After a serious motorcycle accident that left him temporarily paralysed, Keenan Andrew left his career as a stone mason behind and returned to his long-held passion to work with children and youth. He began his post-secondary education at 29 years old.
Lysozymes. Particle physics. Virtual reality. Drone technology. Black holes. These are a few of the science and technology topics that 10 Indigenous high school students delved into during a week-long STEM residency at the University of Victoria from May 27-31. The grade 11 students—nine from BC and one from Saskatchewan—were mentored by UVic professors and grad students over five eventful days on campus.
How does one “speak back” to violence experienced by Indigenous girls, young women, two-spirit youth, even whole communities impacted from centuries of oppression? This question frames the work of Sisters Rising, an Indigenous-led, community-based research project that honours Indigenous youth who have experienced sexualized, gender-based violence by offering traditional land- and arts-based teachings.
UVic social work student Santanna Hernandez's path to university was full of twists and turns—much like the Columbia River cutting through her hometown of Trail, BC. Now a mother of four, Hernandez will graduate from UVic in 2019 and is currently applying to medical schools.
Technology education program aims to shrink diversity gaps
Inspired by local youth and Victoria's growing technology sector, HighTechU is more than a coding program. It's an experiential learning program where high school students build the diverse skills needed to succeed in higher education and the tech industry.
As part of the Ye'yumnuts project initiated by Cowichan Tribes in 2017, UVic anthropologist Brian Thom and his graduate students were invited to partner with Elders, school district staff and others to commemorate an ancient ancestral site in the Cowichan Valley and to develop interpretive materials and school curriculum resources.
Chantal Adams recalls her first encounter with Sandrina de Finney, an associate professor at UVic's School of Child and Youth Care. Adams was a first-year student when De Finney and a master's student visited one of Adams' classes. They spoke about their work with Indigenous children and families, sang and drummed and discussed the concept of intersectionality.
A new research model for studying repeated mild concussions in young brains could increase understanding and transform treatment for this high-risk age group, says University of Victoria neuroscientist Brian Christie.
New research by UVic psychologist Bonnie Leadbeater and lead author Kara Thompson from St. Francis Xavier University has identified specific patterns of cannabis use by youth. Thompson and Leadbeater, along with two other researchers, drew from an earlier youth survey conducted by UVic and Island Health. They expect their new findings will help inform current and future cannabis policies in Canada.
Ask an Expert: Anti-Bullying
Pink Shirt Day is on Feb. 28. UVic psychologist Bonnie Leadbeater is available to speak to media about bullying prevention. Since 2008, the CKNW Orphans’ Fund has hosted the annual anti-bullying campaign Pink Shirt Day in Vancouver. This year's focus is on cyber bullying.
Expanded community engagement into more Arctic communities is helping UVic's Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) carry out the ocean science that matters most to the people who live in Canada’s North.
New funding for expanded community engagement in more Arctic communities will help Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) carry out the ocean science that matters most to the people who live in Canada's North.
A new study by lead author Bonnie Leadbeater garnered media attention across BC and back east about high frequency in young drivers of risk behaviours, particularly for frequent users of marijuana. The study has implications for plans for legalization of recreational use and preventive education efforts.
When her job as a Youth Care Worker with the Cariboo-Chilcotin school district was cut last June, Mikara Pettman, 42, was worried. A happy, productive woman—an equal family partner, mother to two teens and active in her community—suddenl…
