seed2STEM

Photo courtesy of STEMCELL Technologies

STEM fields are critical in advancing health care and driving economic success in Canada, yet Indigenous representation in these skilled, well-paid positions remains disproportionately low. seed2STEM, a summer research program for Indigenous high school students in Metro Vancouver and Kelowna, aims to increase Indigenous participation in STEM by introducing Indigenous youth to STEM fields in a fun and supportive environment with paid placements and wraparound supports to ease participation barriers.

How it works: In seed2STEM, university labs host Indigenous high school students in Grade 9-12 for 6-week, paid summer research internships on a topics including neuroscience, engineering, chemistry, biology, math, physics, and other areas of STEM. Students are paid minimum wage to work 25 hours a week. In addition to their research projects, students take part in weekly research-focused group activities, learn from guest speakers (STEM professionals, Indigenous community members), and visit scientific and cultural places of interest on field trips. seed2STEM alumni who go on to undergraduate post-secondary studies at any institution are invited to return for 4-month paid research assistantships, and also act as mentors to new high school students. At the end of the program, students present their research to the research community, friends, family and teachers at a celebration symposium. Wraparound supports (transit passes, loaner laptops, some meals, youth support workers) are provided, and travel bursaries for students from remote communities are available.

Applications for Summer 2025 will open in January.

Summer 2025 program dates: July 7 to August 15
Email summer@icord.org if you have any questions.

Are you a UBC faculty member? Would you like to host a high school student from an Indigenous background in your lab this summer? See this page for full details.