Author

Carlie Parkinson

Phase 3 is a go – 4 exciting plans for Summer!

It’s been a long 4 months and many people are feeling exhausted with the social distancing, but we’ve done a great job and our COVID case numbers have shown it! BC has things under control and we are now entering Phase 3! Because of our diligence in social distancing, washing hands, and wearing masks, we are getting to enjoy a great Summer with some of the iconic events that make Summer special.

Phase 3 allows for more businesses to reopen, the film industry to resume shooting, and for local travel to take place – but it doesn’t mean the pandemic is over or that we can let our guard down entirely. Phase 2 guidelines remain in place, such as physical distancing with those outside your bubble and while out at restaurants.

“We need to remember that although we’re going to have a summer that’s better than we would have thought perhaps a few months ago, this is not a return to normal,” said Horgan Wednesday.

With this in mind, what can you look forward to this Summer?

1. Canada Day the PNE will host the first-ever drive-thru Canada Day celebration. Designed with full COVID protocols in place as a ‘reverse’ Parade which will see guests drive their cars along the Parade Route. The experience will celebrate everything Canada with live performers, logger sports, and a celebration of Canada’s national sport of hockey along the route. Guests will be encouraged to decorate their vehicles in a Canadian theme and dress in their favourite red and white and wave the flag with pride. Tickets are $10 per car and are available at Ticketleader.ca.

2. Playland Amusement Park! On July 10th the PNE will reopen the first phase Playland Amusement Park for the summer. This initial opening will include between 10-12 of the park’s most popular family-friendly rides and attractions. Additional rides will be added later this summer. Tickets will be under $30 per person for Playland phase one and will be available June 30 at Ticketleader.ca.

3. Roadtrips! More than half of British Columbians are planning to hit the road this summer making it more important than ever before to prepare as planning plays a pivotal role due to pandemic restrictions and uncertainties. In a recent survey from BCAA, 83% of British Columbians say they won’t go anywhere without checking that their destination is welcoming visitors. And, 75% of people planning to road trip this summer planning to prepare more carefully than usual in order to keep safe during the pandemic. Here are a few tips to make sure your trip goes off without a hitch!

Think about who is in your bubble and whether you want to increase the risk to them by traveling
Stay home if you’re sick!
Continue to uphold COVID-19 safety precautions, such as washing your hands, physical distancing, and cleaning your space and surfaces often.
Leave prepared, get your vehicle serviced, inspect your spare tire top up your emergency kit (include items like windshield fluid, pylons, blanket, flashlight, portable battery charger, etc. – don’t forget the COVID essentials, hand sanitizer, wipes, soap, and extra masks).
Plan your destination, book your accommodations, and plan your route in advance. Make sure the places you’re passing through and visiting are welcoming visitors this summer. Bring a paper map in case technology fails.
If you are visiting a smaller community, come prepared with groceries and essential supplies if possible, to prevent the amount of time you spend moving around in that community.

4. Visit the Royal BC Museum in Victoria to catch a blockbuster feature exhibition and snap the annual group photo in front of the Woolly Mammoth. The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition been extended until September 7, 2020. Now in its 55th year, the exhibition comes from the Natural History Museum in London and showcases 100 outstanding nature photographs from around the world. (You’ll need to secure a timed ticket—there will be strict visitor limits in place.) To help your family get the most from the experience, be sure to read art and images curator India Young’s blog post on how to look at art.

The Natural History gallery on the second floor—home to everyone’s favourite Woolly Mammoth—was the first to reopen to visitors on June 19, followed by the First Peoples gallery on the third floor on August 1, and the Becoming BC gallery on September 7. (The phased roll-out includes—ahem—mammoth health and safety enhancements, such as one-way traffic systems, abundant hand-washing and sanitizer stations, enhanced cleaning protocols, and mandatory physical distancing requirements.) The good news: family memberships encourage return visits, and current members will have their passes appropriately extended to reflect the museum closure. (And when the littles get hungry: the food trucks will be open again for physically distanced outdoor dining!)

