Where's Wilfred| Better Together
Awards & Nominations
Where's Wilfred has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
Better Together
InYTech
Summary
The challenge in Confront - Better Together was to create a tool that would help bridge a gap of inequality people are facing today. The challenge we decided to tackle was the lack of representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM careers, and the technology gap that keeps them from getting there.Our team Where’s Wilfred wanted to create a streamlined resource that not only educates youth on the Indigenous technology gap, but also provide activities and make opportunities and tech more accessible to Indigenous youth. Thus, here we introduce a website, a organization and a resource we can stand behind: InYTech
How We Addressed This Challenge
The Where’s Wilfred team developed a resource in the form of a website, which provides easily accessible resources for Indigenous youth to enter STEM fields. Additionally, there are numerous articles and materials that will help educate the general public on the technological gap and issues the Indigenous people face. We hope to close the gap in technology for the Indigenous, and let equality overcome all other. Our website provides information and tools for those to be educated on this issue that needs to be highlighted. We view ourselves as the bridge that connects this issue to those who need it. We hope to lend a helping hand.
How We Developed This Project
When initially brainstorming for the hackathon, immediately, the topic of Indigenous rights stood out, in light of orange shirt day and the recent discussion surrounding Canada's problematic history. And while the idea of reconciliation is frequently associated with various rights, we believe that a critical aspect to change is creating the right environment for the next generation to achieve success. Currently, BIPOC are extremely underrepresented in STEM fields and that's what we aim to change. We approached the problem with innovation and 21st century skills in mind, trying to determine the best way to provide the adequate resources for success. What we came up with was a tool or website that provide a variety of STEM related opportunities, workshops and articles, as well as resources relating to Indigenous rights, culture and history with reconciliation in mind. To develop our tool, we used the website builder "wix" to create the ideal UI/UX for individuals to use. When working, we faced various challenges, particularly those pertaining to communication, as we were all in different locations due to the pandemic. In addition, the website builder we use limits editing to one user at a time, so staying organized, occupied and best managing time was a struggle at certain points. Overall, we faced certain hurdles, however we were able to overcome them with team work and perspiration ultimately culminating in a tool that we hope can make a difference!
How We Used Space Agency Data in This Project
CSA data, was used as a starting point for our resource, as it inspired us to create the website (survey about Indigenous Unemployment). It was used as a baseline for the materials we needed to include in our resource, and allowed us to have a better understanding of what we needed to address. The information and data was also used as part of the resources in our website (under "Articles" and "GO TO MAP"). The interactive story map is an incredible resource that we emphasized. In addition to these two uses, there are a few other statistics that are scattered throughout the website, and our presentation.
Project Demo
Project Code
Data & Resources
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4110001401
Reasons for difficulty in finding work by Aboriginal identity, unemployed
What would help most to find a job by Aboriginal identity, unemployed
A bridge between Indigenous knowledge and NASA | Waterloo Stories | University of Waterloo
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