The Root & STEM Podcast

Ampere’s Interactive Game Design Lead, Brandon Bunnie, sits at the intersection of storytelling, technology and culture, making games that invite players to explore language, make mistakes and find their own way forward. Brandon met up with Ampere’s Digital Media Specialist John Stewart to chat about his work.

In this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Cassidy Swanston and Abbey Ramdeo from Actua discuss their roles in teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) across Canada. They delve into the importance of digital citizenship and combatting misinformation. Cassidy dispels common misconceptions about digital safety, while Abbey shares insights on building critical digital skills. Both stress the significance of ethical behaviour and critical thinking in navigating the digital world. The conversation extends to discuss strategies for combating cyberbullying and the evolving impact of AI on digital citizenship. The episode concludes with practical advice for parents and educators on fostering safe digital habits.00:00 Introduction and Team Roles00:46 Defining Digital Citizenship01:41 Common Misconceptions About Digital Citizenship03:53 Teaching Soft Skills in Digital Citizenship06:12 Spotting Fake News and Misinformation08:31 AI's Impact on Digital Citizenship10:51 Combating Cyberbullying and Online Harassment14:14 Digital Literacy vs. Digital Citizenship16:00 Advice for Parents on Digital Safety18:43 Understanding Digital Footprint20:25 Key Takeaways and Resources

In this episode of Root & STEM, Beth, a classroom teacher from Cambridge Bay, NU, Beth Sampson shares her journey from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to becoming a senior high math and science specialist in a remote Nunavut community. Beth discusses her academic background, the challenges and opportunities of digital citizenship, and her pursuit of a master's degree in Creativity, Sustainability, and Innovation through Cape Breton University. Beth explains her experiences with digital education during the school year 2021-2022, including her involvement in creating resources like the Digitally Nunavut Ed website, and addresses the unique aspects of digital citizenship within the context of Nunavut's evolving technological landscape. She highlights the importance of modeling good digital citizenship and collaborating with Inuit cultural resources to engage students. Beth also offers insights into the special challenges students and teachers face regarding technology access and safety online, emphasizing the importance of cultural and community context in digital education.00:00 Introduction and Background01:19 Journey into Digital Citizenship05:14 Defining Digital Citizenship10:10 Digital Citizenship in Nunavut20:32 Challenges and Solutions in Digital Citizenship37:13 Resources and Recommendations44:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Vivian Lee, Director of Education and Strategy for the Open Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN), discusses the organization's mission to support underserved LGBTQIA+ communities with digital literacy and safety. Vivian shares insights on what digital literacy entails, its critical components, and why it matters. She elaborates on digital citizenship and its broader implications, including online safety, parental guidance, and the impacts of AI. Discussing misconceptions and ethical concerns, Vivian emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, collective responsibility, and the potential future of AI and digital sovereignty. ODLAN provides valuable resources, training, and reports to bolster community awareness and skills in navigating digital spaces.00:00 Introduction to Vivian Lee00:35 Origins and Mission of ODLAN02:25 Defining Digital Literacy and Citizenship04:45 Misconceptions About Digital Citizenship07:07 Online Safety for Children11:55 Ethical Concerns and Future of AI21:37 Resources and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Courtney Cameron, East Region Coordinator for Makers Making Change, discusses her role and the organization's mission to provide low-cost, open-source assistive technology. Makers Making Change operates under the Neil Squire Society, which focuses on designing and producing affordable assistive technology for people with disabilities. Courtney explains the program's origins, including the inspiring story of Neil Squire and the development of groundbreaking assistive devices. She highlights how the program engages volunteers and students in creating assistive devices like switches, which have a high community demand. The workshops provide valuable STEM education while fostering empathy and problem-solving skills among participants. Courtney also shares the positive feedback received from students, teachers, and clinicians benefiting from these affordable, customizable devices.00:00 Introduction to Courtney Cameron and Her Role00:43 Overview of Makers Making Change02:06 The Story of Neil Squire04:21 Examples of Assistive Technology05:54 Courtney's Journey into Assistive Technology10:35 Workshops and Their Impact14:49 Student and Community Reactions