It’s going to be an exciting Summer and with a little extra effort, we can make sure that BC continues to keep the curve flattened. Enjoy your local community. We live in an amazing Province and there are beautiful places to see in every area.

Keep Safe and Happy Summer!

June 26, 2020 0 comment

Mompreneur

5 essential tips to work from home with kids

written by Carlie Parkinson

Summer has almost officially started in BC and working from home has become the new norm. With only a handful of in-person summer camps available, how do you manage your day to actually be able to do some work?

We spoke with Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, CEO and mother of two, on how she manages her day.

There are 5 things I do to manage a household and a business during these trying times.

Follow a schedule. More importantly, schedule in spare seconds for yourself and your physical and mental health. I wake up before the sun every morning and work out. It’s a form of self-care and a routine that keeps me grounded. It’s not always easy to get up, but when I do, I feel better– more energized yet calm about taking on the day. I also try to meditate and encourage my employees to do the same. As a mother, I have my kids follow a schedule as well and put it on the fridge for everyone to see. When quarantine school is in session, I make sure to give them outdoor time during lunch. During quarantine summer, schedules are a bit looser, (especially due to summer camps being cancelled) but there are still activities like online classes to keep them busy and entertained.
Stay positive, but realistic. Positivity is essential in creating a pleasant working environment. It boosts morale, productivity, and moods. However, avoiding toxic positivity is best, as only seeing the bright side can not only be annoying, but unhelpful. Don’t be afraid of feeling all the feelings when it comes to the difficulties of managing an essential business, working from home with kids, or job hunting after a closure. Seeing the bright side has its place but negating the reality of the situation can be toxic. Acknowledging the lows with the highs can help you keep perspective and be sensitive and empathetic to other’s emotions and unique situations as well as your own. After all, COVID affects all of us a little bit differently, since we’re all a little bit different. Being mindful of our different circumstances and not trying to “fix” every problem that your partner or friend may be venting about is the first step to the right balance of positivity.
Don’t try to be superwoman. Say no to things you can’t do and ditch the guilt. You can’t be two (or ten) places at once. Delegating and asking for help from those around you can benefit everyone and leave you less stressed. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you need it. More often than not, people are willing and wanting to help.
Surround yourself with a good team. This tip goes hand in hand with tip number three. Delegation and teamwork can aid productivity. My kids are old enough now to be part of my team, which helps immensely. Finding trusted sources to lean on is key in times like these. We may be six feet apart in distance, but it feels like we’re closer than ever.
Family time is non-negotiable. Turning the phone and email notifications off when I’m enjoying family time is crucial. My focus isn’t split and I’m able to connect with my loved ones in a distraction-free environment. Especially during times of distancing, this kind of connection can be sanity-saving. In addition, as places and restaurants start to open back up throughout the U.S., I think it’s important to still keep the quarantine bond strong as we ease back into another “new normal”. Let’s keep all the good habits we picked up through quarantine and ditch the bad ones.

Everyone copes with parenting and pandemics differently, but these 5 simple strategies help me get through the days when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe now, more than ever, we should band together… 6 feet apart.

Elyse Stoltz Dickerson is CEO and co-founder of Eosera, Inc., a female-led biotech company committed to developing innovative products that address underserved healthcare needs. Elyse has two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries and managed portfolios with annual revenues of 1.7 billion while driving product innovation and the commercialization of numerous technologies across the globe. She resides in Fort Worth, TX with her husband and two children.

June 23, 2020 0 comment

Parenting

Learn the fundamentals of Digital Parenting

written by Carlie Parkinson

Over the past few months, managing digital devices has become a large part of most parent’s lives. How do we know how much time on the devices is acceptable? How do we know what websites or games are appropriate? Ultimately, how do we know what they’re looking at or doing on those screens?

