Students celebrate learning during Data Dunkers at Humber
Students, educators and community partners - and NBA star Pascal Siakam - gathered at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus for the Data Dunkers year-end celebration, bringing basketball and data science together.
Smiles and cheers fill the space as NBA champion and current Indiana Pacer Pascal Siakam makes his arrival at the Data Dunkers celebration at Humber Polytechnic. Students gathered to greet him, capturing the excitement of the event.HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De Castro
Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus welcomed students, educators, community partners and former Toronto Raptor and current Indiana Pacer Pascal Siakam for the Data Dunkers year-end celebration Saturday, bringing together basketball, technology, and learning.
The program, supported by Siakam’s PS43 Foundation in partnership with Dell Technologies, introduces students in Grades 5 to 12 to data science concepts by connecting analytics and coding with the game of basketball.
Students from schools within the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board gathered at Humber to present projects developed through months of hands-on learning. Throughout the event, participants shared how they analyzed data, explored coding, and applied problem-solving skills to real-world ideas, highlighting how sport can become a gateway to understanding technology and future career pathways.
The celebration marked a return to Humber following last year’s successful event.
A student collects event giveaways during the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus. The event brought together students from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to showcase projects developed through the Data Dunkers program, an initiative supported by Pascal Siakam’s PS43 Foundation and Dell Technologies that introduces youth to data science and coding through basketball-based learning activities. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroTeachers and mentors gather between activities during the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber Polytechnic. The event brought together students and educators from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to celebrate learning through sport and technology, highlighting the role teachers play in supporting students as they explore data science concepts in creative and practical ways. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroA moment of appreciation between Scott Briggs, Vice-President, Digital Innovation & CIO at Humber Polytechnic, and Katina Papulkas, Senior Education Strategist at Dell Technologies, reflects the partnerships behind the Data Dunkers celebration, which returned to Humber following last year’s successful event. The program continues to bring together education and industry partners to create meaningful learning experiences for students. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroVanessa Siakam, Manager of Programs for the PS43 Foundation and sister of Pascal Siakam, engages with students during the Data Dunkers celebration at Humber Polytechnic. The event gave students the opportunity to share their experiences and projects. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroStudents and educators fill the seating area during the Data Dunkers celebration at Humber Polytechnic, waiting for the arrival of NBA champion and former Toronto Raptor Pascal Siakam. The excitement in the room reflected the energy surrounding the program, which encourages students to explore data literacy and technology through basketball-based learning experiences. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroPam Pelletier, Country President of Dell Technologies Canada, speaks to attendees during the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus, thanking students, partners, and Humber for their role in making the event possible. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroSmiles and cheers fill the space as NBA champion and current Indiana Pacer Pascal Siakam makes his arrival at the Data Dunkers celebration at Humber Polytechnic. Students gathered to greet him, capturing the excitement of the event. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroPascal Siakam laughs alongside students during the Data Dunkers celebration at Humber Polytechnic, sharing a light moment as he was introduced to participants. The interaction reflected the welcoming and energetic atmosphere of the event, where students had the opportunity to connect with a professional athlete while showcasing their work and experiences through the program. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroTanya Goncalves, Director of I.T. Client Services at Humber Polytechnic, receives a signed jersey from NBA champion and former Toronto Raptor Pascal Siakam during the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber’s North Campus. The presentation served as a gesture of appreciation for Humber’s continued support in hosting the event, which brings together education and industry partners to create meaningful learning experiences for students. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroStudent presenter Israel Akintabe demonstrates his group’s prototype device during the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus. The project, designed to help players improve shooting form using coding and machine learning concepts, was developed as part of the program’s hands-on approach to connecting basketball with data science. For Akintabe, presenting in front of peers, educators, and NBA champion Pascal Siakam made the experience especially meaningful. “I felt like that was one of my dreams come true,” he said. “Getting to show something I worked very hard on in front of someone as famous as him, I felt like that was one of the bucket list items checked off.”. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroPascal Siakam participates in a student panel during the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus. Selected students took turns asking questions about his basketball journey, challenges he faced throughout his career, and the importance of education beyond sport. The session created a relaxed and engaging atmosphere, giving students the opportunity to interact directly with Siakam while reinforcing the program’s message that learning, perseverance, and curiosity can open doors both on and off the court. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De Castro
Pascal Siakam was asked by a student how important education and having a backup plan are for athletes pursuing a career in sports. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De Castro
Pascal Siakam poses with students following their presentation at the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus. As a gesture of appreciation, students asked Siakam to sign a personalized jersey representing their school, marking a memorable moment for participants who had spent months developing projects through the program. The interaction reflected the excitement and pride shared by students as they celebrated their work and the opportunity to connect with a professional athlete who continues to support youth education through the PS43 Foundation. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De CastroPascal Siakam sits alongside students during a group photo at the conclusion of the Data Dunkers year-end celebration at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus. The moment brought together students, educators, and partners who spent months working through the program, ending the evening with smiles and a shared sense of accomplishment. HumberETC/Luis Miguel S. De Castro
