Language Is the Root of STEM

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.