On January 23rd, students in the SHSM construction sector at Sutton District High School participated in an ICE event in partnership with Georgina Township – Parks & Recreation. Students quickly embraced the “build challenge” wholeheartedly. Working in pairs, students were asked to create a company that was responsible for designing, building, and selling (in a Shark Tank/Dragon’s Den style sales pitch) their product. The product they were asked to build was a side table to accompany a Muskoka chair. Students were given only 5 – 2x4’s to complete their project. When students saw the prizes sponsored in part by Georgina Township and Schell Home Building Centre a real competition spirit emerged and many students chose to even work through their lunch.

My Co-op at Humber River Health

By: Ryan Nguyen, Tommy Douglas S.S.

Every teenage student who dreams of going into the medical field yearns for that opportunity to experience first hand what life is like working in a hospital. We scour the internet searching for any events, connections or programs to get our feet through the door and tell ourselves that this is how that lifelong passion ignites.

My co-op placement at Humber River Health was my ignition point. From September to January 2024, I worked four days a week in the Fractures and Plastics Clinic, concluding with one day in Surgical Registration. My contributions included the direction of patient flow into exam rooms, restocking of medical equipment, translation assistance and setting up for non-invasive procedures. I saw the depth of each role in helping patients. I learned the importance of compassion, professionalism and respect. I grew my knowledge about the human body and the range of disorders that affect it. The connections that I developed with everybody in the hospital allowed me to flourish beyond what I had expected. The emotional rollercoaster of the fracture clinic gave me profound insight on life in the hospital that cannot be learned from textbooks.

To all of the students out there completely unsure whether healthcare is truly right for them, my answer is: take co-op. After realizing that I looked forward to going to the hospital everyday despite the literal blood, sweat and tears, I am absolutely sure that this is the pathway that I want to pursue in the future. Time became relative when I lost myself in hours of work helping hundreds of patients, all while loving every second of it. After co-op, my fragment of uncertainty dissipated into thin air.

I would like to conclude by praising the team of nurses, surgeons, ortho techs, receptionists, physiotherapists, X-ray technicians and everyone at volunteer services for supporting my learning. All of you inspired me to improve myself, to work harder, to put in that extra effort every single day without fail. Thank you for being the beginning of my medical journey.

Discovering the World of Skilled Trades through PSTT and a visit to Skills Ontario!

By: E. Wang, Glen Shields P.S.

Transportation SHSM SPE at Keswick HS!

By: Nicole Gordner, Regional SHSM Teacher

Prior to heading into their winter vacation, students in the Transportation SHSM sector at Keswick H.S. were led through an exciting sector-partnered experience. Wade Denney, from Dentek Automotive (and Keswick teacher), alongside Frank Guttridge spent the morning leading students through some fundamentals regarding wheels, rims, and tires. The students proceeded to locate wheel sidewall information and then checked pressure, inflated and deflated air pressure from tires. In the afternoon, students spent time removing and replacing wheel lug nuts using a four way lug wrench. Students learned the TPMS system, and were able to properly torque wheel nuts to factory specifications. All in all, students learned to remove and replace wheels from different types of wheels, safely and according to trade standards. All of this set them up nicely for the final challenge to market a wheel and tire service emphasizing quality and attention to detail.

LEVEL UP Career Fair

By: Erin Keyzers, OYAP Recruiter

Grades 7 - 12 students from across York Region District School Board participated in the interactive career fair - Level Up! Unlock Your Future in the Skilled Trades. The goal of this event was to inspire students to take their first step towards a career in industries that are constantly innovating, on the cutting edge of emerging technologies, and making a critical difference in people’s lives. Students had the opportunity to learn about Ontario’s 140+ trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities, while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers about life-changing career opportunities.

Schools that attended Level Up! and they had the following to share:

“55 of our students from grade seven (15) and eight (40) attended the interactive career fair. As I’m their Transitions teacher, I was able to jumpstart our learning about careers and pathways through this interactive opportunity by showcasing careers in the trades. After the event, students also completed their portfolio on Blueprint to record about their experience and what they learned about skilled trades.” Milliken Mills PS

“I enjoyed the experience because it opened the doors to other jobs. The hands-on experience offered what work would be like if I was in that job. Explanations were given about pay scale and education requirements. It was an eye opening experience and I felt that I learned about so many options that I didn’t know about!” Grade 8 Student

“The students loved how interactive it was. They really enjoyed being able to do things at many of the displays. Really helped them see and feel what those careers could be like.” YRDSB Educator

“As staff we gathered a lot of new information regarding the trade professions that we will share at our school with colleagues and families. The students got hands-on experiences at many of the stations, and gathered information from displays that focused on the professions they are interested in, and found out about careers they weren't previously aware of.” YRDSB Educator

Community Connected Experiential Learning

By: Karen O'Meara, Experiential Learning Consultant

Community Connected Experiential Learning is an inquiry-based, student-directed learning that provides students with opportunities to actively participate in experiencesconnected to curriculum and community outside of the school (local, national, global). The experiential learning cycle allows students to reflect on those experiences, to derive meaning from them and apply learning to make decisions and actions in various aspects of their lives. Check out two unique projects that took place in 2023-2024.

