For many students at the University of Saskatchewan, finding summer employment that is both enjoyable and relevant to their field of study is no easy task. Fortunately for students in the sciences, the Science Ambassador Program is looking for science-loving, engaged students to join their spring 2017 outreach program.

This four to six week program, open to health sciences and senior science, technology, engineering and mathematics — or STEM — students, offers U of S student hires the chance to develop science activities and class discussions alongside teachers in northern Saskatchewan communities. The main goal of the program is to build meaningful connections and develop a love of science in elementary school students.

The Science Ambassador Program visits Opaskwayak Cree Nation in Manitoba.

The Science Ambassador Program is entering its 10th year of sharing the love of science in northern communities. Sandy Bonny, program co-ordinator for the last five years, explains how the program functions.

“What the program does is it matches disciplinary expertise of science students … [with] remote Aboriginal Community Schools,” Bonny said. “[They often have] very strong teachers and culturally vibrant schools, but many of those teachers don’t have a science background, so they struggle to provide the science and math experiences to students that they would get in an urban setting where there are lots of science teachers.”

Starting Nov. 25, the Science Ambassador Program will begin hiring U of S students. The paid positions offered come with all expenses covered. Trips to northern communities are scheduled between the end of final exams in April and the end of June when community schools finish, so as not to interfere with the student employees’ university classes.

Once employed, students undergo professional development training sessions between February and April, to equip them for the ambassador role.

Former ambassador Mackenzie Moleski, a fourth-year honours student in physiology and pharmacology, participated in the program last year. Her experience was so positive that she plans to apply to the program again in 2017.

“The Science Ambassador Program was a life changing experience for me. While there is so much learning to be had by explaining science concepts to others, there are beneficial learning experiences outside the classroom,” Moleski said. “University students can benefit from this program immensely because it improves communication skills, increases independence and really changes perceptions of northern living.”

According to Bonny, the program targets a very specific student group in northern communities, ranging from grades four to nine. Various communities in the province host the program, some as close as Green Lake, which is a five-hour drive from Saskatoon, or as remote as Black Lake, located near Lake Athabasca, which can only be reached by plane.

Bonny also explains that the Science Ambassador Program offers advantages to participating university students.

“[Ambassadors] learn about the northern environment [and] get to see parts of the province they’ve never seen before. We have international students, and for them to get to live in a real community and be involved is great,” Bonny said. “They love it, they come back excited about engaging with different parts of society.”

Bonny shares that former participants report favourable experiences on post-employment surveys. When asked if they would recommend the Science Ambassador Program to other U of S students, only positive responses were given, suggesting to Bonny that every ambassador has gotten something out of the experience.

In addition, many ambassadors like Moleski reported a rekindled love for science and commented on the importance that relationship building and community involvement had for them.

“My favourite part of being a science ambassador was the relationships I built and fostered in the community of Green Lake,” Moleski said. “The community welcomed my fellow science ambassador and I with open arms. We had the opportunity to engage in community events and meet people other than the students and staff at the school. I did not expect to be so fully immersed in the community and culture of Green Lake, but it was a great surprise.”

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Lauren Hope

Photo: Sandy Bonny / Supplied