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The Root & STEM Podcast

Podcast

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The Root & STEM podcast expands on the Root & STEM publication, and explores issues and storytelling with artists, journalists, educators, and communities engaged in STEAM-focused projects. The episodes are approximately 15-30 minutes long and are available twice a month on the Pinnguaq website, and on your streaming platform of choice including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

Showing 24 in Series

A Blanket of Butterflies

A Blanket of Butterflies

Grade audience: Grade 7 - Adult

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Richard Van Camp, shares all about his ongoing graphic novel series The Spirit of Denendeh. He begins by crediting those who contributed to the creation of the books.

Writer Wisdom

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Richard Van Camp, shares experiences growing up as an Indigenous person in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and how those experiences helped shape him into the successful author he is today.

A statue of a bear.

AR & Attribution

Grade audience: Middle - Adult

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Matriarchal Firekeeper and project coordinator at UAlberta, Amanda Almond, shares her experiences in research and community engagement, including her involvement in creating an interactive augmented reality (AR) learning experience.

Root & STEM icon cover.

Sequel to Survival

Grade audience: Middle - Secondary

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Anishinaabe author and journalist, Waubgeshig Rice, shares details of his sequel to Moon of the Crusted Snow, his critically acclaimed 2018 novel, and offers insights to Indigenous issues from the perspective of a professional in writing and broadcasting

An image of Jon Corbett standing in the woods.

Cree Coding

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

his episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Indigenous computational media artist, computer programmer & professor at Simon Fraser University, Jon Corbett, shares his journey in creating a programming language that reflects the values of his Cree culture.

Root & STEM icon cover.

Life & Literacy

Grade audience: Middle - Secondary

Former Parliamentary Poet Laureate Louise Bernice Halfe shares her story of poetry and healing on this episode of the Root & STEM Podcast.

A mask and tablet sitting on top of a stack of books.

Education in a Pandemic

Teachers have faced a turbulent year, forced to consider how technology could be used to keep learners safe and engaged in education during a pandemic. The first episode of Root & STEM explores how educators from diverse geographies are responding to the pandemic, whether it’s online or in the classroom.

A portrait of a someone. They are taking the photo.

Musical Meanings

Grade audience: Secondary

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, educator, musician and winner of the 2022 Qilaut songwriting contest, Jocelyn Malla explores the importance of music in literacy education, language preservation, and self-healing. She shares the meaning behind her award-winning song Kajjaarijara and how her love for creating music started.

Focused young man taking notes from books for his study. College student sitting at desk with books for finding information in high school library. Guy studying in classroom and completing project with highschool classmates in background.

Classroom Concepts (Part 2)

Grade audience: Middle - Secondary

n this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, we hear from Andrew McConnell, the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Coordinator for the YRDSB, once again as he shares the importance of Indigenous knowledge and voices in youth learning.

Root & STEM icon cover.

Classroom Concepts

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Andrew McConnell, the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Coordinator for the YRDSB, shares the importance of Indigenous knowledge and voices in youth learning. He identifies the areas in which the education of youth and adolescents can be enhanced to include the viewpoints of various Indigenous communities. Andrew describes why non-Indigenous educators teaching Indigenous ideas fall short, before explaining how a change in pedagogy can assist in creating a deeper understanding of Indigenous science and ideas in students.

Sherisse teaching a workshop.

Scratch Skills

Grade audience: Primary - Secondary

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Pinnguaq’s digital skills educator, Sherisse Richards, shares how Scratch–a programming language–can help educators teach students about coding, storytelling, and animation.

and inside look at the game Starscribe.

Documenting Dialects

Grade audience: Adult

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, interactive game designer Brandon Bunnie shares how video games and 3D interactives can assist in learning and preserving Indigenous knowledge and language.

Two people standing in front of water.

Podcast & Play – Part 2

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, graduate students, Sofia Osborne and Olivia deBourcier discuss modern science communication. They share their opinions on the role of science in modern media and the benefit for youth

Two people standing in front of water.

Podcast & Play – Part 1

Grade audience: Secondary

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, graduate students, Sofia Osborne and Olivia deBourcier, discuss their podcast Beyond Blathers, an educational show that expands on the scientific discoveries made along the journey through Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a Nintendo Switch game.

Scientist standing on a boat in the middle of the water.

Sea Sampling

Grade audience: Middle - Secondary

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, David Cote, a research scientist at Fisheries & Oceans Canada, shares the responsibilities of him and his colleagues at Fisheries & Oceans and the change in trends he’s observed since the early days of his career.

Kevin Frank's books.

Cartoon Curriculum

Grade audience: Middle - Secondary

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, cartoonist Kevin Frank shares how he thinks comics and cartoons can assist in learning. He describes the value of comedy in illustration art even when creating educational pieces.

Root & STEM icon cover.

Haíɫzaqv Heritage

Grade audience: Middle - Secondary

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Haíɫzaqv advocate Desiree Lawson shares her mission to preserve and promote her Indigenous values. She explains how the Haíɫzaqv nation views the ocean and why it’s healthy for the environment.

Teaching Tactics

Teaching Tactics

Grade audience: Middle - Secondary

PhD candidate and former science educator Patrick Wells shares his  experiences as a high school science teacher to exemplify effective methods of teaching. He shares his thoughts about what organizations can do better support their educators. He describes a successful ocean research project he involved his students in before explaining the qualities that make a good leader.

A small fishing boat sitting on calm water, facing the moutains.

Overcoming Ocean Obstacles

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Dr. Boris Worm explores the challenge of preserving and protecting marine ecosystems as a Research Professor of marine conservation biology at Dalhousie University and the Scientific Director of Ocean School.

Two children looking at trees.

Camp Connections

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Matt Roy and Kim Pilgrim share their experiences travelling to remote and Indigenous communities as STEM camp instructors for Actua.

A fishing boat on water.

Arctic Awareness

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Erin Keenan shares insight into the effort to protect marine wildlife in Northern Canada as manager of Arctic Marine Conservation at World Wildlife Fund.

A painting of a woman in water.

Painting Perspectives

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Nova Scotia-based artist Teresa Young shares her approach to creating art, and how her art creates emotional connections without a predetermined meaning.

A ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) cause in a seagulls mouth.

Marine Mystery

Grade audience: Secondary - Adult

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, B.C. based writer Sofia Osborne brings light to the mysterious sea star wasting syndrome that has been killing an alarming number of starfish along the west coast of North America since 2013.

Beyond Ones and Zeros

With Big Tech increasing the collection and analysis of data, clarifying the rules and ethics around who owns, manages, and uses that data is essential.