FEATURE
More than 30,000 kids each
year experience engineering
and science camps through
the University of Regina
LBy Pat Rediger
i!le did a group of University of Regina engineering students
realize that when they developed a summer camp for kids
more than 25 years ago, they were laying the foundation for
a program that would engage more than 30,000 kids annually on science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming.
"at initial idea has grown to become EYES: Educating Youth in
Engineering and Science. Not only does it deliver annual summer camps in
an inclusive and safe space, but it has also expanded to provide satellite programs
in other communities as well as on-reserve locations. "e program
also features workshops, all-girls camps, #eld trips, maker days and professional
development for teachers.
“Our primary reach is in the summer and that’s where we have between
30 and 40 full-time undergraduate students and between #ve and seven
high school students who assist with the program,” said Megan Moore,
manager, engineering outreach. “During May and June, under normal circumstances,
we conduct school workshops all over the province. In 2019,
we did more than 18,000 km worth of travel.”
"e Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science provides space for
the summer camps and EYES works with community partners on delivering
the program in local schools and community centres. "e program
has been delivered in communities such as Estevan, Weyburn and Swi$
Current as well as Indigenous communities including Kawacatoose, Ocean
Man, Kahkewistahaw, Whitebear and Cote.
Moore says EYES places an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, and it
provides #nancial assistance to children for whom the camp fee is a barrier.
It also provides free camps and workshops to selected community schools
in Regina, which are situated in neighborhoods with low household incomes
and a high Indigenous population. EYES also works with the Open
Door Society to provide a weeklong camp for newcomers to Canada.
Although the university faculty is supportive of the program as it encourages
students to consider STEM careers, EYES is self-supporting and
relies on corporate support, donations and registrations for its operating
costs. Moore says EYES also recognizes that every community is di%erent
and strives to ensure that as many students can participate in their programming
as possible.
For Regina community schools, for example, Moore says EYES worked
with the Regina Public Library to provide technical equipment and curriculum
materials so teachers could sign out these materials through their library
cards. Other communities may require corporate partners in order
to deliver the camps.
CATHY YEULET / 123RF
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