The opening of the new Integrated Tech room supports the launch of Curiosity Creates Change (C3). C3 is an inquiry-based learning experience for all ALCDSB grade 7 and 8 students. With a focus in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the program will also include exploration of United Nations Sustainable Goals, and Community Connected Experiential Learning.
“The new ALCDSB Technology Site located at Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf will be a designated space for all ALCDSB grade 7 & 8 students and their teachers to participate in skilled trades related programming and explore all technology sectors available to them once they get to high school”, said David DeSantis, Director of Education for the ALCDSB.
L-R MPP Todd Smith and David DeSantis, Diretcor of Education for the ALCDSB, work along side grade 8 students from Sacred Heart Catholic School (Batawa) on Friday during a site visit to the ALCDSB’s new Integrated Tech classroom. The classroom supports inquiry-based learning, and offers students the opportunity to explore careers in the skilled trades by participating in hairstyling, construction and culinary activities.
The Ontario Ministry of Education 2022/23 Science, Technology & Math sample curriculum links with the grade 7 and 8 Integrated Tech classroom experience and aligns with overall (learning) expectations, including but not limited to: STEM investigation, communication skills, applications, connections, and contributions, exploring and understanding concept.
Carey Smith-Dewy, Superintendent of Education for the ALCDSB, works with grade 8 students from Sacred Heart Catholic School (Batawa) at a hairstyling station in the new grade 7 & 8 Integrated Tech classroom at the ALCDSB Tech site in Belleville.
“A big focus of the work we are doing in launching C3 is to support students in inquiry-based learning by providing opportunities for provocation”, said Carey Smith-Dewey, Superintendent of Education for the ALCDSB.
A provocation is anything that encourages a student to question, wonder or increase curiosity. Provocations can be as simple as a thought-provoking quote or an interesting image and are meant to spark passion in an issue or subject.
Since the new Integrated Tech space opened its doors in January, the ALCDSB tech site has hosted 309 Students from 9 Catholic Learning Communities.
The average cost for an intermediate class to visit the Integrates Tech classroom is $535.00 or approx. $22.61 per student. This fee includes materials, bussing, and lunch.
ABOUT ALCDSB
The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board serves approximately 12,000 students, employs over 1,400 full-time equivalent staff and covers a geographical area of more than 16,000 square kilometers.
The ALCDSB builds faith-filled learning communities where each member is loved, inspired, and successful.
ABOUT C3
The Curiosity Creates Change (C3) grade 7 & 8 intermediate program is an accessible and inclusive program, available to all students in the ALCDSB formally launched in fall 2022. The program provides all intermediate students in the ALCSDB access to inquiry-based learning, with a foundation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The program will also include a focus on United Nations Sustainable Goals, and Community Connected Experiential Learning.
ABOUT THE ALCDSB TECH SITE
The ALCDSB Tech Site is located on the Sir James Whitney Campus in Belleville. The site provides hearing impaired students and students in the western region of the ALCDSB access to a variety of skilled trades programming opportunities such as; automotive, culinary, hairstyling and aesthetics, construction.
ABOUT OYAP OYAP is a ministry-approved specialized program that enables students to earn credits towards their OSSD by taking a cooperative education course for which the community component is in an apprenticeship trade.
