Scouts Canada participants now have a new way to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) into their meetings, thanks to McMaster Engineering’s newly launched suite of virtual workshops.
Developed by current McMaster University students and faculty in the Faculty of Engineering, each workshop is designed to be age-appropriate and easily integrated into the Scouts meeting structure. The free, asynchronous modules cater to all levels of Scouts, including Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturer Scouts and Rover Scouts, engaging participants from age five through to their mid-20s.
Making STEM accessible to youth through memorable and impactful programming is crucial to breaking down any perceived or real barriers to pursuing it in education. We’re thrilled to provide Scouts Canada with age-appropriate and engaging programming options to open new possibilities and signal to participants that Engineering is for Everyone.
Activities include an exploration into the world of pollinators with a matching game, windmill design and clean energy systems and artificial intelligence, growing plants using hydroponics, cleaning water using AI to test and predict quality, and the design of climate-smart shelters.
In 2024, McMaster Engineering’s Community Outreach team engaged more than 35,000 youth across Canada through a mix of in-person and virtual programming. Their initiatives span from toddler-aged children to Grade 12 students, with specialized programs for equity-deserving groups such as the award-winning Black Outreach STEM Series (BOSS), as well as Go Eng Girl, which have helped pave pathways to postsecondary education.
The first 2,000 Scouts to register online will receive an exclusive McMaster Community Outreach crest to recognize completion of the workshop. These workshops follow the success of McMaster Engineering’s virtual programming for Girl Guides Canada, which has been running since 2020 and engaged upwards of 67,000 kids nationwide.
