Queen's University welcomes Indigenous youth to explore STEM

Around 40 Grade 8 students from First Nations communities participated in the Good Roots program.

Several youths from Indigenous communities in Ontario and Quebec are in Kingston to get a first-hand look at STEM. 

They were at Queen's University to take part in Good Roots, a week-long on-campus program designed to get Indigenous youth in Grade 8 interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

On Tuesday, around 40 youth were at the Athletics and Recreation Centre (or ARC) where staff demonstrated techniques to apply first aid and perform exercise activities. 

Kayla Ford, Program Lead for Indigenous Futures in Engineering at Queen's, says Good Roots is a way to encourage them to continue pursuing a career in the field. 

This is the second year of the Good Roots program. It is part of Queen's First Nations STEM Futures Academy that supports students who live on reserve throughout high school with mentorship, academic preparation, and pathways into engineering and STEM studies.  

Ford says they want to show Indigenous youth that they have plenty of options of what they want to do. 

For many of these students, it is the first time that they are away from home and visiting a post-secondary institution. 

Ford says that experience will bode well as they learn more about STEM and campus life. 

This was one of three cohorts taking part in the Good Roots program ahead of National Indigenous History Month in Canada.  

Story by Ken Hashizume