Session 05

TRACKS

TRACKS is a not-for-profit organization operating in association with Trent University's Indigenous Environmental Studies/Sciences program. Our focus is on knowledge integration- helping children and youth explore environmental science from both Western and Indigenous perspectives. Using hands-on activities during classroom workshops, outreach activities, after school workshops and camp experiences, TRACKS helps Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth build leadership skills to help solve environmental issues in their own communities, while promoting Indigenous knowledge as an equally important perspective within the scientific community. In this session we'll be exploring the theory and best practices behind our approach and how you as a classroom teacher can respectfully engage with Indigenous knowledge within your science classroom, with a particular focus on Physics. We will discuss culturally responsive education as an emerging conversation, explore various concepts in Indigenous knowledge and their connection to Physics and other disciplines, and get hands-on with some fun demonstrations and activities. We look forward to meeting you!

Biography

Aanii/boozhoo, Heathyr ndizhinikaaz. Hello, my given name is Heathyr Francis. I grew up on Pigeon Lake and now call Big Bald Lake my home. A registered teacher not working in the public education system, I wear many hats, many of them related to education such as with the TRACKS. I can also be found hosting hand building workshops at the Kawartha Potter’s Guild and during the school year at Ganaraska Forest Centre. In my work and extracurriculars I make sure I am using both sides of my brains and the skills I acquired with a joint B.Sc in Anthropology and Biology, with teachables in Art and Biology. I feel very connected to the land and the water of this area, Nogojiwanong/Kawartha Lakes. I continue to learn about this place by exploring, observing and reflecting on my experiences with it. The TRACKS Youth Program is important to me because TRACKS’ strength come from the people that pull it together every year and the experiences that we have and share together. This is why I love TRACKS. Kids that come to TRACKS are promised to have new experiences, both indoors and outdoors and will challenge their ways of thinking about the world around them. Parents should expect to have conversations with their children about their experiences with TRACKS and may learn something new as well!! Teachers may see their students in a new way while participating in a TRACKS workshop. Our desire is to be inclusive and inspire curiosity! My role at TRACKS is to bring my understanding of science to the workshops and educational experiences, always hoping to trade some of my knowledge for other ways of knowing/looking at things that will lead to new experiences!