GLOWS Launches First Bilingual Science & Tech Program in the Kootenays
By KAST
For Science Week 2020, GLOWS will highlight Kootenay Biodiversity with unique multimedia educational programming
The GLOWS (Growing & Learning Opportunities with STEAM) youth program, run by KAST (Kootenay Association for Science and Technology) is launching its first ever bilingual program, BiodiversiTV Multimedia Learning/BiodiversiTV, une expérience éducative multimédia, as part of this year’s Science Literacy Week from September 21-25, 2020.
This bilingual back-to-school program offers a unique learning experience for youth ages 10 to 18. It was designed just for educators (and everyone who identifies as one in this unique time in history, including home-schooling parents) to provide engaging, multimedia content to learners throughout the Kootenay region.
Throughout Science Literacy Week, GLOWS will highlight five organizations in the Kootenays that preserve Kootenay biodiversity through a STEAM and career lens. Educator Toolkits will be available on September 16, 2020 to all registered educators, parents and community partners.
Toolkits include:
- A daily email with a link to the highlighted organization’s page on our website (the email will be summary style with learning outcomes identified)
- BiodiversiTV video + PDF transcript
- Pop quiz
- Science Literacy Week activities + worksheets
- Featured Faves: a curated list of relevant books, audio books, podcasts, Youtube channels, apps and websites
With five Francophone schools in the Kootenays (Nelson, Rossland, Fernie, Revelstoke and Golden), French immersion programs offered in each school district and two non-profit organizations to deliver services for the Francophone community (AFKO and AFRoS), there is no doubt about the presence of Francophones and Francophiles in the Kootenay region. With French as the second official language in Canada, KAST feels it’s important to offer bilingual education programs to make STEAM (Science, Technologies, Engineering, Arts and Maths) resources accessible for all Kootenay youth.
“We are glad and grateful to see more regional bilingual activities being offered,” said Lyne Chartier, Executive Director of the Association des francophones des Kootenays Ouest (AFKO). There is a strong need and interest for bilingual families. We really hope this innovative initiative will inspire more to come.”
“Research shows that language learning supports academic achievement in a myriad of ways, including higher standardized test scores, increased ability to hypothesize and improved reading abilities,” said Kailyn Skuban, KAST’s Director of Operations. “Offering bilingual STEAM learning opportunities through our GLOWS program allows students to conceptualize new ideas, and the world, through different cultural and verbal lenses – an important long-term outcome for future scientists and innovators in today’s global scientific collaboration process.”
Education is changing and KAST recognizes the significance of community organizations that provide engaging programs and positive spaces for learning. Science Literacy Week is a great opportunity for local community organizations to highlight the resources available through the Educator’s Toolkit, and supplement them with their own resources. A Community Partner Engagement Toolkit will also be available to public and school libraries, visitor centres, youth groups, museums, nature centres and more.
To register for the BiodiversiTV Multimedia Learning/BiodiversiTV, une expérience éducative multimédia program, and to receive the toolkits, participants need to register online at www.kast.com/scienceliteracy or www.kast.com/culturescientifique.
ABOUT KAST:
Since 1998, KAST has led our region’s economic development through technology and innovation. We are the only non-profit tech association serving the entire Kootenay region. Our main offerings are GLOWS, the Venture Acceleration Program and the Nelson Innovation Centre.
GLOWS (Growing & Learning Opportunities With STEAM) provides opportunities to help youth ages 5-19 find inspiration about their post-secondary education in a variety of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) related disciplines.
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