seed2STEM, the summer research program that offers paid research internships to Indigenous high school students, grew again this summer.
The program, which started at ICORD with one student in 2018 as a way to address underrepresentation of Indigenous people in STEM, welcomed 104 students in 2025, including 7 undergraduate program alumni.
Students got together on Mondays for field trips, guest speakers, and other fun activities.
Students from across Metro Vancouver, Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, and as far away as Tumbler Ridge, Bella Bella, and Gitlaxt’aamiks (formerly known as New Aiyansh), were hosted by researchers at UBC-V, UBC-O, hospitals and health research sites, Simon Fraser University and the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory. Students explored a wide range of disciplines including Astrophysics, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Earth Science, Engineering, Forestry, Kinesiology, Math, Medicine, Neuroscience, Nursing, Physics, Psychology, Public Health, and Zoology.
Kelowna-based students visited the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Kaleden.
Abigail Nicholson just completed her fourth summer with seed2STEM. “I started seed2STEM at UBC-O when I was in Grade 10, and now I’m a second year Science Undergrad at UBC-Vancouver. Through this program I’ve been able to try out different areas of STEM, and gained a lot of really useful skills. I’m excited to continue building on what I’ve learned, and pursue a medical career in the future. In fact, I chose to come to UBC because of my great experience with seed2STEM!”
seed2STEM is increasingly recognized as a powerful pathway to post-secondary education for Indigenous youth. Dr. Antonieta Mar-y-paz Rivera, Executive Director of the Verna J. Kirkness Foundation, recently called it “one of the most impactful and well-structured reconciliation initiatives addressing the critical need for Indigenous professionals in STEM.”
To date, 39 seed2STEM students have graduated from grade 12. Of those, 88% have gone on to post-secondary studies, with 76% choosing to pursue STEM fields.
But before they get to college or university, seed2STEM students are having a lot of fun while exploring their interest in STEM! See for yourself, in this new video!
Special thanks . . .
. . . to all the students who spent their summers learning about STEM; the teachers in school districts across the province who encouraged students to apply to seed2STEM, the host labs who trained and mentored the students and gave them a taste of what a career in STEM is like; the guest speakers and speed mentors who gave their time to share their stories; the UBC Museum of Anthropology, School of Biomedical Engineering, Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, Pacific Museum of Earth, UBC-O School of Nursing and Southern Medical Program, Microsoft Vancouver, Land-to-Table Catering, Solar Energy for Net Zero Research Excellence Centre, and Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory for hosting visits and activities; Friendship Catering for feeding us in Vancouver; our generous funders, and everyone who helps reconciliation grow through this program.
Want to know more about seed2STEM?
Hear from seed2STEM students hosted by members of the Djavad Mowafagian Centre for Brain Health (including more from Abby Nicholson!) in this article on the DMCBH website.
Learn about the seed2STEM experience at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute in this BCCHR news story.