YRDSB News & Events: Crafting Futures - Building Electric Guitars and Beyond

A group of students at Unionville H.S. are making their own electric guitars in a carpentry class.

Students are building their carpentry skills, and learning more about career options and apprenticeship opportunities. In addition to learning how to plan, and use the machines safely and effectively, students are also learning about the importance of trying new things and learning from mistakes.

“My dream is to be in architecture, build a house. Learning to know the basics is really important,” said Hayley, a Grade 12 student at Unionville H.S.

“I’m learning a lot of different skills, like how to use the machines and a lot of perseverance through this experience,” said Emily, a Grade 11 student at Unionville H.S.

The students also had the opportunity to learn more about carpentry as a career from Andrew Edwards, a Red Seal Carpenter. Edwards visited the class and shared his experiences with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the profession.

“I'm hoping the students can walk out of here and kind of make a decision on whether or not an apprenticeship is right for them,” said Edwards.

“The only way we’re going to figure out what we want to do for the rest of our lives is to try different things,” said Andrew Dennis, Technology Teacher, Unionville H.S. “In school here, I’m here, I’m helping you, I’m showing you what to do. If we can try some stuff in here and see if we like it, hey, maybe that’s a career one day.”

Learn more about opportunities to explore interests, build transferable skills and gain experience in Architecture and Construction in all York Region District School Board secondary school or in other sectors at www.yrdsb.ca/experience-yrdsb.

The Sewing Studio

School: Kleinburg P.S.

Number of Students Participating: 626 students

Grade Level: FDK to Grade 8

Students were invited to our school library that was turned into a Sewing Studio. FDK students made Happy Helpers with superhero images and chose materials they wanted for their design and talked about everyone’s superpowers and to be who they want to be. Primary students made bow ties that they can either wear around their neck to complement their outfit or as a headband to add some style to their hair! Junior and Intermediate students sewed different projects like buff bags, cha-ching things, boss bags and more!

Not only do children benefit emotionally from this sewing program (they gain confidence, resilience, and hone self-regulation and mindfulness), the sewing programs also connect with the curriculum in countless ways. Here are just a few direct notable connections between the program and The Ontario Ministry of Education's Curriculum:

ARTS:

Students explore a variety of new tools, materials, and processes to create visual art forms in new ways
Students create three-dimensional works of art that express feelings and ideas inspired by personal experiences

MATH:

Students develop a sense of area and hone their spatial sense as they sort and line up two-dimensional shapes, relate shapes to other shapes, and recognize and adjust shapes for symmetry

LANGUAGE:

Students develop strengthened listening skills as different instructors guide them through specific step-by-step instructions using new, unique terms and non-verbal cues
Students participate in exercises that focus on the identification and development of skills and strategies for mindfulness, self-regulation, and effective listening in order to interact with others and better understand themselves and others

SCIENCE:

Students experience the system of the sewing machine and learn how their interaction with its levers, dials, and digital inputs performs various functions. Students also see how the system itself interacts in multiple ways with manipulation, input, and varying materials

Everyone succeeds, and kids get a huge boost in confidence, they help develop a growth mindset, and their internal dialogue shifts to "I can do it!" "I am capable!" "I can succeed!" No matter what their race, gender, religion, physical ability, verbal ability, mental health, or socio-economic background, etc., every child who participates in this program SUCCEEDS.

Participate: The staff from The Sewing Studio brought in 20 sewing machines. Their all-star team came to our school and they converted our library into a creative makerspace. Students (from kindergarten to grade 8) learn how to sew using a sewing machine, and each student completes a fun, personalized project from start to finish.

Reflect: All classes work with partners for a 50 minute period. Their team of stereotype-busting mentors guides each student through success, working on a 1-to-5 ratio, providing a dynamic, engaging, hands-on experience for the entire school all while having so much fun and building confidence within our students.

Apply: Students gain confidence, develop their growth mindset, and complete their very own customized project, all while being motivated, uplifted, and inspired.