In this episode, Christine M'Lot, a seasoned teacher, curriculum developer, and newly appointed associate publisher of Portage and Main Press, shares her innovative approach to teaching through hip-hop. Christine delves into her personal connection to hip-hop music and how it has influenced her teaching philosophy. She discusses her unique use of hip-hop and rap lyrics as a tool for teaching poetry and describes the challenges and successes she's encountered in the classroom. Christine also introduces the 'Your Voice is Power' program, which integrates hip-hop, coding, and social justice to engage students in computer science. She details how the program is adapted for Indigenous youth and highlights the positive outcomes, including a national competition with significant prizes.00:00 Introduction and Guest Background01:33 Christine's Personal Journey with Hip Hop05:17 Integrating Hip Hop into the Classroom10:22 Your Voice is Power Program12:49 Adapting the Program for Indigenous Youth13:43 National Competition and Success Stories19:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jon Corbett, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, discusses the importance of integrating Indigenous languages and cultural symbols into computing technologies. He highlights his work in developing a computer science curriculum that incorporates an Indigenous viewpoint and the challenges of alienation faced by Indigenous communities in Westernized technology environments. Jon also shares examples of current software that effectively incorporate Indigenous knowledge and addresses the ethical considerations of integrating technology with Indigenous culture. Additionally, he explores the significance of community-centered technology workshops and the need for collaboration between academic institutions, communities, and developers in creating adaptive computing solutions. Jon concludes with personal anecdotes that have shaped his approach to computer programming.00:00 Introduction and Background00:27 Integrating Indigenous Languages in Technology01:36 Challenges and Importance of Indigenous Representation02:48 Current Software and Indigenous Knowledge12:31 Ethical Considerations in Technology14:21 Community-Centered Technology Workshops25:15 Personal Stories and Philosophies on Programming28:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Root & STEM Podcast, host Salma is joined by Maura Grossman, a research professor at the University of Waterloo and an expert in responsible artificial intelligence. They dive into the topic of deepfakes, discussing their differences from other manipulated media, their impact on political processes, and the concept of the liar's dividend. Grossman also explores advancements in detection technologies, regulatory challenges, and the importance of public awareness in combating the spread of deepfakes. The episode concludes with insights on the role of tech companies and the need for comprehensive education to mitigate deepfake threats.00:00 Introduction to the Root & STEM Podcast00:26 Meet Maura Grossman: Expert in AI and Law00:57 Understanding Deepfakes and Their Implications02:46 Deepfakes vs. Shallow Fakes: Key Differences04:16 Real-World Examples of Deepfake Impact05:39 The Liar's Dividend: Exploiting Deepfakes07:37 Threats to Democracy and Public Trust08:54 Technological Advancements in Deepfake Detection11:41 The Role of Governments and Regulations14:03 Responsibilities of Tech Companies15:18 Public Awareness and Education18:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of The Root & STEM Podcast, guest host Sofia Osborne speaks with Madie Bouvier-Brown, marine operations lead at Open Ocean Robotics. Madie begins by sharing how her interest in marine science started. Madie then describes her role at Open Ocean and the purpose and use of USV's (unmanned surface vehicle) in monitoring ocean trends and marine date collection.

 On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, artist, educator and environmentalist, Betty Carpick, speaks about her unique interest and skill in creating art with natural supplies. She begins by explaining how her interest in art first developed (01:15). Betty tells us how she identifies and harvests plants to create her natural inks (08:08) and describes the process of turning the plants into inks ready to be used (10:18). Next, Betty speaks on her education style and her purpose as an educator (12:56), before sharing a story about a success she experienced as an educator (15:53). Finally, Betty offers advice to aspiring artists (17:47).Check out Betty's art on Instagram @bettycarpick

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, muralist Jess Spagnolo, brings us along her journey as an artist. She begins by sharing her behind the scenes thoughts during the illustration of the Root & STEM magazine’s issue 9 cover (01:02). Jess details her university experience and subsequent shift towards muralism after a disenchantment with conventional art schooling (02:23). She describes her approach to a blank wall (06:47), before sharing a beautiful story of how her murals can impact a community (10:18). She delves into her Mexican heritage's role in shaping her vibrant and culturally rich artistic style (13:09). Throughout the episode, Jess underscores the significance of continual learning, curiosity, and fostering connections within the art community.

On this episode of The Root & STEM Podcast, we hear from Indigenous climate researcher, Janna Wale, a policy advisor at Canada Climate Institute. Janna begins by reminiscing on her interest in schooling as a youth (00:50). She then describes her role and some of her current responsibilities at the Canada Climate Institute (02:01). Janna tells us about her inspiration behind dedicating her career to climate research (05:38), before emphasizing the importance of salmon and salmon abundance to her home of Gitanmaax First Nation (7:53). Lastly, Janna provides a change in research process recommendation that she believes would lead to a positive 5-year climate outlook (11:12) and offers some advice to youth looking to assist in climate change mitigation efforts (12:10).

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Director Of Heritage for the Government of Nunavut, Caroline Whittle, shares her insight on the state of language preservation among the Inuit community in Nunavut. She begins by explaining her position with the Government of Nunavut and sharing some of her day to day responsibilities. (01:10). Next, Caroline describes the reason English has become the predominant language in the North (04:14) and tells us about a course she took that promotes the revitalization of Inuktitut (05:53). Caroline shares her opinion on why people in the North should learn Inuktitut (06:55), before explaining how teachers can bridge the gap between STEM learning and Inuit culture (08:33). Next, she offers insight on what can be done at a government level to promote the use of Inuktitut (10:57). Finally, Caroline tells us the best ways and times to Learn Inuktitut (12:25), before describing how her language helps her feel connected to her community (13:36).

