Day camps, after school programs bring STEM into community

North Kildonan

East Kildonan

St. Vital

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This article was published 31/03/2023 (1005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When opportunity comes knocking, you never know it where it might take you.

For Kylee Kolesar, following her passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics has allowed her to become a business owner and educator. As the North Kildonan resident was finishing her degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Manitoba in early 2022, Kolesar was hired by Engineering for Kids Winnipeg to deliver after-school programming to kids between the ages of six and 16. After graduating, the company went up for sale, and Kolesar saw an opportunity.

“The timing of everything was too convenient to pass up,” Kolesar said. “I don’t know that I’m cut out for being at a desk doing design work, but it’s so great to be out in the community.”

As an undergrad student, Kolesar said the experience of being one of only a handful of female students “an almost entirely male faculty” made her realize there is a need to make STEM education more accessible, not only to women but to others, as well.

“I would love to open this up early for people,” Kolesar said. “It’s important that our program is equally accessible to all communities, to make up opportunities where there weren’t previously.”

Engineering for Kids Winnipeg puts on day camps, workshops, and other out-of-school STEM programming that is hands on and focused on developing foundational skills and concepts.

“It’s meant to be fun, but if you learn some fun science in the meantime, that’s great,” Kolesar said. “There’s a lot of space for kids to make their own design choices. Most activities are kind of a guided build, though they have a lot of freedom for creativity.”

Currently, Engineering for Kids Winnipeg has two after-school programs running for children between six and 16 years of age. On Mondays, starting April 3, a general engineering program will be held at Dakota Community Centre (1188 Dakota St.), while on Tuesdays, starting April 4, an electrical and computer engineering program will run at Bronx Park Community Centre (720 Henderson Hwy.). Both programs start at 5 p.m. each day, and run for eight weeks. Cost is $160.

Kolesar added that plans are being finalized for day camps to run every week this summer, though times and locations were still being determined at press time.

For more information, or to register for sessions, visit www.engineeringforkids.com/winnipeg or call 204-818-1866.