Innovating Education

STEAM Education Centre has designed and delivered unique and engaging school programs for more than ten thousand students and teachers since 2016. Working closely with teachers, we have developed a robust collection of K-12 hands-on workshops connected to the Ontario curriculum, which is complimented by our huge library of traditional hand-tools and emerging classroom technology for students to access. From SHSM workshops to iSTEAM with Indigenous schools, our school programs incorporate design thinking, creating, 21st century competencies, and real world applications of learning while having a lot of fun!

iSTEAM | School Workshops | STEAM Leaders | ​Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) 
Supporting Educators | Highlights & History

​School Workshops

STEAM Centre school workshops are hands-on and customized to learning goals and the Ontario curriculum. Workshops tap into a variety of creative tools, from simple – scissors and markers – to complex – design thinking, 3D printers, laser cutter, and electronics – to inspire students of all ages. 

At this time, we're offering virtual school workshops, featuring topics such as coding, prototyping, robotics, 3D printing, and art. Students learn character-building skills that empower them to solve authentic problems, develop perseverance, engage in their community and develop a global perspective.

​When we can return to welcoming small groups into the STEAM Centre, students will access a powerful makerspace with 3D printers, a laser cutter, CNC, woodworking tools, graphic design tablets, audio and video production tools, and more!

Contact the STEAM education team to start planning your group’s virtual field trip!

STEAM Leaders

STEAM Leaders is an advanced student placement and co-op program for forward-thinking people who will evolve into our next generation of workforce, teachers, leaders and problem solvers. With roughly 30 student placement spots available each year, the program offers students open access to southwestern Ontario's most advanced and dynamic collection of educational tools. 

Through in-person or virtual participation, STEAM Leaders students practice using a variety of maker tools including traditional hand tools and saws, to professional design software to laser cut prototypes. Students are mentored by the STEAM education team and relevant subject experts from the community, while they develop leadership skills through involvement in school or community projects. The entire placement term is flexible to suit each student, and will help students develop key skills and competencies to narrow the gap between their existing knowledge and in-demand vocational knowledge.

Contact us to express your interest in the Leaders program and to learn about current opportunities.

This program began with generous support from the County of Elgin.

Supporting Educators

Traditional classroom teaching and learning is increasingly challenged as more students require flexible learning arrangements. We work closely with teachers to create dynamic student or teacher oriented workshops aligned with the Ontario curriculum to meet specific learning objectives, including training with makerspace tools and incorporating techniques into classroom or virtual activities.

New in 2021, Teachers can now borrow select classroom maker technologies, including portable 3D printers, and ozobots.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support you and your classroom.

​Highlights & History

Since 2016, we've connected with more than 10,000 students through school workshops. We've also worked on some truly transformational educational projects, including STEAM School and STEAM Mission 150​!

​STEAM School

During the 2017-2018 fall semester, STEAM Education Centre partnered with Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to launch STEAM School, a groundbreaking venture for sixty-five grade ten students and four teachers, where focus was on developing students’ ability to think critically, creatively and productively about a problem while introducing them to new tech and tools. STEAM School was designed to operate through the lens of making life better for others or human-centred design. Students enrolled in STEAM School from three St. Thomas TVDSB schools, each taking four credits, as usual: English, Science, Integrated Arts and Civics and Careers. Additionally, students applied human-centered design through a series of special projects working with local businesses.

STEAM Mission 150

In recognition of Canada's 150th anniversary, we created a one-day event for teams of students to travel across Elgin County, diving deep into fun challenges that required creativity and collaboration while tapping into science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) skills. Teams were shuttled between five different Mission sites where they were presented with dynamic challenges, from purifying pond water into drinking water and constructing a functional 12 foot tall trebuchet from sight only, to escaping a classroom with 6 different types of locks! STEAM Mission 150 turned St. Thomas and Elgin County into a giant learning playground with a new adventure around every corner!

The STEAM Centre has provided me inspiration, encouragement and confidence, bridging the technology gap between my education and my interests. STEAM Centre provided me opportunities that simply weren't available at my high school. Marks are vitally important, but many universities are looking for more.

- Justin (Engineering, McMaster University)