It appears a more significant number of students across Thunder Bay are staying in school thanks to a non-profit group.
The local program manager for Youth Fusion, Scotia Biloski, tells us mixing about 20-30% of the contemporary school science curriculum into its Environmental Design Program, for example, is helping.
“So the students are still getting those curriculum points, but they’re just learning it in a hands-on way. So we work with the coordinator, who is either a post-secondary student or recent grad, in the field.”
She notes as Youth Fusion begins working with students at the start of the school year, the level of disinterest students display in school starts to change.
“By Christmas, we usually see them turn around, and take on a leadership role in their classroom, in our program, which is fantastic.”
The program manager tells us they bring hands-on learning experiences into the schools for programs such as media, environmental design or others.
“We want to get kids engaged in the project they’re doing, and take pride and ownership, and want to be involved in something that is at their school. So they can continue with their studies.”
Youth Fusion started in Quebec about 11 years ago and moved into Ontario about two years back. (Photos supplied)
