I-STEAM
Overview
The I-STEAM Pathways Environmental Education and Research Program for Indigenous students facilitates experiential, cross-disciplinary learning and enables First Nations, Métis and Inuit undergraduate students to gain research experience in diverse environmental fields of study, including science, environmental engineering, environmental law and policy. Additionally, the I-STEAM program offers a pathway for students in environmentally-related disciplines to explore their potential career options in environment-related fields. A key component of the program is the opportunity to gain and/or integrate Indigenous environmental knowledge and protocols into the research.
Benefits
By participating in the I-STEAM Pathways Program, students are able to benefit from working closely with leading environmental experts and researchers at the University of Alberta. In addition to undertaking hands-on research projects under the mentorship of an expert researcher, students take part in non-credit interdisciplinary seminars, building their communication and collaboration skills and exploring options for career paths.
Application Information
- For Students: For more information, including instructions on how to apply, explore the I-STEAM site.
- For Partners: The I-STEAM Pathways Program is committed to addressing critical environmental issues and climate crises. The program supports Indigenous undergraduate students and their communities, by facilitating pathways for students to gain research experience in areas such as science, environmental engineering, environmental law and policy. Additionally, the program can offer a pathway for students to pursue graduate studies or careers in environment-related fields. To learn more about how you can get involved or sponsor the program, please contact isteam@ualberta.ca.
Contact
Contact isteam@ualberta.ca for more information.
Program Details
Work-Integrated Learning
- Internship
- Other
Eligibility Requirements
- To be eligible for the I-STEAM Pathways Program, you must provide your identity as First Nations, Métis or Inuit and be a student attending a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada, enrolled in an undergraduate or pre-undergraduate program (e.g., post-secondary transfer from accredited College).
- Students must be available to work during the summer months (between May and August) to participate in the Summer Environmental Research Intern program.
- Students from all faculties are eligible to apply for the I-STEAM program. However, the projects available to interns must align with the long-term goals of the program: “addressing critical environmental issues through the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge, ethics and worldviews in environmental policy, planning and practice”. Therefore, students applying for the program should demonstrate interest in this area as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to complete an I-STEAM project.
Recognition + Compensation
- Internships are paid experiences for which students receive an intern salary (~$3000/month gross).
Duration, Format + Location
- The I-STEAM program offers a 4 month paid, full-time summer research internship during the summer months (between May and August). Student interns will be supervised by an experienced researcher from the University of Alberta or a partner institution such as the National Research Council. Students will also take part in various one-day seminars on topics related to environmental studies and career pathways. A Celebration of Research event to recognize student achievements will occur at the end of the program, during which students will receive completion certificates and share a poster presentation about the research they engaged in during their summer internship with family, friends, colleagues, University leadership and industry partners.
- Internships and seminars are in-person activities. Specific locations will vary depending on the opportunity.