Hands-On Science and Heartfelt Connections in North Spirit Lake

I had the pleasure of visiting Victoria Linklater Memorial School in North Spirit Lake First Nation this week. It was an incredible opportunity to work with the students, encourage critical thinking, and inspire them to explore the exciting world of STEM.

This was my second year returning, and I could feel how meaningful it was for the students to see us again. In working with Indigenous communities, I’ve learned how essential it is to build trust, respect, and meaningful connections. I truly felt that during this visit.

The students had a blast learning about robots, discovering sound by building record players, growing brine shrimp, incubating bacteria, and much more. I even dyed my hair white for the occasion, looking like a “mad scientist”, which the kids absolutely loved! They had so much fun calling me the “crazy scientist” and I embraced it fully. I even got to do some land-based learning, going ice fishing with the locals, and I caught two walleye!

Teaching science isn’t just about textbooks. It’s about making learning engaging, hands-on, and relatable. Something students can see, touch, and create. That’s what I love about my work with Pueblo Science, and I’m proud to be part of a team dedicated to making STEM education fun and accessible. I’m especially excited to continue this mission with my upcoming trip to Indonesia and the Philippines, where we’ll work with rural and Indigenous communities to inspire innovation and empower students to develop ideas that can help address their community's needs.

A heartfelt thank you to the elders and teachers at North Spirit Lake for welcoming us back into your beautiful community. We’re already looking forward to seeing you again next year!