SHSM Sector Partner Experience @ Bill Hogarth SS

By: Nicole Gordner, SHSM Regional Teacher

Following their winter vacation, SHSM students at Bill Hogarth Secondary School were led through a deeply relevant sector-partnered experience. Representatives from both the Canadian Blood Services and Oak Valley Health Transfusion Services in association with Markham Stouffville Hospital spent the morning educating students about the needs and challenges associated with blood donation in Canada. More specifically, students learnt about blood products for transfusion, compatibility testing, product wastage and current challenges such as post-pandemic recruitment and maintenance of donors. Students spent the afternoon planning and then pitching an idea to address one of the following 4 questions:

How do we get Canadians to book and keep appointments?
How can we ensure that donated blood is not wasted?
How can we get donated blood to people who live in isolated areas of Canada?
How can we get people to donate type specific blood?

After engaging with this topic, students seemed more determined and motivated to help ensure Canadians are donating blood! Some students have committed to donation and others are encouraging their teachers to plan a field trip to a donation center!

DUAL CREDITS - a college credit and high school credit at the same time!

By: Steph Parent, Leo Scire, David Lovisa, Dual Credit Teachers

www.yrdsb.ca/dualcredits

Eligible students in grade 11 and 12 have the opportunity to take a college credit while in high school. Let’s hear from some of our former dual credit students on their opportunities.

"I would love to take this opportunity to recount the steps and journeys that I have taken. Those that have led up to an altogether successful college start, community engagement and completion of courses.

Always a refreshing break from the monotony of school days, I was looking forward to going to my Dual-Credit. In these classes, I met a diverse set of students from many other school boards and they became friends after the course ended. The outstanding quality of the technology and classrooms at the college were amazing! I took 2 courses - one at Seneca and another at Centennial college.

I would, first of all, like to thank my Dual credit teacher, Mr. Steph Parent for making the trips to Centennial College worthwhile and safe, for looking out and leading us when we were in the tender time of high school." - Desheng

"I just finished my last dual credit class and I just wanted to thank you Mr. Scire for the fact that I now have a college credit. I really appreciated the opportunity to try welding. Thanks for supporting the dual credit students. This was a helpful program and I really enjoyed it. I am now trying to get a summer job in the trades and this was a great step forward for me." - Kris

"I have now completed my first college credit, which I am super proud of, because there was a time that I didn’t think I would be going to college this early, and getting to be apart of the flight attendant course has been a great opportunity for me. I am now enrolled for September for the Flight attendant services and policies program. Thank you for all your support of the dual credit program." - Liliana

Entrepreneurship

By: Karen O'Meara, Experiential Learning Consultant

On May 6, 2024 the YRDSB Pathways Team hosted the inaugural YRDSB Entrepreneurship Showcase in partnership with Seneca Helix, Seneca Polytechnic’s innovation and entrepreneurship incubator. Over 200 YRDSB students attended the event from both the elementary and secondary panels. 42 students delivered elevator pitches and 56 students set up business display booths. There were 12 community partners who attended and provided feedback to students throughout the event. Successful entrepreneurs provided students with an engaging keynote and thoughtful panel discussions to help inspire student innovation and creativity in the spirit of entrepreneurship.

40 secondary students and staff will be heading to the Provincial Showcase on Tuesday May 7th from Bill Hogarth Secondary School, Thornhill Secondary School and Markville. There will be 3 booth displays and 8 elevator pitches from YRDSB teams showcasing the students’ innovative venture plans.

Develop the Future with Apple Swift

By: Paul Igwe, Westmount C.I. & Florence Yan, Unionville H.S.

The York Region District School Board has had the opportunity to partner with the Career Education Council to provide our ICT and Business SHSM students an opportunity to learn how to create their own app through Swift. Two of our Develop the Future alumni students shared their experiences with the program and how it has impacted their future aspirations and pathways.

Please tell us a little bit about who you are and where you are now in your journey.

Paul: Hi, my name is Paul, and I’m a Grade 11 student at Westmount Collegiate Institute. I’m an alumni of the Develop the Future program and am now a mentor to those currently taking the program.

Florence: Hi, I am Florence from Unionville High School. I am also an alumni of Develop the Future. I took the program last semester and created Remindable, an app that helps organize the chaos of everyday life geared towards the elderly and those with ADHD like myself. Since the program, I have continued to work on Remindable and hopefully by next fall, it will be out to the public.

Please tell us about your connection with Develop the Future.

Paul: I was a part of the program last semester, where I learned a lot about app development and entrepreneurship. I created an app called Chimesy, which basically allows users to store and play audio files they have saved on their phone in playlists, allowing for a convenient add free listening experience. It was an amazing experience and I’ve started recommending the program to everyone I know taking co-op with an interest in computer science.

Florence: Same as Paul, I took the program last semester and created my aforementioned app. Through Develop the Future, I learned not only coding and technical skills, but also the “soft” skills, which really aren’t that soft. Given the current state of the world, being able to collaborate and learn in an online environment has become more pertinent than ever. Working in an online environment with a diverse group of mentors and fellow peers, I’ve been able to really put those important “soft” skills into practice. In fact, the skills have come in handy pretty recently when I was planning a hackathon, AliceHacks, this past 5 months. With a team across Canada, working online is the only viable option and the experience with Develop the Future has greatly improved my ability to lead my team. Soft skills are not “soft”. These are skills that will serve you forever in whatever you do.

