#STEM Inspire Program
“Inspiring Young Minds”
Developing Innovations STEM Inspire Program was developed in order to help inspire young students to engage and hopefully become passionate about science, technology, engineering and math. These fun and interesting programs include:
STEM Outreach Educational Program
Developing Innovations will be taking a number of teams of highly enthusiastic S.T.E.M. Educational Ambassadors out into the community in an effort to promote S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) They will be visiting schools, camps, clubs, groups and events in an effort to promote, teach and engage young students in interesting and fun S.T.E.M. related topics.
Some of the topics that will be covered include:
Series #1 “The Wonderful World of Insects”
Series #2 “Prehistoric Fossils”
Series #3 ” Space”
STEM Attractions & Events Learning Program
Developing Innovations will be taking small groups of young students out to exciting S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related attractions, events and business, in order to promote and create interest in the wonderful world of S.T.E.M.
Some of the attractions & events they will be visiting:
Brooks Farms:
Brooks Farms started in the mid 1800′s when Edward Brooks, a bright-eyed London bobbie decided to bring his family from England to Canada. After spending a few years closer to the town of Uxbridge. Edward moved the family a little further west towards Mount Albert, and set up home base at our current location.
Brooks Farms runs regular school tours during the weekdays, throughout the spring (May & June) & fall (September & October) seasons. They also offer Sugar Bush tours from Mid-April-March, along with programs for specials needs and seniors. All their teachings comply with Ontario’s educational curriculum for Science & Technology as well as health and physical activity. Brooks Farms delves into the exploration of the growing cycle which provides an opportunity for children to learn about growing fruits, grains, and vegetables on the farm. The farmer will explain the importance of each season (Spring/Planting, Summer/Growing, Fall/Harvest, Winter/Rest).
Children will learn about grain seeds and their everyday uses. Farm animals and their habits will be explored with a walking tour of the animal pens. Lastly a wagon/train ride gives visitors a look at the whole farm operation, which includes an apple orchard, various fruit, vegetable and grain fields, the sugar bush and the opportunity to pick their own fruit or vegetables. Older children will explore a comparison of rural and urban life based on the unique perspective of farmers and farm life in the 21st century. As well, they discuss the vast technology changes in farming over the years and investigate environmental issues such as climate change and its immense impact on growing food and healthy living.
David Dunlop Observatory (DDO):The David Dunlap Observatory is a large astronomical observatory that is managed by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Toronto Centre. Its primary instrument is a 74-inch (1.88 m) reflector telescope, at one time the second largest telescope in the world, and still the largest in Canada. Several other telescopes are also located at the site, which formerly included a small radio telescope as well.
FFL Regional Robotic Championships:
The FIRST LEGO League (also known by the acronym FLL) is an international competition organized by FIRST for elementary and middle school students (ages 9–14 in the USA and Canada, 9–16 elsewhere). In September each year, a new challenge is announced that focuses on a different real-world topic related to the sciences. Each challenge within the competition then revolves around that theme. The robotics part of the competition revolves around designing and programming Lego Mindstorms robots to complete tasks. The students work out solutions to the various problems they are given and then meet for regional tournaments to share their knowledge, compare ideas, and display their robots.
FIRST Lego League is a partnership between FIRST and the Lego Group. It also has a scaled-down robotics program for children ages 6–9 called Junior FIRST Lego League.
Teams in different parts of the world have different times allotted to complete the construction of the robot, due to the varying date of qualifying tournaments. They go on to compete in FLL tournaments, similar to the FIRST Robotics Competition regionals. In the 2006–07 season, nearly 90,000 students on 8,846 teams from around the world competed. Each team has to compete in a local/regional qualifying tournament before advancing to the state/provincial tournaments.
Kortright Centre:
The Kortright Centre for Conservation is Ontario’s premier environmental and renewable energy education and demonstration centre. Situated 10 minutes north of Toronto, on 325 hectares of pristine woodlands, Kortright Centre combines a natural oasis with some of the most leading edge sustainable education programs and events in Canada. The centre hosts 135,000 visitors annually and offers over 50 environmental education programs for schools and 30 sustainable technology workshops for the public, trades and professionals.
