**STEM from Scratch: Opportunities for Youth Engagement in March**
STEM from Scratch focuses on advancing STEM-related opportunities for young individuals, equipping them for success in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Below are significant programs available this March:
### McMaster University I-STEP: Black Youth IMHOTEP STEM Enrichment Initiative
The IMHOTEP initiative targets Black high school students from Hamilton and Halton, providing engaging STEM experiences and fostering leadership skills. The program features an after-school club during winter and a week-long residency at McMaster University in July.
– **Target Audience:** Black high school learners from Hamilton and Halton
– **Program Highlights:** Engaging STEM experiences, leadership growth
– **Social Media:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/macistep_/)
### BEST STEM Initiative
A subdivision of I-STEP, BEST STEM aids younger students (Grades 5-8) from Black, Indigenous, and LatinX communities. It provides after-school programs to enhance STEM learning and career opportunities, based at McMaster University and various Canadian locations.
– **Target Audience:** Black, Indigenous, and LatinX pupils in Grades 5-8
– **Program Highlights:** After-school activities, STEM career guidance
– **Pre-Registration:** Necessary for university selection
### STEAM Program (Halton Catholic District School Board)
This complimentary, innovative four-year program aims at high school students in Catholic schools within Halton, empowering them to take charge of their educational journeys.
– **Target Audience:** High school learners in Catholic institutions
– **Program Highlights:** No cost, long-term participation
– **Offered At:** St. Ignatius of Loyola, Notre Dame, St. Francis Xavier
### Autism Centre for Kids: STEM Initiatives
Customized STEM activities for children with autism, emphasizing hands-on learning, problem-solving, and engineering concepts.
– **Programs Offered:**
– **Junior Innovators (Ages 4-6):** Materials that are sensory-friendly
– **Builders Challenge (Ages 6-10):** Skills in problem-solving
– **Tech Explorers (Ages 9-12):** Robotics
– **RoboGenius (Ages 12-15):** Software engineering
– **Payment Required:** Yes
– **Contact:** [Autism Centre for Kids](https://autismcenterforkids.com/contact-us/)
### STEAM Design Program: University of Toronto
Supports Grade 10-11 students from underrepresented racial backgrounds in health sciences, offering a credit course along with a financial stipend.
– **Target Audience:** Racialized students encountering socio-economic obstacles
– **Program Highlights:**
– Grade 12 Science Credit (SNC4M1)
– $1,600 completion stipend
– **Priority Consideration:** Schools and communities that are underserved
– **Application Period:** Opens March 16, 2025
### The STEAM Project
Delivers STEM education for Grades K-8, featuring summer camps and weekend courses that focus on design and technology skills.
– **Target Audience:** Learners in Grades K-8
– **Program Highlights:** 1:4 teacher-student ratio, various locations
– **Locations:** Richmond Hill and Markham
### Toronto STEM School
A private high school dedicated to STEM, offering full-time, part-time, and AP programs, alongside tutoring and services for international students.
– **Target Audience:** Grades 6-12 (mainly 9-12)
– **Program Highlights:** AP courses, accommodations for international students
– **Location:** Eglinton Region, Toronto
These initiatives play a crucial role in fostering future innovators in STEM fields, offering educational paths tailored to the diverse needs and backgrounds of students.