seed2STEM expands to BC Cancer to improve access to STEM for Indigenous youth

The seed2STEM Summer Research Program for Indigenous Youth is designed to increase Indigenous representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing meaningful, paid research opportunities for Indigenous youth. Developed by ICORD, the program offers paid six-week research studentships to Indigenous high school and university students from across British Columbia.

This past summer, the seed2STEM program expanded to BC Cancer as a first-time host institution, in partnership with the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative. 

Building a new chapter and new opportunities

Although BC Cancer had participated in previous years, 2025 marked the first time it served as a host institution at both the BC Cancer Research Institute in Vancouver (BCCRI) and the BC Cancer – Kelowna site. The 2025 program welcomed seven students – six high school students and one university student – from both local and remote communities. Six students completed their placements at BCCRI, and one student was hosted at BC Cancer – Kelowna.
 
“For me, it wasn’t so much inspiration as opportunity – I’m from a small town and I had no idea the program existed,” reflects Levi Cottrell, seed2STEM student. “I was in Grade 11 at the time and looking for research experience. This was perfect as it was paid, in Vancouver, and covered my living costs. I got to be in a real research setting with wonderful people.”

Creating access to inspire a future in STEM 

To reduce barriers, wraparound supports such as transit passes, loaner laptops, some meals and youth support workers were provided, as well as travel bursaries for students from remote communities.

“I have always wanted to study something within the STEM field and had no clue where to start,” shares Topaz Koett, a grade 10 student in high school. “I’m still unsure of what I want to do or pursue, but this program helped me narrow it down. I was able to explore various things in labs, and I got to meet so many new amazing people and friends.”

Hands-on learning and meaningful experiences 

At the BCCRI, students began the program with a Cancer 101 workshop, which was designed to provide foundational knowledge on cancer to prepare students for their placements. The workshop was delivered by GrasPods and Gynecologic Cancer Initiative trainees. 

To give students meaningful experiences across a range of research environments, the BC Cancer Research Institute team in Vancouver organized a series of guided lab tours. Students visited a variety of research and clinical facilities, including the Radiation Oncology Unit, the BC Generations Project Lab, the Breathomics Lab, the Photonics Lab, and the Cancer Genetics & Genomics Laboratory (CGL).

Seed2STEM students were introduced to BC’s largest population-based cohort study, the BC Generations Project (BCGP), where they learned that BCGP is a longitudinal study following participants both actively (e.g., through questionnaires) and passively (e.g., through a linkage to the cancer registry) over their adult lives to learn more about what causes cancer and other chronic diseases. Students toured the BCGP biobank seeing where specimens are stored and processed, including active DNA extractions on banked blood samples.

The Cancer Genetics & Genomics Laboratory performs cancer tissue and germline molecular testing for the entire province of BC. The students saw the lab set up from accession (i.e., receiving of different specimens from all over the province) to processing, sequencing, and reporting of cases. They also received a talk from technologists who are involved in the BCIT training program on career opportunities as a clinical molecular technologists.

In addition to their research projects, BCCRI students participated in a series of UBC Vancouver group learning activities. These included academic workshops on poster design and presentation, a resume development session, and a career speed-mentoring event with local STEM professionals. Students also visited Microsoft’s downtown headquarters to learn about technology careers and experiment with generative AI tools, and spent a full day at UBC exploring research institutes, labs and museums. Students also took part in cultural activities that highlighted Indigenous knowledge and community. These included an Indigenous cooking workshop hosted by the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society and an afternoon of traditional singing, drumming, and Coast Salish games led by members of the UBC Indigenous Students Society.

Mikayla Daigle, seed2STEM student placed at BC Cancer – Kelowna, participated in a parallel series of UBC Okanagan group learning activities. Students began with a campus tour and a visit to the Indigenous Program & Service Centre, followed by an Indigenous Land Walk led by student Jasmine Peone, who introduced them to native plants and land-based knowledge at the UBC Pond. They also took part in an Indigenous cooking workshop with chef Chantelle Eustache, learning about the history and significance of bannock before preparing their own. Academic workshops included an introduction to poster design facilitated by Dr. Alanna Shwed, a hands-on photovoltaics session hosted by the Laboratory for Solar Energy and Fuels with a tour of Innovation Precinct 1, and a poster practice session to prepare for the August celebration. The cohort also spent a full day at the Dominion Radio Astronomical Observatory and participated in a joint workshop with the School of Nursing and the Southern Medical Program, where they engaged in hands-on activities highlighting careers in health care.

To mark the end of the program, students showcased their work to friends, families and staff during a special poster day. Students created posters aimed at supporting patients and helping recruit future participants, highlighting both their achievements and the breadth of research happening across BC Cancer.

Learning Through Practice and Reflection

Amelia Grevy, seed2STEM student, recalled her surprise with how much precision and patience lab work required, especially with tasks like pipetting, filling test tubes and handling small materials.

“I am most proud of how I was able to understand new and complex topics like biochemistry,” notes Amelia, “I enjoyed working in a wet lab environment and learning many new techniques. It was meaningful to take part in cancer research, even in a small way. I appreciated learning from experienced mentors and applying what I learned in real projects.”

Arwen Buckman, a returning seed2STEM student who participated in 2024 and again this past summer, was motivated to return by an interest in public health and its connection to social equity. Arwen noted that one of the biggest challenges this summer was the steep learning curve: “The amount of background knowledge one needed to understand the majority of the papers and studies I was given – it took me a week and a half to actually retain most of what I was reading!”

Reflecting on her accomplishments, Arwen shared, “I was tasked with creating patient informational resources to explain ctDNA and its clinical applications. Having to explain it meant that I had to actually understand what I was talking about, and it was very daunting at first since I hadn’t had much experience with the amount of jargon and biology terms I needed to know.”

Strength in partnerships 

With support from UBC’s Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism (StEAR) Enhancement Fund, seed2STEM expanded to the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, offering six student placements in gynecologic cancer research labs in 2024. Its expansion to BC Cancer was made possible in part through the generosity of the BC Cancer Foundation, whose donors contributed $30,000 to grow the program and create opportunities for more students, with continued support helping fund future years.

Dawn Cochrane, seed2STEM Cancer Lead and Staff Scientist at BC Cancer, played a central role in coordinating student research placements across the organization, working closely with teams in both Vancouver and Kelowna to establish meaningful learning opportunities.Corree Laule and Cheryl Niamath, seed2STEM program co-chairs, reflect, “We are incredibly grateful to Dawn Cochrane and Michelle Woo, who initiated and piloted the inclusion of seed2STEM into Gynecologic Cancer Initiative labs last year, and, after seeing the impact the program could have on Indigenous youth, championed an expansion across BC Cancer Research province-wide.” They note, “It’s so exciting to witness the far-reaching effects of BC Cancer’s support and mentorship on the students’ academic and personal development!”

Looking ahead 

seed2Stem aims to expand further, with plans to introduce the program to BC Cancer – Prince George next year. Most importantly, the program continues to create opportunities and inspire Indigenous youth to dream big about their futures.

“I want to pursue pathology and I want to help Indigenous people build trusting relationships with healthcare,” states Shana George, a returning seed2STEM student. “I want to be someone Indigenous communities can look to, trust and help. I want to gain knowledge, strength and healing, and bring these back to my communities in the future.”

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