Building on the tools, resources, mindsets, and technologies covered in this module, we will explore how to bring technology into your STEM workshops, camps, and programs in ways that have a meaningful impact. This involves not only integrating coding and digital skills, but also making intentional cross-curricular connections. By presenting how technologies intersect with various STEM fields, you will help youth understand its role in real-world problem solving and innovation, empowering them to recognize its importance in shaping the future. 

Navigating Digital Spaces

It is essential to equip youth with the knowledge and skills to interact safely and responsibility in the digital world. This is a foundational concept of the Cyber Smart Education Project. In this section, we will explore Digital Citizenship and Digital Hygiene - two critical skills that empower youth to be informed, ethical, and safe participants in digital spaces. 

• Digital Citizenship involves the responsible use of technology and the information we encounter, leave, and share online - our digital footprint. It includes understanding how to behave ethically and respectfully in digital spaces, while recognizing the impact of our digital actions on ourselves, others, and society. 
• Equally important is Digital Hygiene, which focuses on the practical steps we can take to protect our privacy and security online. Similar to how personal hygiene keeps our bodies healthy, good digital hygiene practices help keep our digital identities safe. This includes regularly updating software, using strong and unique passwords, avoiding suspicious links or downloads, managing privacy settings, and being mindful of online behaviour to reduce the risk of cybersecurity threats and data breaches.

Together, Digital Citizenship and Hygiene are essential to preparing youth to thrive in a connected world. Here are some strategies and considerations to help you improve and maintain your own online presence, while also incorporating these mindsets in your STEM workshops, camps, and programs: 

• Personal Online Presence: Review the privacy settings on your social media platforms and consider limiting the personal information visible to youth and others in order to protect against unwanted attention. 
• Digital Devices: Prior to providing youth with devices, it is important to clear out any previous user data, including browsing history, open accounts, or saved passwords. It is also important to provide devices that are approved for classroom use rather than any personal devices. Ensure that all classroom-approved devices are connected to a secure, monitored network, and set clear guidelines with youth about using digital devices responsibly. 
• Model Good Practices: When using web-based technologies, set a good example by following strong security practices yourself and empowering youth to recognize the importance of securing their digital accounts and engaging respectfully in online spaces. 
• Cyber Smart Education: Actua has developed a suite of activities for youth in Grades 2-12 to support discussing Cyber Smart topics including digital citizenship and hygiene. 

Report - Media Literacy x Digital Citizenship

Check out Media Literacy Packet for an AI World (Google, 2024), a guidebook prepared by Google that covers key media literacy concepts and includes ready-to-use lesson plans that can be brought into your STEM programs, camps, or workshops.

Activity 11: Internet Awesome

Explore essential lessons on digital citizenship and hygiene through Interland, a free web-based game by Google. It offers four fun challenges that teach key lessons in digital safety and behaviour.

Game: Be Internet Awesome (Google) 

Complete the “Tower of Treasure” and “Reality River” levels, and consider the following questions as you play.

Reflection Questions: 

• What steps can you take to enhance your role as a role model to youth for both digital citizenship and hygiene?
• How do you ensure that your content creation aligns with principles of digital citizenship and hygiene, including respect, privacy, and security?
• How can you incorporate gamification into your content development to boost engagement and align with learning outcomes on digital skills?

Developed Resources 

Actua has created a set of resources to support your digital skills content development, designed to streamline your planning process and integrate coding and digital skills into the learning environment in an experiential, relevant, and accessible manner.

1. Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial Intelligence Framework

Actua's Artificial Intelligence Framework explores the key components of AI and shows how you can scaffold teaching AI concepts across a variety of age groups. It also provides direct connections to STEM topics that you can use to make curriculum connections and help make your content relevant to your youth audience.

A link to the PDF version of the AI Framework, located here. 

Artificial Intelligence Resource List

Below is a curated list of AI related programs that you can explore and potentially incorporate into your programming. Use the link here, to view the google document. 

Note: It is important that you discuss the use of any online application or account creation with your team and/or supervisor and follow any organizational guidelines and policies related to technology use and/or account creation.

Articles, Posts, and Resources

• Article: Practical Tips for AI

2. Coding and Digital Skills 

Coding and Digital Skills Framework

Actua's Coding and Digital Skills framework establishes a cohesive framework focused on the toolsets, skill sets, and mindsets we aim to nurture in youth through coding and digital skills content. When designing an activity, it is essential to reflect on these connections and challenge yourself to support youth in each of these ways.

Content Framework Guide

The Coding and Digital Skills Content Framework Guide highlights key themes that align with the evolving digital landscape and industry trends. Designed to support the planning stages of activities, workshops, or camps, this guide offers relevant topics and ideas for embedding coding and digital skills. The goal is to help you create lesson plans and activities that are engaging, meaningful, and accessible for youth.

A link to the PDF version of the Coding and Digital Skills Framework Guide, located here. 

Educational Technology in Action

Actua has curated a comprehensive list of educational technologies to engage youth in interactive and meaningful learning experiences. This resource serves as a starting point to support you in discovering tools and platforms that support coding and digital skills development, and can be seamlessly integrated into your STEM workshops, camps, and programs. 

Note: It is important that you discuss the use of any online application or account creation with your team and/or supervisor and follow any organizational guidelines and policies related to technology use and/or account creation.

Activity 12: Exploring EduTech - Bridging STEM and Digital Tools

Using the chart in your Module Workbook or one similar to complete this activity.

1. Choose one to four web-based educational technology platforms from EduTech Essentials: A Curated Guide under Educational Technology in Action. This list also includes educational technology that leverages emerging technology. 

2. Start by exploring the technology, then connect it to STEM concepts. 

3. Finally, reflect on how you might integrate it into your STEM workshops, camps, and programs. 

Tech Integration

Cross-Curricular STEM Connections

Beyond Digital Implementation