Ask Austin Marshall how he truly feels about his job and you’ll get a response on the highest level of the enthusiastic scale.
“This is the best job I’ve ever had. It’s my favorite of all time,” acknowledged Marshall (pictured left).
He is the Indigenous Education Lead at the STEAM Education Centre in St. Thomas, a position funded through a Vitality Grant from the London Community Foundation.
The $225,000 in funding over three years is to build Indigenous equity in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art Design, and Math) for the jobs of tomorrow.
Indigenous individuals make up four per cent of adults in Canada. But less than two per cent of people working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics occupations are Indigenous, advised Marshall.
The STEAM Education Centre in St. Thomas is working to change that through its Indigenous-led iSTEAM program, which offers students the opportunity to learn about STEAM career paths and grow the confidence to expand their knowledge and use these new employable skills to apply for these kind of roles.
Marshall, who identifies with the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, explains what that entails.
The project addresses potential barriers to participation by Indigenous youth by offering free training and providing them with computers, enabling them to continue their learning. Creating programming with input from Indigenous youth and drawing on their culture helps to ensure the iSTEAM training is engaging and relevant.
Marshall notes it is a very different experience visiting the Indigenous schools.
“Participating in a program like this builds confidence and ability in STEAM skills and helps provide Indigenous youth with an equitable opportunity to gain access to these jobs of tomorrow,” added Marshall.
“This project also builds cultural connections to the subject matter with a goal to have students see and become role models to inspire future generations,” stressed Marshall, who added words of encouragement for the students.
Written by Ian McCallum