If you are looking for answers to these questions there is a Digital Parenting webinar that is happening this Thursday, June 25, at 1:30pm ET! This is a free, introductory webinar being held across Canada online and will focus on parents of children between 5 and 11 years old and will discuss questions such as how closely should we watch our kids when they are online, how can we help them stay safe when using the internet, and what is too much screen time.

This initiative is part of the DigitalSmarts workshop series, a partnership between YWCA Canada and MediaSmarts funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

The webinar will be hosted via Zoom and space is limited. Participants will be asked to complete an anonymous pre- and post-workshop survey for evaluation purposes required by ISED.

To register HERE for the event.

June 22, 2020 0 comment

Amusement

PNE Father’s Day treat!

written by Carlie Parkinson

It’s Father’s Day this Sunday and if you have a meat-lover in the family or are just looking for something different to do, why not plan a special outing to the Pacific National Exhibition’s second concessionaire support series. This time the Pacific National Exhibition is upping its game with a salute to dad at the Father’s Day Weekend Car-B-Q event, June 18-21 at Hastings Park.

The event features the two Canadian concessionaires from the annual Fair Ribfest area, Smith family of Ontario with Gator’s Barbeque and Reinhardt family of Saskatchewan with Prairie Smoke. Attendees will also be able to support local family concessionaires Pary and Suzanne Poudier of Reel Mac and Cheese with a choice of two of their most popular PNE Fair mac and cheese favourites as well as Carlie and Scott Dennis of The Fry Guys with an iconic Canadian side, poutine!

The PNE wanted to add a special programming element that will be sure to get dad’s engine running – the first-ever indoor drive-through car show, presented by Canada’s largest hot rod shop, 360 Fabrication of Abbotsford. Attendees will drive across the Pacific Coliseum floor where they will see dozens of amazing classic, vintage, muscle, and hot rods from across the region on display.

The event will be staged in flights, with ticket purchasers picking their day, flight time, and favourite rib concessionaire and sides in advance through TicketLeader.ca. Full social distancing protocols developed in consultation with Vancouver Coastal Health will be adhered to throughout the fun weekend event!

Attendees must pre-purchase an online ticket at: www.ticketleader.ca. Ticket purchases include two tickets to the opening day of the 2021 PNE Fair. Prices are: $29 for one rack of ribs (plus two tickets to the 2021 Fair) and sides of mac and cheese or poutine can be purchased for $12 each. Entrance to the drive-through car show is free with your food purchase.

The Car-B-Q is the second in an anticipated series of events celebrating some of our Playland and Fair favourites and supporting PNE concessionaire families during this difficult time.

What: A Taste of the PNE – Car-B-Q Edition!

Dates: June 18-21, 2020

Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm and 4:00pm – 8:00pm

Location: Enter off Renfrew Street, North of the Pacific Coliseum

June 16, 2020 0 comment

Interest

The power to give

written by Carlie Parkinson

As we have been spending more time cooped up inside lately, many of us are finding ourselves in front of screens to pass the time. Whether it’s the computer, smart-phone or television, this increase in screen time means an increase in our exposure to advertisements. I’ve found it incredibly interesting and inspiring to watch brands pivot their marketing strategies to act in a socially responsible way and support frontline workers. Whether it’s through monetary donations, or by lending their facilities and resources – every little bit helps to relieve the burden!

An amazing example of this is seen in Kia’s Power To Give initiative. Kia Canada has partnered with Food Banks Canada, which are facing an unprecedented need amid the current global pandemic, to support hunger relief efforts across the country. They have pledged $200,000 to Food Banks Canada in order to support the good work they do in the community and are providing vehicles to help enable local food banks and their dedicated teams to continue to serve vulnerable Canadians who are experiencing food insecurity.

