Welcome to the Nanan STEM Academy Blog!

Dive into our latest updates, stories, and tips on coding, robotics, and STEM education. Join us in inspiring the next generation of innovators!

Combining Tradition with Technology at the Cowessess First Nation Pow Wow

From August 13 to 15, 2024, a traditional Pow Wow was celebrated at Cowessess First Nation. The event was a vibrant showcase of Indigenous traditions, featuring drumming, dancing, and community gathering. On August 13th, Nanan STEM Academy set up an engaging booth that drew in children from all around the community. The booth was filled with […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Unleashing Young Minds at the Skills For Success Summer Camp 2024

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, hosted the FutureCamp: Skills For Success Summer Camp from July 29 to August 2, 2024 as featured on Moose Jaw Express news. This event was a team effort by Skills Canada Saskatchewan, Nanan STEM Academy, and the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division. The camp aimed to inspire youth and teach them important […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Industry Sponsorship Fuel Growth of First Nations Family STEM Program, Student Project Showcase

On May 11, 2024, students of Nanan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Academy displayed the spirit of innovation and creativity at the second annual “Innovators Unleashed – Student Project Showcase,” which was held at the Saskatchewan Science Centre. Students ranging from 7 to 14 years old showcased their remarkable projects in coding, robotics, and […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Celebrating 35 Years of the Saskatchewan Science Centre

On August 25, 2024 the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, lit up with excitement as it celebrated “35 Trips Around the Sun,” marking its 35th anniversary. The Adult Science Night event drew in enthusiasts and curious minds alike, offering a delightful array of activities and experiences that showcased the Centre’s enduring impact on […]

  • Shaun Nanan

New Game Development Competition in Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincials 2024

On March 22, 2024, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, hosted the Skills Canada Saskatchewan Provincial competition, showcasing the talent and innovation of young minds across various sectors. Among the 30 competitions spanning six sectors, one new addition was very popular: Game Development. Game Development, which is the first Skills Canada Game Dev competition, brought a fresh wave […]

  • Shaun Nanan

How do I support my 7 year olds curiosity for coding

How do I support my 7 year olds curiosity for coding? A friend recently sought my advice for his son, a bright first-grader with a growing interest in computer coding. Keen to foster this emerging enthusiasm, he inquired about ways to gently guide his child into the enchanting world of programming. As a parent, I […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

Nanan Academy Co-Founder Spoke at TEDxRegina 2024

Shaun Nanan, the co-founder and academic director of Nanan STEM Academy Inc., was on stage for the first TEDxRegina event since 2015. As a computer/electronics engineer with a rich background in education at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Nanan brings a fresh perspective to the world of teaching and learning. A Vision for the Future Shaun’s journey has been marked by innovation […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic
Essential Skills Development through STEM

Teaching Essential Skills for Future Success

In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, it is becoming increasingly important to equip young children with essential skills that will set them up for success in the future. These skills, often referred to as “soft skills,” go beyond academic knowledge and are crucial for personal and professional development. By instilling these skills at a young […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

Empowering Tomorrow’s Tech Leaders: Girls Night Out at the Saskatchewan Science Centre

On September 23, 2023, the Saskatchewan Science Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan, held an inspiring and empowering event: “Girls Night Out: A Go! Code: Girls Event.” Aimed at girls aged 11 to 16, this event sought to ignite a passion for coding, science, and technology while showcasing the immense potential within the female tech community. With […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Exciting STEM workshop at the Moose Jaw public library

The Nanan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Academy brought an exciting workshop to the Moose Jaw Public Library on August 26, 2023. The event featured three captivating activities: snap circuits, block programming called Scratch, and robotics with the mBot. The workshop not only conveyed knowledge, but also ignited a passion for STEM in the […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Innovative Donation set to shape the future of technology education

Nanan STEM Academy has generously donated a state-of-the-art 3D printer to the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division (HTCSD) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. This contribution is set to revolutionize the learning experience for students, equipping them with essential skills for the ever-evolving world of technology. The donation of the Bambu Labs X1 3D printer marks […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Skills for Success Summer Camp Empowers Young Minds for the Future

In an exciting display of educational innovation and collaboration, the inaugural Skills for Success Summer Camp held from July 31st to August 4th, 2023, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, left a trail of delighted and inspired young minds in its wake. Hosted by the Nanan STEM Academy in partnership with the Holy Trinity Catholic School Division […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Skills Canada National Competition 2023: A Celebration of Trades and Technology

The 2023 Skills Canada National Competition was held on May 25 and 26, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With 512 competitors participating in 45 competitions across six sectors, the event drew a record-breaking crowd of over 10,000 student visitors. The Skills Canada National Competition is an annual event that brings together skilled young individuals who have […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Nanan STEM Academy Receives Award at Moose Jaw Business Excellence Awards Gala

The Moose Jaw Business Excellence (MJBEX) Awards Gala is an annual event that recognizes outstanding businesses in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. The event is a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and excellence in the business community. This year, the 21st annual MJBEX gala was held on April 19, 2023, and it was a night to remember. […]

