Photo/RDP.
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) is being recognized on the national stage for creating innovative experiences for Indigenous youth.
Actua, Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach organization, presented RDP with the Actua Experience Award at its 2025 National Conference.
The award was in recognition of the institution’s Red Hot Science program, which is designed to advance scientific knowledge and discovery for Indigenous youth.
“We appreciate this recognition by our valued partners at Actua to continue supporting Indigenous youth in STEM education through our dynamic Red Hot Science program,” said David Pye, Dean of the School of Trades and Technology. “These innovative opportunities incorporate STEM experiences, cultural relevance, and community connections. They may inspire youth to pursue a career in STEM, helping to fulfill the needs of communities and industry across Alberta.”
The Red Hot Science program is housed within RDP’s School of Trades and Technology. It offers students from kindergarten to Grade 12 customizable hands-on activities while removing barriers to STEM experiences.
Through the program, classes and youth groups can learn about engineering and technology, create simple coding, build robots, enhance their digital skills, and perform experiments in RDP’s Biology, Chemistry, and Physics labs.
RDP’s STEM youth outreach through the Red Hot Science program provides meaningful cultural experiences for Indigenous youth while creating opportunities to earn credits in collaboration with regional high schools, including Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools Indigenous Education Services.
In the Four Seasons land camp, youth combine traditional learning such as fish leather tanning and food preservation with opportunities to create digital stories about their year-long experiences.
The newly launched Aunties in Training program recognizes and addresses the unique challenges faced by Indigenous girls. The camps are led by female Elders, Knowledge Keepers, educators, and RDP faculty and staff.
This program provides unique opportunities for youth from the Rocky Mountain House region, through collaboration with Wild Rose School Division, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, and O'Chiese First Nation School.
Both camps will be offered as dual credit programming beginning in the fall, where students can earn both high school and post-secondary credits.
Indigenous leaders guide the camp curriculum, helping to create culturally responsive land-based learning that ensures impactful outcomes.
**With information provided by RDP
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