By Kendall Robertson

New Program Aims To Prepare Students For Jobs Of The Future

Mar 8, 2018 | 12:40 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Design, and Math (STEAM) are the focus of a new collaboration between educators and organizations in the community. Symbiosis is a project that’s hoping to improve the way students learn, and prepare them for jobs that may not even exist yet. “We don’t even know what half of the jobs are going to be in ten years, so what we need to do is create people who have problem solving skills, and critical thinking skills, who can be innovative, to help figure out how to solve the problems of these new careers,” said Exploration Place Deputy Director, Amanda Smedley. While teaching the basics of STEAM, the program hopes to incorporate life skills students of all ages will retain.

Symbiosis uses the term “learning ecosystem” to describe what it’s trying to achieve within communities. “The whole idea behind Symbiosis is to hook people up across a number of different areas. To engage people who are working in a fabricating plant with kids, because there’s a lot of science in there, to engage people working in art with kids, trying to get people across the region to realize just how much science is involved,” said UNBC professor, Todd Whitcombe.

Organizers are hoping for more industry partners, businesses, and organizations to get on board to help shape the program so students are prepared for the always changing workforce.

For more information visit the Symbiosis website.