SunMin Park
Moncton, NBSunMin is a Bachelor of Science graduate from Mount Allison University where she pursued her life-long passion for science as an honours student conducting biomedical research. While she is very grateful to have had educationally enriching learning experiences through the interdisciplinary science programs at university, SunMin knows first-hand that there is a lack of hands-on STEAM learning opportunities for many students growing up in New Brunswick. This is particularly exacerbated for those in rural and remote communities where community and school-based learning environments are comparatively difficult to access. Consequently, she joined forces with other professors and students on campus to help improve access to STEAM-related educational resources and opportunities for young children growing up in rural New Brunswick.
Together Time
Together Time intergenerational literacies programming was first launched with its story sacks program, a hands-on family literacies tool that pairs picture books with complementary sensory materials oriented around a theme distributed to K-2 students across the Tantramar region. It has since expanded to include the Onsite program, welcoming K-2 students from local schools to Mount Allison University campus for a day of exciting, engaging, hands-on, interdisciplinary STEAM learning.
About this Project
Communities Served
My project will involve and/or impact the following communities:
- At risk youth & children
- Refugees & newcomers
- Racial or visible minorities
- Multi-barrier populations
- LGBTQ2+ Community members
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with disabilities
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
When it comes to community impact projects, the UN has created 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These are the Sustainable Development Goals associated with my project.
- SDG 4: Quality education
- SDG 5: Gender equality
- SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
- SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals
- SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
How the project works
On top of improving and enhancing the story sacks and onsite programs, the second extension of our Together Time initiative will also see the program create and design our own science-themed book. This will engage the young students along the literacy process with the goal to have the book ready some time during the 2023-24 academic year.
Project Impact
Since the pilot, Together Time has provided quality educational resources and learning experiences to young students in rural Tantramar region by further removing barriers to participation in literacy programming. It also provided opportunities to undergraduate students to learn and grow through teaching, all while giving back to the local community that has welcomed them with open arms.
Project Mission
The Together Time initiative promotes bonding and a culture of learning in households across our rural region disproportionately isolated by factors including poverty, low literacy skills, and limited transportation options.
Project Team
We're a group of students and professors from Mount Allison University.
- SunMin Park
- Dr. Susie Andrews
- Dr. Jill Rourke
- Dr. Carla VanBeselaere
- Logan Reid
- Tannis Nelson
- Micah Lea
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