**STEM Opportunities from Scratch: January Edition**
**1. [I-STEM Initiative](https://www.hdsb.ca/learning-and-resources/Pages/Secondary%20Education%20and%20Pathways/I-STEM.aspx)**
– Offered at Aldershot High School (Burlington), T.A. Blakelock High School (Oakville), and Elsie MacGill Secondary School (Milton).
– A four-year program spanning Grades 9-12; application required in Grade 8 (random selection process).
– Emphasizes engineering, design, and leadership capabilities.
– Encourages innovative and critical thinking with a worldwide viewpoint.
– Annual fee: $200.
– Curriculum centered on STEM, featuring classes like I-STEM Math and Integrated Project-Based Learning.
**2. Halton Hills Public Library**
– Offers a variety of STEM and Arts initiatives for youth, including animation and robotics/programming.
– Each program runs for 8 weeks and is conducted four times annually.
– Community public libraries also provide comparable STEM programming for kids.
**3. Chamelea Science Centre**
– Designed for children aged 3-12 years in Toronto; accessible from Vaughan/Markham.
– Sessions last 8 weeks, each lasting 1 hour, with flexible timing. Prices range between $100 and $300.
– Hosts STEM workshops facilitated by skilled instructors, featuring practical learning where students can take home their projects.
**4. [Carnegie Mellon’s Open Learning Initiative](https://oli.cmu.edu/independent-learner-courses)**
– Aimed at high school students.
– Course fees vary from $10 to $80; the majority are priced at $25 per student.
– Provides courses in areas such as Computer Science and Programming, Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Logic.
– Features interactive tasks and multimedia materials.
– Self-paced study; application deadlines differ by course.
– Conducted online.
**5. [Girls Who Code](https://girlswhocode.com/programs)**
– Located in the USA, accepting international applicants. Programs are held virtually.
– **Clubs Initiative**
– Virtual for Grades 3-12, segmented into grades 3-5 and 6-12.
– Suitable for skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced.
– No cost; requires a commitment of 1-2 hours weekly (after school/weekends during academic terms).
– **Summer Programs**
– For Grades 9-12, catering to beginner to intermediate skill levels.
– Free of charge with flexible scheduling available.
– U.S. grants are accessible.