Students at the Cowessess and Kahkewistahaw community schools are being hooked up with robots and high-tech digital training as part of a pilot project announced by the provincial government today.

The announcement was made this afternoon at the Cowessess Community Educational Centre.

The project called, RoboYOU, will help the students develop digital literacy and computer programming skills by using robotics.

The program was created by Innovation Saskatchewan. It is designed to provide First Nations students in rural and remote communities with exposure to the high-tech learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“With digital technologies evolving at a fast pace, we want to help prepare Saskatchewan youth to meet the opportunities they bring,” said Steven Bonk, the minister responsible for innovation. “Through RoboYOU, we aim to provide students in First Nations communities with the chance to develop the technology skills they need and inspire them to consider careers in this area.”

The program will be offered to students from Grade 5 through 9.

Once the five-month pilot project is complete, Innovation Saskatchewan will review the results and figure out the next steps for expansion.

(PHOTO: Cowessess First Nation Community School. Photo courtesy of cowessessfn.com)