Program Overview
The St. Augustine CHS STREAM Focus Program is an interdisciplinary approach to inquiry and problem-based learning
Real World Learning
The STREAM program incorporates real world challenges and the engineering design process to foster critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication skills that are guided by the tradition and principles of Catholic social teachings
Technologies
The STREAM program integrates many different technologies into daily instructions. Some examples of technologies and technological skills that the grade 9 students will be actively engaged in include: Programming, Robotics, and Design Projects
The Future
Our program will prepare our students for the future. It consists of an academic component and a non-academic (SHIELD) component with the opportunity to earn an international award. STREAM encourages both personal and academic achievement, and challenges students to excel in their academics, leadership and personal growth
STREAM Pathway Courses
Below are the STREAM course pathways
In Grade 9, there are two interdisciplinary projects:
Geography and Science - Minecraft Sustainable Communities
Math and Integrated Technologies - Robot Maze
In Grade 10, there is one interdisciplinary project:
English and Science - Critical Thinking and Communication with Science via Project Based Problem Solving
All STREAM designated courses utilize one or more of our STREAM philosophies/skills:
Interdisciplinary Work
Design Thinking
Technical Writing
Programming
Engineering Principles
Scientific Method
Google Apps For Education
Digital Citizenship
STEM+ / STREAM PATHWAYS (requirements)
The following are designated pathways for graduating classes as follows:
2024 (current grade 12’s) - Pathway 1 or Pathway 2
2025 (current grade 11’s) - Pathway 1 or Pathway 2
2026 (current grade 10’s) - Pathway 1 or Pathway 2
2027 (current grade 9’s) - Pathway 1 or Pathway 2
How To Apply
For All Students
attend virtual Grade 8 Parent Information Evening on November 22, 2023 at 6:00pm to receive information about the STREAM Focus Program
Submit STREAM Focus Program Application (see dates below)
a STREAM Application Package (PDF) will be sent out to email submitted online as proof that the application has been submitted and received (this should be kept as a record/proof of submission to the program)
admission decisions will be emailed to all applicants in mid-January 2024.
Application Opens:
Friday, December 1, 2023
Application Deadline:
Thursday, December 14, 2023 by 3pm
SHIELD
“Designed To Make Our Graduates Real World Ready”
Our second component allows our students to develop skills necessary to succeed both professionally and personally while taking care of their well-being. When students engage in service, physical activity, experiential learning and leadership opportunities they will become responsible, caring and compassionate citizens.
SERVICE
There are many benefits to volunteering. It allows you to get to know your community and make it a better place. It gives students the opportunity to practice and develop their social skills. The social contact aspect of helping and working with others can have a profound effect on student’s overall psychological well-being. Volunteering increases their self-confidence. Doing good for others and the community, provides a natural sense of accomplishment. The better students feel about themselves, the more likely they are to have a positive view of their life and future goals.
Possible SERVICE opportunities include:
- Duke of Edinburgh Award - Service Component
- Overseas Service Trip (Ecuador - March 2019)
Health & Wellness
Being physically active can help students feel stronger and better able to do day-to-day activities. In addition, being active also helps them feel better mentally and emotionally, and can improve their overall quality of life. Physical activity helps students to concentrate and feel mentally ready for the tasks at hand. Regular activity leads to higher self-esteem, better sleep, more energy and stronger resilience.
Possible HEALTH & WELLNESS opportunities include:
- Duke of Edinburgh Award - Adventure Journey Component
- Athletics - school/non-school
- Senior HPE course
- Courses with a health and wellness component
INNOVATION &
INTERDISCIPLINARY
Trying a new skill requires dedicated time and consistent effort. When students learn something new, their mind and their perceptions change, which in turn makes it easier to adapt to the inevitable changes life always tends to bring.
Possible INNOVATION/INTERDISCIPLINARY opportunities include:
- Duke of Edinburgh - Skills Development Component
- Dept Based Certificates or grouping of courses
- International Language Courses
- Library Challenges (ex. iHelp - student innovation and support team)
- 3D Printing
- MakerSpace
- York Region Science Fair
- Ontario Science Centre School Courses
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Experiential learning involves critical thinking, problem solving and decision making skills. It goes beyond the theories taught in the classroom to offer first-hand experience.
Possible EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING opportunities include:
- Duke of Edinburgh Award - Skills Development Component
- Co-Op Courses - Day School and/or Summer School
- Dual Credits - YCDSB and Ontario Colleges
- SHSM
- DECA
- MSH - High School Art Competition and Exposition
- MOCK TRIAL
- HOSA
- YCDSB Summer School - travel + credit course opportunities
- OUTWARD Bound
- SHAD
- Drama Major Production
- Dragon’s Den
- Marketing Fair
- Sir Issac Newton Physics Contest
- U of T Biology Competition
- University of Waterloo Chemistry Contest (gr. 11 and 12)
LEADERSHIP
All students have leadership abilities. To help develop their leadership abilities they must participate in opportunities to teach and support others and be a positive role model. Students need to ensure their words and actions are congruent at all times.
Possible LEADERSHIP opportunities include:
- Duke of Edinburgh - Gold Level Requirement
- Muskoka Woods - Leader/Mentor Training at YMCA Cedar Glen
- BOH4M - Business Leadership Course
- PLF4M - Fitness Leadership Course
- ADC4M - Drama in the Community Leadership Course
- Executive of Councils & Clubs
- Arts & Athletics Camp Counsellor
DIGITAL LITERACY
eLearning has become quite popular and appreciated among students all over the world. Our students will most likely take at least one online course in their lifetime. We will provide our STREAM students with opportunities to learn the necessary skills to be prepared for online mode of learning.
Possible DIGITAL LITERACY opportunities include:
- E-Learning Course
- Virtual Co-Op
- YEARBOOK Course
- APP Development
- Programming
STREAM Spotlight
Examples of STREAM In Various Curriculum Departments
Canadian & World Studies
Mathematics
Moderns (French)
STREAM Partners
St Augustine CHS
“The ideal engineer is a composite … She/He is not a scientist, is not a mathematician, is not a sociologist or a writer; but may use the knowledge and techniques of any or all of these disciplines in solving engineering problems.”
