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 Roles

00:46 Defining Digital Citizenship

01:41 Common Misconceptions About Digital Citizenship

03:53 Teaching Soft Skills in Digital Citizenship

06:12 Spotting Fake News and Misinformation

08:31 AI's Impact on Digital Citizenship

10:51 Combating Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

14:14 Digital Literacy vs. Digital Citizenship

16:00 Advice for Parents on Digital Safety

18:43 Understanding Digital Footprint

20:25 Key Takeaways and Resources

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 Lee

00:35 Origins and Mission of ODLAN

02:25 Defining Digital Literacy and Citizenship

04:45 Misconceptions About Digital Citizenship

07:07 Online Safety for Children

11:55 Ethical Concerns and Future of AI

21:37 Resources and Final Thoughts

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 Background

01:19 Journey into Digital Citizenship

05:14 Defining Digital Citizenship

10:10 Digital Citizenship in Nunavut

20:32 Challenges and Solutions in Digital Citizenship

37:13 Resources and Recommendations

44:17 Conclusion 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 Role

00:43 Overview of Makers Making Change

02:06 The Story of Neil Squire

04:21 Examples of Assistive Technology

05:54 Courtney's Journey into Assistive Technology

10:35 Workshops and Their Impact

14:49 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 Background

01:33 Christine's Personal Journey with Hip Hop

05:17 Integrating Hip Hop into the Classroom

10:22 Your Voice is Power Program

12:49 Adapting the Program for Indigenous Youth

13:43 National Competition and Success Stories

19:37 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 Background

00:27 Integrating Indigenous Languages in Technology

01:36 Challenges and Importance of Indigenous Representation

02:48 Current Software and Indigenous Knowledge

12:31 Ethical Considerations in Technology

14:21 Community-Centered Technology Workshops

25:15 Personal Stories and Philosophies on Programming

28:27 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 Podcast

00:26 Meet Maura Grossman: Expert in AI and Law

00:57 Understanding Deepfakes and Their Implications

02:46 Deepfakes vs. Shallow Fakes: Key Differences

04:16 Real-World Examples of Deepfake Impact

05:39 The Liar's Dividend: Exploiting Deepfakes

07:37 Threats to Democracy and Public Trust

08:54 Technological Advancements in Deepfake Detection

11:41 The Role of Governments and Regulations

14:03 Responsibilities of Tech Companies

15:18 Public Awareness and Education

18:29 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