IDEA: Spark offers captivating, hands-on learning experiences, tailored exclusively for Indigenous youth, to kindle a deep passion for science, engineering, and innovation.
Registration Closed
Updates regarding 2024 programming coming soon. Please join our mailing list for updates on future programs and registration times.
When
Dates TBA
Where
U of T’s St George Campus
Who
Grades 1–6
Program Fee
Free
Program Highlights
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Engaging Foundations: IDEA: Spark is built upon the engaging foundations of science, play, adventure, resurgence, and knowledge, creating Saturdays filled with hands-on exploration and learning.
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Immersive STEM Experience: This program offers an immersive experience that seamlessly blends Indigenous science, outdoor exploration, and captivating STEM concepts, providing Indigenous youth with a unique learning journey.
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Technical Skills and Innovation: Participants in IDEA: Spark not only build valuable technical skills but also gain fresh perspectives on innovation in science and engineering, setting the stage for future success.
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Land-Based Learning: Grounded in Land-based learning, IDEA: Spark is tailor-made for Indigenous children and youth with an interest in exploring STEM and forging meaningful connections to the Land and fostering a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage.
Full Description
IDEA: Spark is a new program from the Indigenous Design and Engineering Academy (IDEA). It explores STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts while fostering connections to the Land. IDEA: Spark is built on the foundations of science, play, adventure, resurgence, and knowledge, offering participants an exciting journey into cultural wisdom and STEM topics through hands-on activities.
Led by our team of Instructors, Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students with a passion for learning, participants will delve into the role of Indigenous knowledge in contemporary engineering and technology. They'll discover important inventions and innovations, and tackle engineering challenges that merge traditional wisdom with modern solutions.
Join us on the St George campus of the University of Toronto for a four-week session, held on Saturday afternoons. This program is open to Indigenous students in Grades 3-6 for the 2023/2024 academic year. Ignite your child's curiosity in the captivating worlds of STEM and Indigenous knowledge!
Program Details
Dates
TBA
Schedule
Saturdays - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM*
*We offer before care (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM) and after care (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM) free of charge for students in grades 1–6.
Application Requirements
Open to Ontario Indigenous students in the 2023/24 school year.
To be eligible for the IDEA-Horizons program students must meet the following requirements :
- Students must identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit).
- Students must be currently in grades 1-6 of the 2023-2024 school 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
FREE--there is no charge to participate.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation requests must be received by 11:59 PM ET on the Monday before the session start date. 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.
Do you have questions about IDEA: Spark?
Contact us at outreach@engineering.utoronto.ca
Registration is Closed
Updates for the 2024 season are coming soon. Please join our mailing list for updates on future programs and registration times.
