At the Board meeting on March 7, 2018, Trustees of the Halton District School Board voted to implement Innovation-STEM (I-STEM), a program incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at Aldershot High School in Burlington. The program will begin in September 2019, with the students who are entering Grade 9.
I-STEM will equip students with global competencies, also known as transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, collaboration and citizenship. Community and post-secondary partnerships will be essential elements of the program to enhance learning opportunities for students.
The concept for I-STEM was selected from among more than a dozen themes generated by feedback received from students, parents/guardians, staff and community members for the formation of an innovative program at the school. The Aldershot High School Focus Exploration was one of the recommendations approved by Trustees in June 2017 as part of the Burlington Program Accommodation Review (PAR) to address enrolment challenges and equity of opportunity for students in Burlington secondary schools.
“The HDSB is committed to advancing innovative practices in all schools to support student achievement and well-being," says Terri Blackwell, Superintendent of Education for the Halton District School Board, who is coordinating the Burlington Secondary School PAR Implementation. “This process has been a collaborative effort between students, teachers, parents/guardians, senior staff and community members, and we are pleased to present an innovative secondary school program that will accommodate students in Halton and beyond."
The implementation of this program supports the HDSB's Multi-Year Plan 2016-2020 to apply innovative approaches to student accommodation that reflect the changing needs within the community.
In Fall 2017, the Board asked students, parents/guardians, staff and community members from Halton and beyond to submit ideas for the innovative secondary school concept.
An Open House was held in November 2017 at Aldershot High School to share the themes generated and gather further input.
Further information and updates on the Aldershot High School Focus Exploration will be posted on the Board's website at www.hdsb.ca (search “Aldershot Exploration").
For additional information, contact:
Terri Blackwell, Superintendent of Education
Halton District School Board
905-335-3663 Toll free: 1-877-618-345
