YukonU Research Stories

YukonU is distributing 500 STEM kits to children across the Yukon through the organization, Let’s Talk Science. These fun and engaging kits don’t require technology or internet access and are meant to promote “off-line learning” to kids who don’t have access. They are intended for children in grades 4 to 6 and thanks to David Silas they will be sent out this month. David is our First Nations Engagement Advisor with the YukonU Research Centre. 

Wolves use seismic lines for hunting and ease of travel according to YukonU’s Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow and the team of researchers who recently co-authored a paper published in Nature.  

These researchers recommend land restoration in caribou ranges to reduce wolf use of these industrial disturbances for enhanced movement and hunting prey. 

Archaeology usually conjures up images of spear and arrow heads, but feminist archaeology works towards making women and children more visible. This is the approach that former YukonU student, Jordan Handley took for her Masters thesis that was recently completed through the University of British Columbia. 

Ben is patiently waiting to analyze nitrate in our SmartChem170. Nitrate is a contaminant from blasting residue in the mining industry. YukonU’s Northern Mine Remediation program is exploring how to remove nitrogen from mine water.  

YukonU has funding to support staff, faculty, and student research. The Scholarly Activity Grants (SAG) have supported 20 researchers so far in 2019/2020.  

Lucile Fressigne is a recent SAG recipient studying Yukon bear populations. She is leading Project "OURS", a citizen-science based project that engages volunteers across Yukon to collect and sample bear scat as genetic samples in specific areas in Yukon. 

YukonU has a satellite project with the Canadian Space Agency! The primary mission is to train students in space science and engineering while creating a pool of highly qualified personnel in Canada’s north. We welcome students of any background and education to learn with us while building our cubeSat.