Logan Oldstar Arcilla (he/him)

About me

I was born/grew up in: I was born in Edmonton, Alberta but I grew up in Calgary, Alberta.

I now live in: Edmonton, Alberta

I completed my training/education at:  My volunteering transformed into coaching FIRST robotics teams and working with youth. This caught the attention of my mentor and good friend Wendy Hutchins which led to us forming IndigeSTEAM with Rob Cardinal, Deanna Burgart, and Jennifer Leason.

What I do at work

My activities usually change from day to day. My days mostly consist of lots of planning and organizing for our Robot Powwow event. I also spend time planning and connecting with other nations to bring our programs into their schools. I deal with other small organization stuff day to day. For the most part I work with others on how and who we are going to reach out to. My background does help me from time to time with my decision making and planning.

My career path is

This career path wasn't my original one when I was in high school. I didn't finish school on time due to missing so much of my grade 12 year due to injuries. I went back for an extra year and joined my local robotics competition (FRC) team. After I finished School, I volunteered for the FIRST Robotics Society. They were the group that hosted the FRC competition. I volunteered with them and coached my local team for a few years. This caught the attention of Wendy Hutchins and led to us forming IndigeSTEAM. A few years later IndigeSTEAM secured funding to pay our small staff. This is how I got my big break. I was able to turn my volunteer work into my full-time career.

One of my greatest challenges in this career was being selected to represent Team Canada 2019 at the FIRST Global Competition. At the time I was working on a contract with IndigeSTEAM. When I was asked to coach this team, I looked at the members of past teams. There was no indigenous representation. This led me to try to change this. After 4 months of hard work and fundraising by parents, other coaches, and our ground team Reem Ghaleb and Sheila Norris, we went to Dubai. The team placed 80 of 191 with 80% indigenous representation! Mission accomplished.

I am motivated by

I love what I do. Working with youth to help them figure out subjects in the STEM/STEAM fields is so rewarding. The "Lightbulb moment" is one of the best feelings in the world. I come from 2 generations of teachers. My mother has been teaching for 30 years, and my grandpa was a teacher for 34 years and an Edmonton Catholic School Board Trustee for years after. So teaching is right up there for me!

How I affect peoples’ lives

Guiding students to obtain STEM/STEAM related goals is very fulfilling. Students need more opportunities in their schools and communities. I like to think my work makes an impact on my students. From time to time, they do tell me about the things they are doing and accomplishing in their lives.

Outside of work I

Fun activities for me mostly consist of spending time with my amazing wife Kaitlin and our 2 little ones. I like playing video games, making 3D Printed Nerf blasters and playing nerf (yes they hit like paintball rounds). I also enjoy working on partnerships with FIRST people, traveling with my family, and flying drones. I still volunteer with multiple FIRST groups. I'm a Global Advisor for FIRST Global team Belize. I'm also a coach for the Team Canada 2023 Team. If I’m not doing all of that that I’m usually in the gym training as powerlifting takes up my extra time

My advice to others

If you have a dream or goal that seems unattainable, keep going. The world does wonders when you put your mind to it. School is a great foundation when taking your first steps into your story. Also just try your best.

I am Indigenous

My roots are from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Northwest of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I was born Logan Oldstar Kootenay, which later changed to Logan Michael Arcilla and then changed to Logan Oldstar Arcilla.