Earlier in May, The University of Winnipeg welcomed over a thousand children from nine different schools in Winnipeg’s inner-city, north end, and from Sagkeeng and Eagle Lake First Nations, for STEM Days, hosted by the Wii Chiiwaakanak Learning Centre and Faculty of Science.
Hundreds of Indigenous and local youth arrived on UWinnipeg’s campus. The next generation of STEM, scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and artists experimented with their interests which hopefully ignited a curiosity that lasts a lifetime.
This two-day experiential learning extravaganza was UWinnipeg’s contribution to Science Rendezvous, a national STEM festival that encourages all ages to get their hands on science.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education, whether it’s in STEM or another field.
Angeline Nelson
“Outreach is very important for building pathways for underrepresented groups in science and for potential first-generation postsecondary students to feel a sense of welcome on our campus,” said Angeline Nelson, Director of Community Learning and Engagement for Wii Chiiwaakanak. “As an institution located in the inner city we have a responsibility to engage our local community in a good way and these opportunities funded by CanCode and NSERC, support us to do that.”
The students had an opportunity to participate in a wide range of STEM activities, while also incorporating Indigenous knowledge, languages, and culture thanks to the inclusion of Indigenous teachers and language speakers.
Dr. Tabitha Wood, Associate Dean of Science and Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry, a Science Rendezvous organizer for UWinnipeg for more than a decade, is also proud of UWinnipeg’s continued participation with STEM Days.
A whirlwind of science in two days
“We do this because we love science, and we want other people to share in that feeling and to share with them what we’ve discovered through our scientific research,” shared Dr. Wood. “We also want to inspire a bright future where we’re best able to innovate and solve challenges because the most diverse collection of minds are working at the task.”
There were 30 varied science sessions, all over UWinnipeg’s campus. The sessions covered a gamut of scientific engagement including Lego robotics, illusions in psychology, coding, machines, envisioning virtual worlds with Ubisoft, and more.
STEM Days is a campus-wide team effort that includes volunteer faculty, staff, and students from all six Faculties in addition to volunteers from the Collegiate, the Indigenous Summer Scholars Program, the Technology Sector, and the Research Office.
Funding makes STEM Days fun days
STEM Days are made possible thanks to CanCode funding of $193,195 that began in January 2025 and runs until March 31, 2026, and The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Promoscience funding of $202,500 that also began in January 2025 and runs until December 2027.
This funding keeps STEM outreach accessible while also protecting food security, by giving campers a light breakfast, snacks, and lunch, plus bus transportation.
This funding also supports Indigenous STEAM Camps which sees 250 youth on campus over the summer, and STEM Explorers, the after-school program with Spence Neighbourhood Association (SNA). The SNA brings kids from their program each week to participate in a coding or STEM activity at UWinnipeg.
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education, whether it’s in STEM or another field,” said Nelson. “Our goal through initiatives like these is to simply open doors for the youth in our community to see that they belong here just as much as anyone else.”
