A pair of young siblings in Orillia are turning heads with a new hands-on environmental education program designed entirely by kids, for kids
NEWS RELEASE
RAINBOW INITIATIVE ORILLIA
************************
A new youth-led initiative is putting a fun, hands-on spin on environmental education for kids in Orillia. STEAMifying Sustainability is a weekly drop-in program designed by kids, for kids, using the power of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) to teach children aged five to nine about sustainability.
The program is part of Rainbow Initiative Orillia, a grassroots effort to empower youth to lead change in their own communities. There are currently five “ideas” operating under the umbrella of the Rainbow Initiative. Each was awarded seed funding in June 2024 to implement their projects with support from adult mentors and the wider community. STEAMifying Sustainability is the latest project to launch, following the Bridging Pages Book Club and Raccoon Skate Club.
Two local siblings, Fatima and Omar Khattak, came up with the idea because of their shared concern that too few fun and accessible resources existed to help young children understand climate change and environmental responsibility.
“There just weren’t enough fun, simple ways for young kids to learn about sustainability,” said older sibling Fatima, aged 14. “We wanted to change that — with something affordable, creative and built from a kid’s point of view.”
What sets STEAMifying Sustainability apart is its kid-led design. Each session runs for 45 minutes and all the activities are engaging and age-appropriate, as well as educational, because they were imagined and developed entirely by Fatima and Omar.
“Kids learn best when they’re having fun,” explained younger sibling Omar, aged eight. “And who knows what makes learning fun better than other kids?”
Through hands-on experiments, creative projects and real-world problem-solving, the program introduces key sustainability concepts in a way that sparks curiosity and builds practical skills.
The first session was a success, and the organizers are now seeking community support to keep the momentum going. They’re looking for families to sign up, spread the word and contribute small donations to help expand the program for future seasons.
The initiative is generously supported by the Kiwanis Club of Orillia, whose commitment to empowering young leaders has helped bring the project to life.
“We’re excited to see younger kids get curious about the environment,” said Fatima and Omar. “And we hope to inspire others to take action too.”
Session 2 takes place Friday, Aug. 1 from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. at the Orillia Public Library, and additional sessions are planned throughout the summer. To learn more or get involved, contact [email protected].
************************