Pinnguaq Studio is a social enterprise offering best-in-class design and development services to government, educators, social change organizations and other partners. Our difference is rooted in a co-design approach that ensures our work is user-relevant and effective, and a social impact model that ensures that we build communities, knowledge and skills, while we build your solution.
Pinnguaq Studio is part of the Pinnguaq Association, a non-profit organization focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education for all ages. The Association has Makerspaces in Iqaluit, The Kawartha Lakes, Curve Lake and Cambridge Bay that act as knowledge hubs in these communities, and partners with a wide-variety of organizations to deliver STEAM opportunities and digital literacy development in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
When communities create technology, technology creates community.
Pinnguaq Studio employs an extensive team of development and design professionals with best-in-class experience and expertise, in addition to a roster of freelance specialists. Project teams are agile, and assembled based on required experience and expertise in softwares including (but not limited to) development engines such as Unity, Unreal, X-Code, WordPress and Ionic, as well as evaluation experts using analytics platforms and methodologies.
For technology to be effective and embraced, it has to be user relevant, including design, interface, technology selection, content and more. Pinnguaq Studio employs a comprehensive co-design process, founded in extensive community consultation, to ensure that the voice of the user is “front and center”, and that everything we create is rooted in in-depth, local understanding.
We build the technology, but we also build local capacity and digital literacy within our clients’ communities. Every project is an opportunity to give local youth exposure to real-world design and development. Pinnguaq Studio employs dozens of interns and junior professionals from these communities and others we serve across Canada, offering education leave, competitive salaries and mentorship opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible.
Our bottom line is impact, not income. As a social enterprise, 100% of revenue generated by Pinnguaq Studio is reinvested in the Pinnguaq Association, which partners with rural, remote and Indigenous communities to co-create STEAM education and digital literacy programs. Your investment in technology today is an investment in your community’s future.
Invest in community-relevant technology, while investing in the communities you serve – Contact Pinnguaq Studio today.
Primary - MiddleLearn about the pioneers of science and the characteristics that allowed them to thrive! Jane Goodall: Perseverance This episode takes a look at Jane Goodall and how perseverance helped her with her research into chimpanzee behavior, and how we can persevere to reach our goals just like her. Alexander Fleming: Attentiveness This episode takes a … Continued
Primary - MiddleLet’s think like a scientist and find the answers to the questions that make us wonder! The Science Behind podcast series explores the ways in which science is connected to humans and the world around us in an interactive format that follows the scientific method. (The scientific method is the process of testing and experimenting … Continued
January 31, 2023What is a Lifecycle Superstar? Pinnguaq’s work is based on our Lifecycle model, and designed to engage learners at multiple stages in their personal growth and success.
November 28, 2022On Friday November 25th, Pinnguaq was pleased to host the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, at our Lindsay Makerspace, and we were equally pleased to accept an investment of over $1 million, through the Jobs and Growth Fund. This funding will be used to adapt our digital … Continued
November 1, 2022Pinnguaq invites journalists, subject matter experts, knowledge keepers, and artists to submit pitches for our Spring 2023 Root & STEM magazine issue, focusing on Literacy + STEAM. We are pleased to collaborate with the Nunavut Literacy Council on this issue that explores how Literacy and STEAM intersect through diverse stories, lesson plans, and activities.
This issue of Root & STEM focuses on ocean conservation and the role communities play in successful and significant ocean conservation practices. In each article, we see examples of the ways in which communities and everyday citizens play a critical role in ocean conservation advocacy, data collection, and marine mapping.
The Youth Mentor position is a part time role integrating technology learning and connections with Elders in the community. This role is part of The Connected Elders & Youth Mentor program, which is a unique program delivered in partnership with Help Age Canada and Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre focused on assisting Elders with accessing everything the internet has to offer.
Primary - MiddleAn activity that asks readers to read an ocean and marine life infographic and look closely at the pictures to then see if they can correctly identify and name the animals and devices.
Primary - SecondaryA young turtle and his Grampa take readers on a sea adventure to learn how ocean plastic is hurting sea animals, but also showcases how humans are trying to reduce plastic use and clean up the ocean in various ways.
Grade 3 - Grade 6In this lesson, students will learn about nattiit (ringed seals) from both biology and an Inuit perspective.
Grade 3 - Grade 6In this lesson, students will expand on their learning from lesson one (Introduction to Nattiit, Ringed Seal) and build their understanding for how the nattiit are being impacted by climate change and human activity.
October 20, 2022Patrick Wells spoke with Root & STEM about his perspective on how to implement ocean conservation in the classroom and why inclusivity is an inherent part of education.
Middle - Grade 8In this lesson, students continue learning how to use the micro:bit in a hands-on lesson in which they develop and test a water quality monitoring system.
Secondary - Grade 9In this lesson, students learn about how humanity has taken inspiration from nature when considering solutions to complex problems.
Engage directly with children and youth learners, helping them understand new concepts, explore possibilities within S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), and develop new digital skills.