Through this initiative, Kia’s commitment to supporting Canadians through this challenging time is clear, and their response enables Canada’s leading hunger relief organizations to do what they do best – feed Canadians in need. This is just one great example of the many ways organizations are stepping their support efforts across Canada, and these initiatives remind us how we can all come together to support one another during this pandemic. If you can spare anything at all, please donate to your local food bank through Food Banks Canada here!

June 15, 2020 0 comment

Activities

A new future for swim lessons

written by Carlie Parkinson

I fondly remember my children’s first swimming lesson. The time spent with them in the pool were memories I won’t forget. Of course, the main reason we teach our children how to swim is for their safety and not just the fun of it. As parents, we want to ensure our children are safe and confident in the water. From 2011-2015, 67% of water-related fatalities occurred from May to September.¹If you are a new mom or have a new baby, how can you ensure you and your baby are more prepared for time in the water? Before we would just register for the baby and me swim classes to get their toes wet, so to speak. Now, what do parents do with the recentres closed, and swim lessons cancelled for the foreseeable future?

Karina Renaud has the answer. As an instructor and owner of Swim for Life with Karina Renaud Inc, Karina created an online course to help save lives by teaching young children foundational water skills from their own homes!

“We want all families, everywhere, to know that learning how to swim is an important life skill that young children are capable of.”

Through the online SwimForce™ for babies program, Karina has provided a way to help parents take the lead in fostering essential life long swimming habits. The program is set up into text explanations and video modules that break the proven water routine down into fun and manageable pieces that can be implemented almost anywhere a parent and baby can get into the water together. Parents are encouraged to start the program with their children as young as two months old but it is good for children up to 4 years old if a child has never taken swimming lessons. An introduction can be done in the bathtub or your backyard pool.

“It’s never too early (or too late) to start using water to teach, calm, and bond with your baby.”

Repetition, routine, and perseverance are essential components in this 6 module program which covers developing a general comfort in the water for baby and parent, back floats, holding on to the side, and finally, head submersion. This is a fantastic foundation. I’m pretty sure my son wouldn’t have done Tiny Tots 1 three times if I had used this method to get him started.

Online Swim Lessons

The SwimForce™ program teaches parents to:

Encourage your baby to build important brain connections.
Provide stimulating sensory experiences for baby in the comfort of your own home.
Teach baby new skills in a quiet and familiar environment.
Strengthen bonds with your baby as they learn new skills, sing songs, and try something new.
Build trust between the parents and the babies as they learn to develop confidence in water situations.
Have control over the environment, water temperature, and the cleanliness of the facilities.
Choose timing that works with your own schedule. (Works around whichever combination of nap schedule your baby is currently choosing!)
Participate in a great activity with your baby, even when it might be freezing temperatures outside!
Build a skill base and comfort in water situations. Feel more confidant joining other parent-tot swim programs or joining free swim at your local pool.
Use techniques to help calm a fussy baby.
Gain confidence in handling your baby in the water.
And MORE…. take away life long swimming skills that will serve in all future water situations.

All you need to get started is the willingness to learn something new, a little time (10-15 min once or twice a week, a bathtub, some towels, a few small bath toys and maybe some bubbles. Oh and don’t forget a baby is also required!

If you’re ready to hop in the bath with your baby you can get started right away. For the month of June the course is 50% off. 40$ CAD instead of 80$ CAD BY using COUPON CODE: JUNE50OFF

Just because most pools are closed doesn’t mean the learning can’t begin. Take the plunge and get “swimming”!

June 1, 2020 0 comment

Events

3 great charities to support remotely

written by Carlie Parkinson

Being stuck at home for the last couple of months has really made me appreciate how lucky my family and I actually are. We have the food we need, shelter, warm clothes, and everyone is healthy.

Since I’m not as wrapped up in the day-to-day busyness and drama, I’ve had more time to watch the news and just look around. This time has also brought to my attention how unfortunate others are. Many aren’t has as lucky and don’t have the bare minimum to get by. Dr. Bonnie Henry announced how many lives were lost to drug overdoses last month. Some of these people aren’t that far away, some are in plain sight. They need our help because they don’t have healthy families, warm places to sleep, or the opportunity for education.

