Bringing real-world learning into remote classrooms through Connected North
A young person’s potential shouldn’t be defined by where they live. Yet for many young people in remote northern Canadian communities, opportunities to connect with new ideas, role models and career pathways can feel out of reach. Limited access to specialist teachers and interactive learning experiences can make it harder for students to discover their interests, explore their potential and imagine a future in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM).
But sometimes a single experience can help a young person see beyond the boundaries of their own community and open up their world in unexpected ways. During a Connected North session exploring the Seven Sacred Teachings, one teacher noticed something incredible. The classroom “fell dead silent, with every student utterly focused on their artwork.” What began as a lesson became a moment of genuine curiosity and connection with the subject.
Connected North helps create these moments by connecting remote classrooms with educators, Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists and artists from across Canada. Through live, interactive sessions, students can ask questions, engage directly with subject matter experts and explore ideas they may not otherwise encounter.
Teachers have felt the difference too. Lessons are more dynamic. Students stay focused for longer. The classroom opens in ways that feel practical and relevant. After a Planet Earth session with the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one Grade 9 teacher described the experience as “fantastic for geography and science”, praising how interactive and engaging it was for students.
With support from the GHD Foundation, these opportunities are reaching more young people across Canada.
- 3,217 students given new learning experiences
- 137 teachers supported
- 80 schools reached across eight provinces and territories
- 176 live STEAM sessions delivered
- 9,415 minutes of interactive learning
The real impact, though, is found in smaller moments. It’s the student who’s discovered a new love of science. It’s the teacher who’s found a new way to connect with students. It’s the classroom that now feels less isolated and more connected to the world beyond it. It’s these moments that change how young people see themselves and their future.
For many students, meeting someone working in a STEAM profession can make future opportunities feel more real and more achievable. Seeing someone share their expertise and answer questions helps build confidence, broaden horizons and encourage students to see what’s possible.
When young people feel connected to learning, opportunities and future career pathways, communities benefit too. Through programmes like Connected North, supported by the GHD Foundation, more students can access experiences that strengthen their confidence and expand their aspirations. The lasting benefit is better access to learning and a future full of possibility.