A demonstration of the coding workshop for children during the inauguration of the AWS Big Thinking Space at the Lasallien Center in Saint-Michel (Courtesy Lasallien Center/Maison Seenopsis)
In partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Lasallien Center, in Saint-Michel, inaugurated at the beginning of the week the first digital innovation space in Canada and in the French-speaking world dedicated to young people, in order to offer them privileged access to cutting-edge technologies as well as guaranteeing equal opportunities for all and new future prospects aligned with technological advances.
The Lasallian Center offers different activities to young people in Saint-Michel, giving priority to those facing socio-economic challenges, which includes language barriers. Faced with the rapid evolution of technologies, this socio-educational center is committed to offering the same opportunities to all children. “ These young people leave late, due to their lack of access to these technologies. It is now inevitable to know how to master the operation of tablets or certain applications for school, in order to make presentations at secondary or college level for example. », Underlines Catherine Rousseau, program director of the Lasallian Center.
The Big Thinking Space provides an environment conducive to the exploration and learning of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Open to all children and adolescents aged 7 to 17, this place is intended to offer additional support after school, but also during school days in partnership with certain schools in the area, like its current collaboration with the Louis-Joseph-Papineau secondary school or the Lucien-Guilbault school for young people with special needs. “ Schools do not necessarily have this type of structure, especially in the east of Montreal », Indicates Paul Evra, director of the Lasallian Center.
Educational laboratory
Equipped with cutting-edge technology and designed to stimulate creativity, the new space invites apprentices to explore the worlds of new technologies in a fun way. Children can learn about artificial intelligence (AI), coding or even robotics. “ We have intuitive and simplified robots that allow children to play police-thief in particular”indicates Catherine Rousseau.
One of the robots made available to children in the Big Thinking Space (Courtesy Lasallian Center/Maison Seenopsis)
The Espace Voir grand provides young people with a 3D printer as well as a laser and vinyl cutter. A specialized worker is present to support young people in carrying out their projects.
The place is also equipped with several computers, allowing children to explore new horizons. “ We were able to record our own music using a computer. I had a lot of fun and it will help me progress in music class”declares Derek, a 9-year-old student from Marie-Rivier school who visited the Espace Voir grand at the start of the week.
The Lasallian Center staff would like to strengthen its partnership with local schools and develop AI introductory sessions for teachers. “ AI can be a real lever in education. It can be used to create personalized learning paths, identify the difficulties of each student and offer exercises adapted to their level », explains the program director.
Train the future
The new generation has an increasingly widespread interest in new technologies. “ Among all the courses offered (chess, visual arts, theater, badminton, boxing, etc.), the one with the most registrants is the introductory coding course », illustrates Catherine Rousseau.
This enthusiasm is good news since the demand for AI experts is exploding today, and the supply of qualified talent is struggling to keep up. “ Currently, 83% of companies in the country plan to integrate AI into their activities. However, more than three out of four Canadian employers say they have difficulty recruiting them. “, we can read in the AWS report on the workforce of tomorrow’s jobs, published in November 2023.
The future of AI thus involves training young people, believes Paul Evra: “ Children starting school today are destined for careers that, for the most part, do not yet exist. It is therefore absolutely necessary to offer them these skills which are studied through STEAM. »
The official inauguration of the Big Thinking Space (Courtesy Lasallian Center/Maison Seenopsis)
In addition to its initiative in new technologies, the Lasallian Center is preparing to inaugurate a brand new recording studio, part of the “art” component of STIAM. The studio will open its doors in the coming weeks so that the voices of young Saint-Michel residents can vibrate and resonate in the neighborhood.
