About Nanan Academy

Our purpose is to equip students with essential skills to thrive in a rapidly changing future of work. We focus on fostering creativity, digital literacy, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, collaboration, leadership, adaptability, and cultural competence. We believe it is important to make positive change to society and foster an evolved mindset for the next generation.

The decisions that you make today will influence countless people for generations to come. Education will empower you to make those decisions that will define your path — Shaun Nanan

History of the Academy

Nanan STEM Academy Inc. was founded by Shaun Nanan, former head of the Computer Engineering Technology Program, and Zlatan Fazlagic, with a mission to address the gaps in the education system. Observing that many students were ill-prepared for post-secondary education, Shaun and Zlatan, both children of immigrants with a deep passion for education, sought to create a solution that catered to diverse learning styles.

Believing in the importance of early exposure to STEM subjects, they envisioned an engaging and hands-on learning environment. This vision led to the creation of Nanan STEM Academy Inc. (Nanan Academy), where students explore math and science through experiential learning methods, including coding, video games, and robotics.

Our philosophy is simple: a fun and engaging learning environment fosters competence and a love for learning. Drawing inspiration from successful early education methods in sports, music, and dance, we focus on experiential learning to develop analytical, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills in our students.

In short time, Nanan Academy has grown into a hub for innovation, empowering students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and community leaders. Our commitment to high-quality education for all backgrounds has made a significant impact on our community.

Join us at Nanan Academy, where we are dedicated to building a brighter future through innovative and engaging education.

1998

Sask Polytechnic

Shaun enrolls in Electrical Engineering and Zlatan in Computer Engineering Technology program in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. 

2001

University of Regina

Following graduation from Sask Polytechnic, Shaun and Zlatan attend the University of Regina, Faculty of Engineering. They form a friendship through studying and working on labs together.

2004

Real World Jobs

Upon graduating from university, Shaun works as an engineer, and Zlatan starts a web development company.

2012

Back at Polytechnic

Shaun becomes a program head at Sasktatchewan Polytechnic and Zlatan serves on the Program Advisory both at Computer Engineering Technology program.

2020

Idea is Born

Shaun has an idea how to solve the issue of students being unprepared for post-secondary education. Shaun invites Zlatan to push the boundaries of education.

2022

First Student Project Showcase

The first cohort of students prepares public demonstration of their projects in Moose Jaw, SK, Canada. Media, government, and community in attendance are extremely impressed with the students’ work.  

2023

New Locations Open

Following success in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, classes start in Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Victoria, BC.

2024

Bridging Programs

First students enroll in a software stream bridging program to prepare them for post-secondary including Vancouver Film School.

Meet the Nanan Academy team

Our dedicated team comprises passionate educators, experienced engineers, and enthusiastic mentors who are committed to inspiring the next generation of innovators. Our instructors, creators and advisors bring diverse expertise in education, coding, robotics, and engineering ensuring that each student receives personalized guidance and support. Together, we strive to empower young minds to explore, create, and excel in the ever-evolving world of technology and science.

Shaun Nanan

Academic Director

zlatan-profile-image

Zlatan Fazlagic

Operations Director

Stacey Piercey

Instructor and Course Creator

Thayne Winder

Instructor

Reid Gillis

Instructor and Course Creator

Micaella Langit

Instructor and Course Creator

Amanda McCann

Instructor and Course Creator

Rosemarie Zaba Stewart

Indigenous Relations Advisor

Elaine De Loyola

Instructor and Course Creator

Max Wainewright

Course Creator

Stephanie Morrison

Instructor

Michael Lamothe

Instructor

Bri Colenutt

Instructor

Rhys Turcotte

Instructor

Do you want to study at Nanan Academy?

Please fill out the form below to tell us a bit more about your future creator of technology, and we will do our best to meet their learning needs.

General FAQs

  • Just fill out the Contact Us form at the top of our website and tell us a bit more about your learner. We will match you with the best teacher in your area. 

  • At Nanan STEM Academy, we’ve designed a program that ignites a passion for learning. Through dedicated mentorship and a hands-on, project-based approach, we inspire students to explore and master complex concepts across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Our curriculum aligns with Canadian educational standards, ensuring students receive a well-rounded and rigorous education.

    We meet students where they are and guide them toward post-secondary pathways, all while equipping them with essential future-ready skills. To learn more about how our academy stands apart from other STEM programs, read this blog post. For deeper insight into our educational philosophy, watch this TEDx Talk by our co-founder.

  • Students work on a variety of projects, including designing video games, building robotic devices, and creating animations, all of which help them apply their learning in practical ways.

    We assess student progress through project-based evaluations, regular feedback, and skill assessments to ensure they are meeting learning objectives.

  • Course durations vary, ranging from short-term workshops to longer, ongoing programs that run throughout the school year. We have courses that take students all the way to post-secondary bridging programs.

  • Coding boosts children’s critical thinking and problem-solving abilities as they break down complex problems into manageable parts. It nurtures creativity by encouraging them to create and design unique projects. Through collaboration on coding projects, they build teamwork and communication skills. Additionally, coding enhances logical reasoning, patience, and perseverance as children debug and refine their code. Altogether, it prepares them with a toolkit of essential skills for a tech-driven world.