Meet Alex McEwan (BA/BEd '24), Indigenous STEM Program Coordinator, Destination Exploration and Arts & Science Outreach

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Calgary but spent many summers in Lethbridge and the surrounding area, due to having family in this part of the province. After breaking my spine in my Grade 10 year, I decided to work towards independence by going to school in another city after high school. I was drawn to the university by its education program, as I had heard about the value of a ULethbridge degree. As a bonus, I had family roots in the city to help build a support system when I got here. During my degree, my wife and I decided to buy a home in Lethbridge, and as such, it has become the place we call home.

How long have you been at ULethbridge, and what do you do here?

I spent six years as a student here at ULethbridge, and I worked for Destination Exploration (DE) during the last two summers of my time as a student. Following graduation, there was a period in which I could not get my teaching certificate due to waiting for forms. During that period, I was given the opportunity to work part-time with DE, helping with their Indigenous STEM program. The program later became a yearlong contract to continue the work full-time, which I gladly accepted in January. As part of this role, I spend my time working with Indigenous youth and educators both on and off the reserve. The program gives kids exciting hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) experiences to grow their confidence in STEM. I also do in-school workshops, and we run summer camps, sticker competitions, code robots, use 3D printers, make explosions, and so much more, all with the goal of making STEM something youth see as exciting and inviting, no matter what background or interests they may have.

What's the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is getting to see the excitement on the faces of the students who see me and recognize DE’s logo or our shirts, and begin to freak out with excitement about the amazing science they are going to get to do. With kids often exclaiming proudly, “I know you, you came to my school and we coded the robots!” Even though that was only an hour of my day a year ago, that moment had an impact on a young student, and if they can tell me all about what they did even a year later, it makes all the long days worth it.  

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Outside of work, I am an avid camper and angler. I hope to spend as much time in a canoe fishing as possible. When I am out in the great outdoors, you will find me reading historical books, playing cards, fishing or bird watching with my wife. During the winter months, I enjoy hockey and am an avid Calgary Flames fan, or I like to play video games and build fishing lures using my 3D printer. Most of all, I like to sit and relax with my wife and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.