Youth Environmental Science Outreach in the Mushkegowuk Territory of Subarctic Ontario, Canada

Abstract

We connected youth of the Mushkegowuk Territory (specifically Fort Albany First Nation) with environmental science and technology mentors in an outreach program contextualized to subarctic Ontario that addressed some of the environmental concerns identified by members of Fort Albany First Nation. Most activities were community-based centering on the general theme of understanding a changing environment (e.g., long range transport of contaminants, global warming, and postglacial isostatic rebound); however, our initiative also included an annual trip for Grade 8 students to the Ontario Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, to expose students to science in an interactive, fun setting. We found that informal educational settings, resources that relied on spatial/visual cues, group activities, and hands-on and experiential teaching were effective in engaging the schoolchildren. Our hope is that some of the students that attend our community-based camp will pursue a postsecondary education in the environmental sciences.