Destination STEM
Innovating for a better tomorrow!
Destination STEM is a week-long workshop run through the U of T Engineering Department with exciting, hands-on activities to immerse your child in the exciting world of engineering! Destination STEM is bringing the high-quality programming you expect from U of T Engineering Outreach to High Park North and surrounding neighbourhoods this summer!
Program Highlights:
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Hosted at Western Technical-Commercial School located in the High Park North Neighbourhood in Toronto.
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Participants enjoy fun, experiential science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) hands-on activities.
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Our instructors are current undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Toronto in science and engineering fields who share their experiences and excitement for their program of study.
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Participants learn about STEM through discovery-based activities and engage in challenges geared towards preparing students to become active leaders in their school, community and extracurricular activities.
Registration Is Open
When
Next season: July 4 - August 11, 2023
* See below for detailed schedule
Where
Western Technical-Commercial School
125 Evelyn Crescent
Toronto, ON
Who
Grades 3/4
Grades 5/6
Grades 7/8
Program Fee
$398 per week
Program Details:
About Destination STEM
Inspiring bright young minds!
Destination STEM is an interactive workshop hosted by UofT Engineering aimed at providing fun and engaging activities to foster students’ passions for all things STEM. This program will introduce students to a variety of Science and Engineering topics. Over the course of this program, students will expand their understanding of both modern fundamentals of science and real-world engineering applications.
We are excited to be bring our high quality, hands-on learning experiences to High Park North, Runnymede-Bloor West Village and surrounding neighbourhoods this summer. This year, Destination STEM is will be hosted at Western Technical-Commercial School (125 Evelyn Crescent, Toronto).
Dates
Weekly Sessions from July 31 - August 11, 2023
Schedule
Monday - Friday – 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Grades
Students must be in grades 3/4, 5/6, or 7/8 in the 2022-2023 academic year
Creating an Active Account
If this is your first time registering for one of our programs, you will be prompted to create an Active account as you register. If you are successful in getting a spot in the workshop, your spot will be held for you as you complete the registration form, so no need to rush.
Please note that it is not possible to create an account before the registration date.
Waitlist
If you see that a course is waitlisted on the registration page, that means there are no available spaces. If a space opens up in the course, those on the waitlist will be notified immediately in the order that they registered.
Cost
$398/week
Please check back closer to course registration for the most up-to-date information.
Cancellation Policy
A refund or a credit, less a $80 administrative fee is available for cancellation requests received by 11:59 PM ET on the Monday before the session start date. No refunds or credits will be issued after this point. Please note that this charge is to cover administrative processing fees. Thank you for your understanding! For more details regarding cancellation deadlines, please refer to your confirmation email once you have completed the registration process.
Your health and the health of our community are important to us. In light of circumstances around assessing symptoms, refund requests for programs that are received after the cancellation deadline will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Bursaries
Bursaries are available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons who demonstrate financial need. See the application form find out more about our bursary application process and to apply.
Questions?
Do you have questions about Destination STEM?
Contact us at outreach@engineering.utoronto.ca
2023 Course Descriptions & Schedule
July 4 – 7 | July 24 – 28
To Infinity and Beyond!
You and your crew are sent into space to explore for signs of life on other planets. Using your knowledge of astronomy and space, you must navigate through the galaxy to study the eight planets in our solar system. However, along the way, you are hit by a passing meteorite causing some damage to your spacecraft and communication system. Luckily, you and your crew are skilled aerospace engineers up for the challenge!
In this course, students will explore the science and engineering used in space. Students will learn about the planets in our galaxy and the different “life” on each. Students will also learn about the vehicles used to study astronomy, such as space crafts and land rovers. Students will then have the opportunity to build their very own space vehicles, some even capable of flight up to 50 meters high!
Disciplines: Astronomy, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Built for Speed
After years of professional racing, you and your team have decided to set up shop building the fastest race cars in the business. However, soon after your opening, whispers of a new mega-car capable of out performing the traditional street car emerges. Can you and your team engineer an ultra-vehicle to out race these new super cars? Or will you close up shop?
In this course, students will learn the fundamental principles of automotive and mechanical engineering. Students will begin by creating their very own miniature car using a limited set of resources. Students will then learn about design modifications and their advantages and disadvantages when considering factors such as speed, cost, look, and control. Students must then take these design constraints into consideration to design their own custom vehicles, with the goal of creating the fastest and most cost-efficient vehicle in the class.
Disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Hardware, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering
Hacking A.I.
While working aboard a crashed alien spacecraft, you and your team accidentally activate the ships navigation system. In one week, the GPS location of planet earth will be broadcasted across the universe. Can you and your team use your computing skills to hack the mainframe and stop this broadcast? Or will earth receive another unexpected visitor?
In this course, students will learn the fundamental principles of software and computer engineering. Students will learn how to talk to computers and how computers interpret the information we provide them. Students will then end the course by debugging provided programming code used to control a complex circuit designed by the students earlier in the course.
Disciplines: Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Hardware, Software, Aerospace Engineering, Astronomy, Artificial Intelligence
July 10 – 14 | July 31 – August 4
Need 4 Speed
You and your crew have decided to try your hand in professional race car driving, competing against some of the best known drivers worldwide. But while you’re new to the game, you and your team have a secret advantage – building the fastest, self-driving vehicle in the world using your new STEM knowledge from Destination STEM. Are you ready for the challenge?
In this course, students will learn about the science behind cars. Students will also learn the principles of machine learning and the importance of input/output sensors in the design of self-driving, automated vehicles. Students will then have the opportunity to build their very own self-driving cars, controlled by custom software programmed by them.
Disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Hardware, Software Engineering, Computer Science
The Human Computer
While working for NASA, you and your team discover a series of software errors that have compromised the crucial calculations for the upcoming launch mission. With only hours before take-off, you and your team must now reprogram the NASA computers and ensure all program outputs are accurate. Can you use your computer science skills to debug the codes? Or will NASA need to abort mission?
In this course, students will learn about the use of computers and software engineering in aerospace engineering. Students will learn the fundamental principles of software engineering, and how computers process inputted information. At the end of the course, students will be given a software controlled circuit containing multiple programming and hardware errors. Students must then use their knowledge from the course to systematically debug their systems and successfully produce the desired output from the circuit.
Disciplines: Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence
Lost In Space
During a routine space craft mission, you and your team suddenly loose control of your engines and veer off-course. With your fuel now running low, you have no choice but to land on a foreign plant and use the available resources to survive. Can you and your team use your knowledge of STEM to find a way off this unknown planet? Or, will you be lost in space forever?
In this course, students will explore the science and engineering used in space travel. Students will learn about “life” on the different plants within our galaxy, and how they compare to what we are familiar with here on earth. Students will also dive into the fields of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and gain a fundamental knowledge of the technology required for space travel. Students will then have the opportunity to simulate and debug their very own spacecrafts for launch.
Disciplines: Astronomy, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Sustainability
July 17 – 21 | August 8 – 11
The Language of AI
You and your team find yourselves suddenly transported into the world of computers. Instead of English, the world is series of 1s and 0s. Can you learn the language of computers to find your way back home? Or will you be trapped online forever?
In this course, students will learn how to talk to computers, and how computers interpret the information we provide them. Students will learn fundamental programming structure and test their knowledge by building their very own software controlled circuits.
Disciplines: Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Hardware, Software, Artificial Intelligence
Houston - We Have a Problem
You and your team have successfully launched your first aircraft into space from the mission control center. The mission is now clear, monitor the aircrafts trip around earth’s orbit and guide your space team to safety in the pacific ocean. However, shortly after launch, your astronauts report several errors on board that prevent them from controlling the aircraft. With the limited resources your space team has available, can you help your astronauts land back on earth?
In this course, students will explore the science behind launch systems and spacecrafts. Students will first gain an understanding of general space travel, and what is required to successfully launch and sustain a spacecraft in space. Students will then apply this knowledge to troubleshoot faulty systems aboard our “spacecraft” – ranging from software errors to hardware malfunctions.
Disciplines: Astronomy, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science
The Fast and the Furious
You and your team are set to beat the world record for the fastest race car in the industry. However, shortly before your big race, your car malfunctions. Can you and your team now beat the race against time and repair your engine? Or will you walk away from your world record?
In this course, students will learn about the science and engineering behind manufacturing and repairing cars. Students will then have the opportunity to build their very own cars from scratch based on their acquired knowledge. Students will implement software engineering and microcontrollers to help control their vehicles. To end off, students will then debug their creations after a unique software and hardware error are thrown into their designs.
Disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Hardware, Software Engineering, Computer Science
Registration is Open
Please Complete the application form using the following link.
Space is limited, register soon!
