Stories

It’s one thing to read about the changing of the seasons, it’s quite another to feel the crisp air, see the frost and smell the fallen leaves. As informative as books and screens can be, nothing beats learning about the science of the natural world immersed in the natural world.

We’re delighted to announce Pinnguaq’s finalist status in the 2023 CharityVillage Awards in three categories: DE&I (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Innovators (20+ Staff), Best Nonprofit Employer for Workplace Mental Health (20+ Staff), and Leaders in Youth Advancement (20+ Staff).

Passersby may notice some activity at the former public works building on Peel Street in Lindsay as construction crews transform the space into a world-class STEAM education, entrepreneurship and community hub operated by Pinnguaq Association. 

When Aidan Pine was in the first year of his linguistics degree at the University of British Columbia, he wanted to get experience working with language revitalization outside his coursework. He joined a research project, working with speakers to create a dictionary for the Gitksan language, spoken by the Gitksan Nation of British Columbia, which the researchers hoped ultimately to make into an app.

In the last year, there have been countless cyberattacks, ranging from service disruptions to critical data breaches, and the risks continue to escalate. As students spend more time online, it is crucial that they are aware of present dangers and how to protect themselves.  

Back in 1991, the World Wide Web was new, exciting, and fairly limited in use compared to today. But more than 30 years later, the Web has evolved, guided by the age of the internet and artificial intelligence (AI). Nowadays, there is much more we can do with a wi-fi connection than ever before, but there are also more dangers to watch out for, especially for younger users. Learning to be safe online is just as important as it is offline.

At the time of this writing, artificial intelligence (AI) is basking in the glow of an enormous spotlight. Initially seen as a concept of science fiction, AI—the simulation of human intelligence by machines—has come to mesmerize people all over the world. Millions of people are using AI software programs to help problem-solve, create content, or just have a conversation.

Julia Young created an online safety podcast for teens called Harnessing the Benefits: The Digital World and was surprised to learn just how advanced artificial intelligence (AI) is nowadays, and the ways in which online education and digital safety are constantly growing.

Voice Technology for high school students. In teams of two, 12 students competed at the Lindsay Makerspace over two-and-a-half days of intense learning, hacking, and presentation. For this hackathon, the goal was to come up with an idea for a new Alexa skill and code it using the beginner-friendly MIT App Inventor platform. Every participant left with an Alexa to continue their coding initiatives post-hackathon.

For many students, bullying is and always has been a part of school life. The rise of social media has only made matters worse. According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, that year, 71 per cent of kids aged 12 to 17 experienced at least one form of bullying, while 25 per cent reported being cyberbullied. 

In 2016, Pinnguaq’s te(a)ch program was given some truly incredible help  – it was awarded an Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP), to the tune of $400,000. te(a)ch was the name for our in-community delivery program (AKA: Code Club or what you may now know as our Makerspace or Community Workshops). 

By purchasing the building at 12 Peel Street, in the Kawartha Lakes, Pinnguaq has tripled its facilities, and created a new hub for science, technology, art and math activities catering to educators, students, and creators alike. But first some renovations are required! 

The Pinnguaq Association, in partnership with the Moore family, is pleased to announce that three Nunavut residents have been awarded the 2023 Danielle Moore Scholarship, and will each receive $2,000 in financial support towards their ongoing education.

Caitie grew up in the Nbisiing (Nipissing) area and has had a life-long passion for working with/facilitating meaningful learning experiences for youth. She attended Trent University in 2017 for a BAH in Indigenous Studies, then, in 2021 she moved back home to complete her Bachelor of Education at Nipissing University, incorporating Land as a teacher whenever possible.

As an Indigenous educator—a technology teacher in Ontario—I have watched how literacy affects which concepts students are able to comprehend and discuss. Words hold power.

Jeela Palluq-Cloutier had been teaching and sharing Inuktitut for years when the Pirurvik Centre, a learning facility based in Iqaluit, asked for her help with a unique project. 

Born and raised in Iqaluit, I grew up speaking both Inuktitut and English at home. I was always reminded to speak Inuktitut as much as possible as a child.

Science, math, and art are all around us! From animals to technology, there’s a lot for students to get excited about. STEAM education has been shown to have many benefits, from enhancing problem-solving skills to encouraging teamwork.

Colonial constructions—which include programming languages, like Javascript, Python, and HTML—continue to prioritize the interests of Western cultures while disregarding the perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples.

AR has the potential to bring many things to life in new and exciting ways. It allows us to explore new universes, interact with characters, and explain learning concepts more effectively.

For years, there’s been a push to prepare high school students better for the STEAM-focused job market with more hands-on classes, access to technology, and the removal of financial barriers.

Pinnguaq’s own Sherisse Richards, a senior digital skills educator, spoke with Root & STEM about community efforts to bring Scratch to classrooms all over the world.

Lindsay, ON – Since receiving a $149,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in 2022, the Pinnguaq Association has been busy on the refurbishment and enhancement of its Adelaide Street North Lindsay Makerspace. This grant program was developed to help non-profit groups rebuild and recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

The Pinnguaq Association today announced its purchase of the former Public Works Building located at 12 Peel Street in Lindsay, Ontario, and the launch of renovations to create a world-class STEAM education and entrepreneurship centre.