Students and educators throughout B.C. will be able to connect with learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics (STEAM) through a new network of resources and mentorships.

The Ministry of Education and Science World are working together to support the network.

“Students throughout B.C. are preparing now to take advantage of the tens of thousands of rewarding career opportunities that will come from B.C.’s thriving technology sector,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “Our government supports STEAM learning and training initiatives like Science World’s Symbiosis, so students can follow their passions and achieve their career goals.”

Fleming visited students taking part in Science World’s “takeover” of the Parliament Buildings on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019. He announced a $100,000 one-time grant to Science World for Symbiosis, a cross-sector initiative that is under development. It will provide B.C. youth with equal and increased access to education opportunities to help prepare them for the STEAM-heavy job landscape of the future.

"We are thankful for the funds provided by the Ministry of Education that support the important work Science World is doing to expand STEAM learning throughout the province through Symbiosis," said Janet Wood, president and CEO of Science World. "This is the start of a great partnership with the Province of British Columbia and we look forward to growing this exciting initiative with them."

Symbiosis is the first program of its kind in Canada and supports STEAM education by:

• increasing the number of qualified STEAM mentors in B.C. – from teachers and scientists, to technologists and entrepreneurs – so students can engage with mentors on personalized learning projects.
• linking students and educators to networking opportunities, classroom visits, volunteer opportunities, internships and activities like STEAM camps, school-based Super Science Clubs, and the Girls and STEAM Symposium.
• developing a digital hub where students, parents, teachers and mentors can connect and access learning materials and educational opportunities, all linked to the new ShareEd BC tool, which will be available for B.C. teachers in spring 2020.

STEAM learning resources developed through Symbiosis will be used in K-12 classrooms and are aligned with B.C.’s new curriculum, which has a strong focus on science, technology, electronics, arts and design and math, and provides students the opportunity to develop their skills in a range of technologies including coding, electronics, mechatronics and robotics.

Learn More:

Symbiosis: The STEAM Learning Ecosystem: https://www.scienceworld.ca/symbiosis

B.C.’s new curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/