FCAT supports northern BC communities with increased learning opportunities

The Nechako Lakes School District (SD91) has one of the largest Indigenous student populations in BC and serves 14 First Nations communities. SD91 is spread out across an area of 70,000 square kilometres and serves just over 4,000 students. The Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology's multi-year memorandum of understanding with SD91 is intended to support teachers and students with increased learning opportunities.

As part of this initiative, staff and students from FCAT and the School of Interactive Arts & Technology (SIAT) visited Nechako Valley Secondary School and Evelyn Dickson Elementary School in Vanderhoof on April 25^th to lead students through a series of graphic design and digital literacy workshops.

These are some of our favourite photos from the trip.

Students at Evelyn Dickson Elementary School had been working on a project where they were creating their own businesses. The SIAT students Kibi Yip and David Waizel taught the group foundations of graphic design so they could create a logo for their businesses.

At our next workshop, our team talked with two groups of Grade 5/6 students about their digital footprint and digital literacy. Students learned how their behaviours impact the digital world and how to use critical thinking skills to evaluate the reality of what they’re seeing online.

One of the challenges for the students in these workshops was to build an indestructible skyscraper out of spaghetti noodles and marshmallows. Teams were given points based on the height, structural strength, and design!

All in all, the trip was a resounding success and we’re all looking forward to continuing to strengthen FCAT’s relationship with the communities of SD91!

Learn more about School District 91 – Nechako Lakes.