If you’re also realizing how privileged you are and also wanting to take the opportunity to give back, here are a few ways you can help. Rally your local community and make your contribution that much bigger, considering supporting one these great charities listed below.

3 great charities with upcoming fundraisers

Step Up for Families campaign in support Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon’s (RMH BC)
Taking place through the month of June, Step Up for Families calls on the community to achieve their fitness goals while raising money for RMH BC families. Participants are encouraged to walk, run, or roll a total of 73km within the month, symbolizing the 73-room House that shelters parents and siblings of children requiring care at BC Children’s Hospital. All participating individuals (and teams) may tally their distances together to reach the 73km goal.

Each participant or team is challenged to raise a minimum of $125, which covers the cost of one family staying at the House for one night. The event is open to people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels who wish to support families of RMH BC.

SLEEP OUT: HOME EDITION
On Friday, July 10th Covenant House Vancouver will host its first virtual Sleep Out: Home Edition. Covenant House is challenging individuals, families, and businesses to spend one night on their living room floor, on their balcony or in their backyard, and raise crucial funds to support our Street Outreach Program. This is a special opportunity to be a part of a positive movement that will bring our community together to help the most vulnerable youth. This event aims to raise $100,000 for Covenant House Vancouver Street Outreach Program. Registration costs $20.00 per person and will remain open until July 10th

IWANTtoBE presented by Beedie Foundation: Alone, Together: A No Gala, gala
June 4th from 6pm to 7pm
The 6th annual fundraiser was created and named to enable bright girls living in extreme poverty in Kenya to achieve their potential to be what they want to be. Each year, hundreds of girls win scholarships to high school and university through the proceeds of this event. Join Host Mackenzie Davis to hear inspirational speeches from two girls from Kenya, Millie, 24, graduating University with a degree in Journalism and Royashley, 17, finishing high school on an OGC scholarship, going to university next year. Register to make a donation and join in for the online auction. Donations of $99+ will receive an AG Hair gift box (valued at $95).

Thank you for taking the time to read and find out more about how you can help your these amazing charities. Be the change you know you can be! Please share with us in the comments your great community contributions and how you are helping to make the world a better place, in a time when we all need a little more to feel good about. Let’s work together to make sure no one gets left behind or lost in the COVID drama.

May 29, 2020 0 comment

Birthday

4 exciting Birthday Party options!

written by Carlie Parkinson

Birthday parties are one of the most exciting days of the year for a child – the party, the presents, the attention, and don’t forget about the cake! Unfortunately right now many aspects of a child’s birthday have to be scaled down. Of course, they’ll get the love and attention from their family, and presents can still be ordered online, and everyone has been doing so much baking that getting the flour may be the only thing stopping the cake.

With that in mind, Dr. Henry recently announced that, if all goes well, we could be increasing our social contact to 60% of our norm after the Victoria Day long weekend. This means that we can begin to see more friends and family. Now don’t get too excited, these parties are going to have to stay quite small (max 6 people total) but having a best friend at the party -would be so special. In addition to an actual party, there are plenty of online options to stay distanced.

Here are some options to spice up a birthday party.

Bring the PNE to you! The PNE has just launched the PNE Party-in-a-Box, a delivery service that provides an amazing array of celebration supplies to you (the party host), including packages you can share with each of your virtual guests or the lucky few who get to come along. The starter package includes enough cotton candy, caramel apples, cupcakes, drinks, popcorn, and fun for eight people. As the host, you will also receive a plush toy, and 2 tickets to Playland’s 2021 season, to party all over again.
Party with a Princess – Fairy Skye Entertainment has few virtual options for birthday boys and girls. From magical mail to virtual playdates and calls, the team at Fairy Skye has a wide assortment of heroes and princesses to have a special moment with your child.
Virtual Parties from MSP for Kids and Friends! An online arts and crafts party is a great way to bring kids together and still keep the distance. MSP hosts the party online for kids of all ages*, so they can join in on the fun and get creative as well as connect with other kids or their friends. They teach kids in an easy step by step way an arts and crafts project. Created items include Origami bunnies, birds, tulips or 3D cards, finger knitting, friendship bracelets, painting on rocks, yarn art and so much more!
Kids Virtual Dance Party also from MSP! An online party designed to entertain kids while teaching them a dance choreography. A great way to celebrate their birthday with their friends!

