Futures in Focus: Bringing Pediatric Vision Screening & STEAM Programming to Fort McKay First Nation

The event hosted by Futures in Focus took place at Elsie Fabian School in Fort McKay First Nation, Alberta. Over two days, our team, alongside two University of Calgary Ophthalmology residents and a Pediatric Orthoptist, screened 74 students and identified a high burden of previously undetected vision concerns. In total, 19 students required pediatric ophthalmology referrals and 25 required optometry referrals. Several findings raised concern for conditions where early detection is critical, such as suspected amblyopia, strabismus/motility issues, and other clinically significant abnormalities that can affect learning, confidence, and long-term visual outcomes if missed.

Futures in Focus was founded by University of Calgary medical students: Kareem Sadek Orbis Future Vision Leaders Director of Program Development & Coordination, and Joshua Seto.

What made this event different was not only the screening itself, but the structure behind it. We designed the initiative with clear referral pathways, coordinated by the Fort McKay First Nation Wellness and Health Centre, so that screening results are translated into actionable next steps, rather than taking a “screen-and-leave” approach. Our goal was to build a model that is clinically meaningful, respectful of community priorities, and operationally feasible for repeat implementation.

This community guided work was possible through Kareem’s relationship and work with the Fort McKay community over the past few years.  We collaborated closely with local health and education leaders to align the screening days with school priorities, ensure cultural safety, and coordinate follow-up plans. That partnership also shaped how we approached youth engagement: we didn’t want this to feel like a one-time health visit. We wanted it to be energizing, strengths-based, and forward-facing.

Alongside the screening, we delivered age-appropriate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) workshops designed to foster early interest in science, health, and medical careers. For students, this meant hands-on learning and opportunities to connect activities and experiments to real-world problem-solving. For us, it reinforced a core belief: improving health outcomes is not only about detecting disease, but also about investing in awareness, confidence, and opportunities for the next generation.

The event generated strong momentum. The school expressed interest in hosting us again, providing the initiative with testimonies of support, and offering to connect us with other Indigenous schools and communities. This response matters because it signals trust, and because sustainable access to pediatric eye care in remote settings will always depend on relationships and local leadership,

From an eye-health perspective, the lesson was straightforward: school-based pediatric vision screening in remote communities can be high-yield. When paired with a clear referral pathway and strong community partnership, it becomes a practical, scalable approach to reducing preventable vision impairment and ensuring children are not left behind due to barriers to care.

Now, Futures in Focus is continuing to build on this foundation by expanding partnerships, refining the screening and follow-up process, and pursuing additional support to bring pediatric vision screening to more communities where access remains limited.