STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

An introduction to our Stem curriculum

At AcadeCap, we make links in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subject areas through innovative projects, labs and activities. This affords our students the opportunity to create, explore, take risks and be challenged in the classroom and beyond. We do this thanks to our:

Lab

With the creation of a specialized lab area for hands-on work, the students make Engineering and Science come to life in ways not normally seen in middle or secondary school.

STEM Curriculum

The school has a rich inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum comprised of Défi mathématique, IB MYP Math, and ICT (Integrated Computer Technology) classes included in the daily curriculum. They prepare students to participate in local robotics competitions, Caribou Math Tests, science and environmental fairs as well as Rube-Goldberg Machine contests.

Computer Tech and Science

AcadeCap offers specialized computer technology courses for all ages, allowing students to progress at their own pace while learning valuable computer skills.

After a year of successful pilot computer programming, the existing computer class curriculum was modified to include a 45 minute per week software programming component.

Computer Science Curriculum

We use CS Unplugged, a collection of learning activities that use simple and engaging games, puzzles, string and crayons to teach the children some of the building blocks of how computers work.

For the hands-on component of the course we use Scratch, a visual programming environment that lets kids make games, animated stories, and interactive art.

Computer classes are offered once a week for 45 minutes. Students learn in a small-class setting of about 12 students per class. Each student has access to a computer.

At the secondary school level we teach a java course based on the Ontario Ministry of Education computer studies curriculum which is structured to give students a solid foundation in these four areas:

  • Software development (including project manage ment and software engineering principles)
  • Algorithms and data structures
  • Program correctness and efficiency
  • Professional and ethical responsibilities

Tech & Coding success for all

The aim is to have every student start, and secondary school student finish, his or her journey towards a comprehensive understanding of computer science, not only including the informational technology infrastructure, but progressing to algorithmic problem solving and computer programming, even for early elementary students.

Tech and coding for success, when it comes to our blind and visually-impaired students, means learning how to best use assistive technology along with acquiring coding skills.