Remember to keep safe, but help that special person in your life have a special day!

May 12, 2020 0 comment

Education Parenting

5 tips on how to be more Socratic with your children

written by Carlie Parkinson

The Socratic method is a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions. It is employed to bring out definitions implicit in the interlocutors’ beliefs or to help them further their understanding.

Laura Sandefer, co-founder of Acton Academy, has 5 tips on how parents can integrate the Socratic method in their homeschooling during COVID 19 social-distancing.

Sandefer says, “When we move toward the Socratic mindset of curiosity, we begin to see how this changes how we relate to our children. We are less like carpenters carving them into the shape we want. And more like gardeners, less concerned about controlling them and more focused on providing a rich environment for them to grow into whom they were meant to be.”

Below are her five tips to become more Socratic with your children at home:

1. Commit to a parenting adventure
Get clear on your WHY as a parent. Ask yourself, “What do I want for my child? What do I want to be as a parent? What do we want to be together as a family?”

2. Set the contract
Define your role as Socratic Guide and add structure. Below is a sample contract.
We promise to :

Follow the schedule.
Clean up after ourselves.
Be kind to each other. (This includes not distracting each other when we are working.)
Work hard.
Take play breaks when we need them.

3. Create an attractive game and invite players
Like asking great questions, games elicit engagement and focus. They motivate. Like the Socratic experience, games have rules and boundaries.

Here’s a simple example: Every morning since this quarantine, I post a challenge on the fridge for my family. At 5 pm a competition will be held. The loser does the dishes. This is a game I made up – not to get my children to do their schoolwork, but to add an element of fun and excitement to the close of the day.

Here are a few game examples:

Four Square (I made a court with chalk in our driveway)

Darts (we have a dart board)

SPUD (a game I used to play with neighborhood kids)

Pin the tail on the donkey

2 on 2 football

Card games: Hearts and Spades

Sardines – the hide and seek game

4. Be a tough-minded and warm-hearted coach
It’s not enough to show empathy and affection. Nor is it effective to weigh too heavily on holding boundaries and delivering consequences. Being truly Socratic is a balance between the two.

Warm-hearted behaviors include listening with your whole self and supporting through struggles with love and presence. Tough-minded behaviors include sticking to your agreed-upon schedule, being consistent with the delivery of consequences, and being crystal clear on limits and expectations. We all lean more heavily toward one mindset and it takes self-awareness to know where you need to shift and grow.

5. Unpush your own emotional buttons
Often, what gets us riled up about our children is more about us than about them. Leave your own “stuff” at the door during Socratic homeschooling. Come with fresh eyes and, when needed, pause and step back to get reset.

Laura Sandefer is an author and the co-founder of Acton Academy, a school whose learner-driven model is spreading across the globe with over 130 locations in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Malaysia and more, and in 2019 celebrated 10 years of letting children take learning into their owns hands.

Acton Academy bases its model of learning on the Hero’s Journey: a story pattern common in ancient myths and modern-day adventures in which a hero goes on an adventure, wins a victory, and comes home transformed. Children at Acton Academy know why they are being challenged to learn — they are on their own Hero’s Journey to find their passion in life. Committed to the mission of inspiring children to find their callings, Acton Academy also emphasizes hands-on, real-world projects and apprenticeships. The school also uses adaptive game-based programs through Khan Academy and other online tools for teaching core skills, as well as Socratic discussions to challenge and equip children to be independent thinkers and lifelong learners.