  • Shaun Nanan

InstructorGPT – An Evolving Paradigm of Education

Nanan STEM Academy, one of the leading coding and robotics educational platforms in the region, has integrated OpenAI’s cutting-edge API into its Learning Management System Platform. The integration will enable the academy to leverage the power of artificial intelligence to enhance the learning experience of its students. InstructorGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that assists teachers […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Miyo Wahkohtowin – Working Together – to support First Nations Youth

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, a group of distinguished guests, including Chief Cadmus Delorme, Cowessess Director of Education Sandy Pinay-Schindler, and Melissa Shepherd, Indigenous Relations Manager at K+S Potash Canada, visited students from Cowessess First Nation who were attending the First Nations Family Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Program at the Saskatchewan Science Centre. […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

Indigenous STEM Program Kicks Off with Strong Start in Regina, Saskatchewan

The Science Center in Regina, Saskatchewan was buzzing with excitement as the Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Program got underway on January 21, 2023. The program, which is a collaboration between Cowessess First Nation, K+S Potash Canada, Saskatchewan Science Center, Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority, David & Sarah Rosen, Enbridge, and Nanan STEM Academy, […]

  • Shaun Nanan
teacher teaching coding classes

Coding and Robotics Classes Launch in Regina

Last Saturday was a day of celebration for the launch of new coding and robotics classes in Regina, led by the very talented Amanda McCann, who is also the creator of our Robotics for Kids course. Parents and students alike were invigorated by the energy of the launch, which was held in the beautiful laboratory […]

  • Shaun Nanan
children having fun learning to code using scratch book

Showing Gratitude: A Thank You to Holy Trinity Catholic School Division for Supporting Coding and Robotics in Moose Jaw

Thank you to Holy Trinity Catholic School Division for providing a space at Vanier Collegiate High School for our coding and robotics classes in Moose Jaw. We are grateful for the support that your school division has provided us in fostering learning and providing access to the resources and innovative technologies available at your schools. […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Industry Tour at CAE Inc.

Students and faculty of Nanan STEM Academy embarked on an industry tour at CAE located at 15 Wing Canadian Forces Base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada on December 11, 2022. At Nanan STEM Academy, we are thrilled to offer STEM classes for kids that give them an opportunity to explore the exciting world of science, […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Workshop inspired young minds

Nanan STEM Academy hosted a coding and robotics workshop at the Saskatchewan Science Center in Regina, Saskatchewan on November 26, 2022. The exciting partnership between the Saskatchewan Science Center and Nanan Academy provides sustainable programming for the community. The workshop included activities in the following 5 stations: Edison Robot programming, Robot Mouse, Snap Circuits, Spheros, […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Why Do People Who Made Social Media Don’t Let Their Children Use It?

Technology has enabled the world to change more in the last two decades than in the previous century. We live in a digital age where almost everything is online and connected. Thanks to social media, people can keep in touch with their friends and family and keep in touch with information around the world. While […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

Saskatchewan Students working with Leading-Edge Technology

Nanan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Academy held its first annual student project showcase at Grant Hall Hotel in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on November 6, 2022. The fascinating projects demonstrated by students include custom-built robotic devices and video games as featured on Global News, CBC Radio, Moose Jaw Today, and Discover Moose Jaw. Nanan […]

  • Shaun Nanan

Free Robotics Workshop

November 26, 2022 1:30 – 3:00 pm and 3:00 – 4:30 pmLocation: Saskatchewan Science Centre, Regina, SaskatchewanLWJ Gallery via Kramer IMAX Theatre Entrance Update Nov 23, 2022 We were surprised and delighted by the demand for the workshop, we received over 55 registrations. In order to provide as many children as possible with a learning […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

Why Teaching Kids to Code is Beneficial for Their Math Skills

Learning to code has become a hot topic in the education world. Coding has been proven to be a useful skill for students to have, as it can help them in fields like computer science and digital media. That being said, many adults remain hesitant about introducing coding classes into schools. Many worry about how […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

Zone of Proximal Development in STEM Education

Teaching coding, especially in primary school, requires a lot of thought, patience and creativity. While some kids may seem to naturally grasp programming concepts much faster than others, there are different ways in which you can make things easier for them. But first things first; what exactly is the Zone of Proximal Development you say? […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

How to Teach Kids Coding at Home

Let’s face it, teaching children at home is not easy. Most of us found that out back in the spring of 2020, and I hope we will not have to repeat that. Still, home-based learning programs have many benefits. Most importantly, they allow for an opportunity to deepen the relationship between parent and child. How […]

  • Zlatan Fazlagic

STEM Workshop at the Moose Jaw public Library

On July 30, 2022, Nanan Academy hosted an exciting workshop at the Moose Jaw Public Library. There were 12 students who attended, and they participated in 3 sections: Robot programming using the mBot, game programming using Scratch, and building circuits with Snap Circuits.

  • Shaun Nanan

Skills Canada National Competition 2022

Each year, Skills Canada holds provincial and national competitions in which Secondary and Post-Secondary students can compete in their chosen field of study. This year, the Post-Secondary national competition was held in Vancouver on May 26 and 27, 2022. There were over 300 competitors from all provinces of Canada who participated in 35 skilled trade […]

  • Shaun Nanan