Since 1982, the Kortright Centre has been a centre of excellence in the field of sustainable technology. The sustainable technology education programs are anchored around The Power Trip Trail, a 1.6 kilometre trail which links a variety of demonstrations on renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste water treatment and sustainable building design.
The Kortright Centre works with individuals and communities to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices by providing educational programs, demonstrations and partnerships:
- to instill an awareness and appreciation of the natural world;
- to develop an understanding of the relationships between healthy ecological systems and our lifestyles;
- to demonstrate practical, relevant and leading edge sustainable technologies and practices;
- to motivate and support individuals, organizations, government and business to adopt sustainable options and actions; and
- to develop leaders, champions, projects and programs in the community that accelerates the transformation of the Toronto region into the most sustainable community in the world.
Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre’s mission is to delight, inform and challenge visitors through engaging and thought-provoking experiences in science and technology. Since 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 48 million visitors, with an interactive approach that was the model for Science Centres around the world. It is the public centre for innovative thinking and provocative dialogue in science and technology, aiming to inspire a lifelong journey of curiosity, discovery and action to create a better future for the planet.
Ripley’s Aquarium:
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a 135,000 square-feet incredible family attraction with more than 1.5 million gallons of water with marine and freshwater habitats from around the world.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is an unforgettable learning destination for children, youth and adults. Their mission is to provide a top quality, world class aquatic life facility that will foster environmental education, conservation, and research, while simultaneously providing entertainment for visitors of all ages.
They provides students and guests of all ages with a wide selection of quality environmental education programs that will enhance their visit experience. Their suite of school programs offers a range of interactive and exciting options that are designed to meet Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum standards and provide participants with a deeper understanding of the aquatic world and the importance of environmental protection and conservation.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM):
The ROM is a museum of world culture and natural history based in Toronto, Canada. It is one of the largest museums in North America, with more than six million items and forty galleries, the museum’s diverse collections of world culture and natural history are part of the reason for its international reputation. The museum contains notable collections of dinosaurs, minerals and meteorites. It also houses the world’s largest collection of fossils from the Burgess Shale with more than 150,000 specimens.
Toronto Zoo:
The Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada, encompassing 287 hectares (710 acres), located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is divided into seven zoogeographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Australasia, Eurasia, and the Canadian Domain. Some animals are displayed indoors in tropical pavilions and outdoors in what would be their naturalistic environments, with viewing at many levels. It also has areas such as the Kids Zoo, Waterside Theatre, and Splash Island. The zoo has one of the most taxonomically diverse collection of animals on display of any zoo, is currently home to over 5,000 animals (including invertebrates and fish) representing over 450 species.
York Regional Forest Walks & Events:
York Region Forestry runs a number of great outdoor events throughout the year, where experts in the field pass on their immense knowledge of the forest and its inhabitants. Events include: A Winter Night Owl Prowl; Showshoe Stroll; Animal Tracking; Spring Forest Festival; Migratory Bird Day; Forest Photography Walk; Forest Herbs and Flowers Walk; Forest Bug and Butterfly Hunt; Fall Forest Festival; Forest Fungi Walk; A Look Inside A Forester’s Toolbox
STEM Workshops and Camps Program
Developing Innovations S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Workshops and Camps Program involves working with small groups of young students in a hands-on workshop, camp setting, in order to help peak their enthusiasm and interest in the fields of S.T.E.M. Some of these workshops and camps will be offered in coordination with some of Developing Innovations partners.
Some of the workshops and camps offered include:
The Wonderful World of Robots
The Wonderful World of Insects
The Wonderful World of Prehistoric Fossils
Intro to CAD Drawing (SolidWorks)
Science Magic
STEM Mentorship Program
Developing Innovations S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Mentorship Program involves academic accomplished students helping other students by tutoring and inspiring them in S.T.E.M. related subjects.
Some of the subjects will include:
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Math
Science Fair Projects (Specific Mentorship Guidelines need to be followed – see CWSF)
Lego Robotics
STEM “Be Kind To The Environment” Program
Developing Innovations S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) “Be Kind To The Environment” Program involves:
Education
Educating the general public about the hazards of not being conscience of our surrounding environment and what we can do as individuals to help improve our environment. Communicating the message will involve making pubic speeches, presentations and using social media.
Hands-On Outreach
Tree planting will be one of the activities involved in this Hands-On Outreach Program, along with collecting old electronics for recycling.