May 6, 2020 0 comment

Entertainment

Coyote’s Crazy Smart Science Show

written by Carlie Parkinson

Please enjoy our sponsored post from APTN.

Season 2 on APTN Celebrates Indigenous Science for Indigenous Children and their Friends premieres on May 10

A helpful resource for parents and educators that’s fun for kids who are staying at home

After a successful first season on APTN, Coyote’s Crazy Smart Science Show (Coyote Science) returns for another brilliant season of Indigenous science. Learn about skateboarding and physics, what it takes to become an astronaut, how to harvest herring roe, and the restoration of the buffalo population. It’s a valuable resource for parents and educators that’s fun for kids who are staying inside. Thirteen half-hour English and Halkomelem language episodes premiere May 10 on APTN. The episodes will also be streaming for free on APTN lumi until the end of May.

Plus, each episode includes a DIY Science Hack activity which is posted on the Coyote Science Facebook page.

Experiment to see how ocean acidification affects invertebrates
Make the original super food “protein bar” – pemmican
See gravity waves with stuff you use at home

Created by Métis-Cree filmmaker Loretta Todd, the Coyote Science team has also created a website, with an interactive comic book with quizzes, and a YouTube channel. “This is science for the YouTube generation,” says Todd.

Season 2 introduces a number of Indigenous scientists, including Percy Paul, a mathematician and physicist who explains the science of a skateboarding technique called an ollie, and Jessica Bekker, an electrical engineer helping Indigenous communities develop sustainable energy. Viewers will also hear from Naxaxalhts’i Sonny McHaisle, who has extensive knowledge of the traditional technology of the Sto:lo Nation, and Corey Gray, who works with the Nobel Prize team that measured gravitational waves at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).

Coyote Science continues to uphold its innovative and creative storytelling methods by utilizing hip-hop beats and strong visuals. Season 2 features celebrity shout-outs from Grace Dove (The Revenant), hip-hop artists Christie Lee Charles and JB the First Lady, Polaris Prize and Juno-nominated Iskwe and Mob Bounce. Animated science stories and DIY science hacks from Kai, the Science Hacker also make a return.

Season 2 takes audiences to Iceland to learn about volcanoes and geothermal power and to Blackfoot Territory to hear from Paulette Fox, the renowned expert on buffalo science. Ethnobotanist T’uy’t’tanat-Cease Wyss shares knowledge about Indigenous plants. Plus, viewers can cheer on Indigenous skateboarders and learn how to make video games and virtual reality experiences from Indigenous game designers and developers.

Science Questers make a return in Season 2, embarking on Indigenous science adventures and interviewing Elders and knowledge holders along the way. Isa White, the youth host, gives cultural context to each episode. Commander John Herrington, the first Indigenous astronaut to walk in space, returns for Season 2 where he showcases STEM achievements of Indigenous Peoples, offers insight into earth science and explains how to become an astronaut.

Loretta Sarah Todd, series creator and president of Coyote Science Inc., says Indigenous science is important to the future of young Indigenous Peoples. “Our youth know that science is cool and that Indigenous science is part of our cultural knowledge,” she says. “They’re curious and want to learn from Indigenous scientists, Elders, and knowledge holders. The world needs Indigenous science and our scientists.”

Todd believes that an accessible, hip Indigenous science show for Indigenous youth fosters a sense of community and provides our young people with a place where they feel supported. An engaging, caring, and enlightening program like Coyote Science creates positive memories and fosters understanding around math and science. Young audience members can then apply this knowledge to their educational journey throughout their lives and careers.

English and Halkomelem language broadcast premieres on May 10

Check your local listings for more information

www.facebook.com/coyotescience2 www.instagram.com/coyotescience2/ @coyotescience2

May 1, 2020 0 comment

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