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Sofia Osborne speaks with Tania Willard, an Indigenous artist/curator and assistant professor at the University of British Columbia about her journey as an artist and connecting with and expressing her culture. Tania begins by sharing how her passion for art began and takes us through the stages of her career (01:08). Next, she offers some advice to art educators working in rural and indigenous communities (07:10). Finally, Tania describes what she calls the "Bush Gallery" (09:16).

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Sheena Bolton and Timothy King of the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) explain CyberTitan, a cybersecurity competition for middle and high schoolers organized by the ICTC. Tim breaks down what goes on during a CyberTitan competition and the benefits a competitor might take away from the experience (05:02). Next, Tim reveals who prepares the objectives for CyberTitan and shares some student successes (07:52) before Sheena explains how ICTC is prioritizing cybersecurity as the industry and importance of new talent skyrockets (11:05). Sheena describes some more benefits of being a competitor (15:10).Tim shares some threats the prominence of AI and scaling of quantum computing pose to humans (13:06), as well as the positive effects this rather new technology could have (19:23). Next, Sheena explains how a family effort can help susceptible individuals such as seniors stay safe from cyber threats and phone scams (23:11), before each offering a simple actionable you can put into practice today to instantly improve their cybersecurity (30:22).

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, former Pinnguaq co-op student, Julia Young, shares her unique journey as a highschool student and the helpful tips and tools she learned along the way. She begins by explaining The Science Behind podcast series she created with no prior media production or teaching experience. (03:21). Next, Julia describes Harnessing The Benefits: The Digital World, the second podcast she created for Pinnguaq (06:25) and the corresponding article she wrote for the Root & STEM magazine (08:44). Julia then shares her experience as a full time online highschool student, highlighting the differences from the traditional high school experience (10:32), before explaining how AI tools assisted her as a student and how to use them to enhance your learning (13:06). Julia wraps up by offering a piece of advice to high school aged learners who aren’t sure about their path postsecondary like herself (15:53).

On this episode of the Root & STEM podcast, Christine Menard of Get Cyber Safe shares loads of tips and advice regarding cybersecurity. She begins with an explanation of what Get Cyber Safe is (01:20), and continues by revealing which demographics are the highest risk for cyber attacks (03:08). Christine lays out an immediate action plan for the scenario of facing a ransomware attack (10:33) and shares her thoughts on why password managers are a very helpful tool (12:22). She then shares what avenues of attack are the most common for cyber scammers (20:29), before describing some red flags to be aware of on social media and how to best protect yourself from security breaches (27:06). Christine wraps up by sharing one simple action everyone can complete today to improve their cybersecurity (40:00).Visit getcybersafe.ca to learn more!

Winners of the 2023 Kawartha Lakes Hackathon, Callum Penney and Aiden Mackey, recap their experience participating in the event. They are joined by Tanner Big Canoe, a Junior Software Developer at Pinnguaq and co-organizer of the hackathon, Tanner Big Canoe who provides some context on hackathons and how they can be beneficial to competitors.To learn more, check out the latest issue of the Root & STEM magazine, AI Amplified: Staying Cybersafe(00:44) What is a hackathon?(02:48) Callum (winner) introduces himself(03:04) Aiden (winner) Introduces himself(03:14) Winning project described(06:02) Aiden & Callum share how roles were divided(07:41) Tanner explains the display of management skills(08:29) Callum and Aiden share their dream jobs(10:20) The three identify the challenges and some advice for future competitors(13:47) Aiden shares a solo project he made using the skills he gained from the hackathon(14:52) Aiden & Callum highlight the importance of learning code in school

Lawyer and UOIT Business Law Professor, Dr. Rajen Akalu offers insights on the privacy concerns of artificial intelligence and data collection. He shares examples of misuse of personal user data (12:03) and describes the current legislation aimed at protecting the privacy of Canadians (23:13). Dr. Akalu also identifies a middle ground between business and ethics when it comes to privacy and explains how to use AI safely and effectively.

On this episode of The Root & STEM Podcast, host and journalist Sofia Osborne speaks with Aidan Pine, a researcher working on the Indigenous Language Technology project at the Canadian National Research Council. Pine shares what got him interested in language revitalization (00:56). He then explains how his endangered language dictionary app Mother Tongues was founded (03:35). Aidan explains the ReadAlong Studio, a part of the Canadian Indigenous languages technology project that he has assisted, and how it’s helping young learners. (13:56). Finally, Aidan shares his vision moving forward for Mother Tongues (17:39).