What was your view of computer science and app development before starting the program, and how did your perspective change as a result of this experience?

Paul: While I did have experience coding before attending the program, I’d like to note that there is a difference between coding and programming and developing. Within this program, I was able to learn all the additional things on top of programming that go into making an actual feasible product that can have an impact on the world. Anyone can write a line of code, but to actually develop something of substance, takes a lot more effort and planning and requires different types of skills.

Florence: Last year, I took a computer science course, but I’m going to be completely honest and say it wasn’t my absolute favourite. Sometimes computer science can feel quite monolithic, especially as a beginner or from an outside perspective. But here at Develop the Future, I think it really puts into perspective that computer science is just a tool at your disposal. All those crazy ideas that you’ve had floating around in your head? You can make them into a reality! That in itself is amazing, but to be able to share it with people worldwide by making it accessible digitally is even more mind-boggling.

What do we need to do to inspire more students to pursue computer science and more schools to join this revolutionary program, #DevelopTheFuture? What is your advice for students, teachers, industry experts and stakeholders?

Paul: There's this notion today that, before you can even attempt to learn computer science you need to already be a genius. Like if you can’t derive a function in your head, don’t even bother trying. The fact is anyone can learn to code and Develop the Future is so great in that aspect because it teaches you from scratch. We need to make people less afraid to learn and make it known that you will be supported through your journey of learning to code regardless of experience or skill level. If you want to try it, just start. There should be no barriers for anyone who wants to get started. Look at me for example, I went from someone who didn’t own a MacBook to creating an app using Swift, and now becoming a mentor for the program.

Florence: Just getting the word out there that programs like Develop the Future even exists and is accessible to any student of any skill level would be huge. Right now, in my opinion, students are more ambitious than ever before and educators are well aware of that. But, many may not know that opportunities like this are right around the corner.

Helpful Hornets at Differentiated Access Robotics Expo 2024

By: Lysa Samuel, Bill Hogarth S.S.

This year at Bill Hogarth Secondary School the Helpful Hornets intensive community class engaged in a month-long adventure with their new Bot Buds which concluded at the 2024 D.A.R.E event. After some training Ms. Samuel introduced her class to a set of Bots that over time became our friends. They literally laughed, talked and cried in front of us. How did a Robot do that you may ask? Well, the students learned how to use the Sphero EDU app to code our Robots to do many things. One of the tasks was to create a synchronized dance routine. The D.A.R.E event on April 24th was our chance to really show our coding and Bot controlling skills. We enjoyed earning badges at each event creating a colorful necklace of achievement. Of course our favorite event was the race track built by our very own Andrew Bates with materials donated by our Best Buddies Club. Some of the challenges were tricky but everyone there was so helpful. We persevered through those challenges and had a blast! Even our very own Ms. Hogan got a quick tutorial from our students to trail some of the activities for the day. We were also so thrilled to have some friends from the ASD and Complex needs class join us. The D.A.R.E event was set up in a way that we could enjoy the activities and have safe spaces to go to if needed. We are so thankful for the opportunity to learn more about coding, robots, perseverance and collaboration through this event. A huge kudos to the organizers for arranging this. We are looking forward to what's in store for next year. Beep Bop Boop (Robot talk for “thanks for listening”).

Promoting Skilled Trades and Technology

By: Elvira Rainone, Pathways and Transitions Consultant

Skilled trades jobs are essential for society, ensuring our homes, businesses, and public spaces are safe, functional, and well-maintained. This is why the Promoting Skilled Trades and Technology opportunities at YRDSB are so important. This year 20 elementary schools from across the board experienced a culminating day at a college, following experiential classroom lessons on trades and technologies which is inline with the intermediate science curriculum expectations.

At the college, students had the opportunity to explore technology through hands-on tasks related to the trades. College students & instructors guided them through a variety of learning experiences while raising their awareness of programming & opportunities at college. Students were taught to work with materials and some equipment at the college & will also have the opportunity to engage in design thinking at their schools.

Testimonial:

Our students had the opportunity to visit Humber College’s STEM labs this past spring to learn about different trades related to STEM. Our students were engaged throughout a variety of activities that included coding for mechatronics programs, coding with robotics and learning about the capabilities of 3D printing. Our grade 8’s had a fantastic time engaging with the robotic activities and competing against Humber’s robots. They also enjoyed creating code for mechatronic sorting devices and then modifying the code to make changes for new input parameters. Many students came home inspired and are much more open to viewing college programs as an exciting option for their future education. - Charles Howitt Public School