IBM Ignite Camp Shows Aboriginal Youth Science is Cool

At the Ontario Power Generation Visitors Center, on Thursday, March 14, IBM Canada along with SNC Lavalin, Bank of Montreal, and Engage Learning held the Ignite Camp. The Ignite Camp is an initiative in partnership with other organizations aimed at exposing aboriginal youth to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Careers. SNC Lavalin representatives worked with children on the topic of potable water availability. Using a water filter kit, each group represented a different country and the obstacles to obtaining potable water was demonstrated by availability of resources – poor nations had much less money to by kit parts, wealthier nations had enough for all the parts and the instructions were legible, whereas poorer nations may not have had legible instructions. The children would also share resources with the groups with less, just like it happens in real life.

Jack White and Rukhsana Syed worked with the children on Snap Electronic kits, which allowed the groups to build circuits and experience the basics of electrical engineering. In addition the children worked with Lego Mindstorm robotics kits and “all groups were able to complete the robot kits,” Syed said.

“The point of the camp is you [the youth] are part of the work stream that is coming up, and me as an IBM’er is to ask how can I offer equal opportunity if I don’t have the talent. I need aboriginal talent who can come and work for IBM, so that is what this camp is about. To build the capacity, and as a company we want the cream of the crop, and I need aboriginal people to be in the pipe to choose from,” Syed said.

Additionally, Engage Learning taught two groups how to produce a video. Working on all aspects of the production, the students learned about storyboarding, filming, building the film set, lighting, sound and acting. The editing was done by the Engage team. There were two videos produced as well as a commercial for each. The groups were K-3 and the older group was comprised of grades 4-8. James Liboirin of Engage Learning said, “the little kids did everything, from holding the camera to the boom mic.”