to create a fun and engaging environment, inspiring students from rural and Indigenous communities to see themselves in these career paths in the future. The program has already sparked a wave of excitement and ambition in participants.
“I know there’s a spark there. Even if they’re not sure yet, that still leaves an open door to continue on that spark,” says Carolyn, an instructor at Saskatchewan Polytechnic who helps to deliver the bootcamps to a range of students from elementary to high school.
Making Learning Fun
Through activities like soil testing and environmental experiments, the students see first-hand how STEM fields, particularly those related to environmental science and mining, directly impact their communities.
Carolyn shares some of her stand-out moments from the bootcamps, like when a young girl commented: “Oh, you mean I can go and do this?! I never thought I could do something like this.”
Another student shared: “I’m glad I came to school today.”
The program’s hands-on approach has made a lasting impact, as students leave with new knowledge and a renewed sense of confidence. Carolyn joked that the young students often catch on faster than her college students.
They still dream a little bit and they are thinking and wondering, and they’re still curious. I think as we get older, we kind of get jaded. So that’s one of the things I love most – They’re still willing and they’re not afraid to try, and some of them are not afraid to fail either.
-Carolyn
Making STEM Accessible
For students outside of urban centres, access to STEM education can be a barrier. Students in smaller rural centres, including on reserve, may have limited exposure to hands-on learning opportunities that spark interest in these fields due to financial limitations or teacher resources.
“We’re showing them that you can do these things using plastic cups and not all these fancy pieces of equipment,” Says Carolyn, “ It’s giving them hope, giving them something to look at that they could do.”
Carolyn shares that one thing she noticed about working in Indigenous communities is the willingness for students to help each other.
“I have not seen that in a lot of other school settings. Students support each other and it’s just amazing. I really have been enjoying that part of the boot camps, especially seeing how the young people work together to bring each other up and support each other.”
I have not seen that in a lot of other school settings. Students support each other and it’s just amazing. I really have been
enjoying that part of the boot camps, especially seeing how the young people work together to bring each other up and
support each other.-Carolyn
This renewed excitement for learning is at the heart of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s mission for the boot camp. As these young people look toward their future, the impact of the camp is clear: it’s not just about science experiments or learning new concepts—it’s about empowering them to see their potential in a whole new light.
