**STEM from Scratch: March Opportunities for Youth in STEM**
STEM from Scratch regularly showcases monthly chances for young people to participate in STEM initiatives. Here’s a summary of March’s offerings:
### [McMaster University I-STEP: Black Youth IMHOTEP STEM Enrichment Program](https://linktr.ee/macistep_?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYg2aBAvOO7R9xbz221O5bvX4Vn_4CCVueGPx3I9cJCpje6zG9vL54CFL8_aem_ss-qVXKw-fTp_PCGpfPCBw)
Tailored for Black high school students in Hamilton and Halton, this program provides practical STEM activities and leadership training, operating during winter after school with a summer campus experience.
– **Audience:** Black high school students (Hamilton and Halton)
– **Highlights:** Practical STEM, leadership training
– **Social Media:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/macistep_/)
### [BEST STEM Program](https://www.beststem.ca/)
Targeted at younger students from Black, Indigenous, and LatinX backgrounds, this program features after-school activities to steer them towards STEM education and career paths, based at McMaster University and other Canadian sites.
– **Audience:** Black, Indigenous, and LatinX students (Grades 5-8)
– **Highlights:** After-school activities, STEM career guidance
– **Note:** Pre-registration necessary
### [STEAM Program (Halton Catholic District School Board)](https://www.hcdsb.org/learning-resources/steam-program/)
A four-year project for students in Catholic high schools in Halton, this program is free, promoting leadership and job readiness.
– **Audience:** High school students in Catholic institutions
– **Highlights:** Cost-free, long-term commitment
– **Locations:** St. Ignatius of Loyola, Notre Dame, St. Francis Xavier
### [Autism Centre for Kids: STEM Programs](https://autismcenterforkids.com/engaging-stem-programs-at-oakville-halton/)
Providing programs for children with autism, these sessions focus on experiential learning and problem-solving with sensory-friendly materials.
– **Programs Include:**
– **Junior Innovators (Ages 4-6):** Introductory science
– **Builders Challenge (Ages 6-10):** Problem-solving tasks
– **Tech Explorers (Ages 9-12):** Advanced engineering concepts
– **RoboGenius (Ages 12-15):** Robotics education
– **Cost:** Fees apply
– **Contact:** [Autism Centre for Kids](https://autismcenterforkids.com/contact-us/)
### [STEAM Design Program: University of Toronto](https://temertymedicine.utoronto.ca/steam-design-program)
Intended for Grades 10-11 students from underrepresented communities, this program awards a course credit and a stipend, with applications starting in March.
– **Audience:** Racialized students encountering socio-economic disadvantages
– **Highlights:** University credit, $1,600 stipend
– **Priority:** Students from under-resourced schools
### [The STEAM Project](https://www.thesteamproject.ca/)
Focusing on Grades K-8, this program offers camps and courses in design, electronics, and robotics emphasizing individualized learning.
– **Audience:** Students in Grades K-8
– **Highlights:** 1:4 teacher-student ratio, experiential learning
– **Locations:** Richmond Hill, Markham
### [Toronto STEM School](https://www.torontostemschool.com/)
A private high school centered on STEM, providing full and part-time options, AP courses, and coding classes for younger learners, with assistance for international students.
– **Audience:** Students in Grades 6-12
– **Highlights:** AP courses, support for international students
– **Location:** Eglinton, Toronto
These initiatives present varied educational and career pathways, fostering the next generation of leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.