CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Shad Canada Futures Day hosts STEAM-based sessions for high school students

At the all-day event on May 21 for Grade 10 and 11 students, the School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology offered sessions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and robotic communication. The School of Creative Industries provided a behind-the-scenes look at esports and event media production, while the School of Trades & Apprenticeships gave students hands-on experience working with brick and stone. Additional sessions were also held at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo.

Shad Canada hosts a summer program that equips high school students with the skills, mindset and confidence to lead in a rapidly changing world. The program combines STEAM-based learning through hands-on experiences with a focus on resilience, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Scott Keller, program manager in the School of Creative Industries, welcomed students into the esports hub to show the varied roles and opportunities for a career in esports, from shoutcaster in front of the camera to livestreaming in the production room.

"This is such a high energy and dynamic space," Keller told the students.

The visitors had the chance to operate video switchers in the production room as other students joined Keller to see how they'd do as a game commentator. They eagerly tested out the hub's gaming equipment, which is open to Conestoga students to use for recreation or varsity play.

Grade 9 student Breea Lad bravely took a turn in front of the camera to experience what it's like as a esports commentator.

"It's a whole lot of pressure, especially if you don't know what you're talking about," joked Lad, who is a casual gamer.

She was keen to join Futures Day, picking sessions that were out of her comfort zone as she begins to think about different careers.

"It sounded interesting and I thought it would be cool to learn about this stuff," Lad said. "I want to make sure I see everything that I'm interested in so I don't regret anything later on."

Grade 9 Stephen Doak took the same approach, signing up for the esports and masonry sessions to get a feel for these areas as potential careers. His first stop in the esports hub was impressive, especially the peek into the control room for livestreaming because he wants to do more of that with his gaming friends.   

"It's amazing and I'm very much jealous about all the technology they have to do it," Doak said.

The day was both educational and fun, prompting him to say he would join again. "It's been a great time."

Elliott Coleshill, a faculty member in the Bachelor of Computer Science program, brought robotic communication to life in his hands-on workshop session. Using two small vehicles as robotic stand-ins, he demonstrated how machines interpret and respond to digital commands. Students gained a practical understanding of how robots receive, process and act on instructions, and explored how to create and transmit those commands.

Coleshill said these events are invaluable, giving educators a platform to promote STEM-related studies to younger students.

"Inviting high school students to experience STEM opens their eyes to the real-world impact of science and technology, while also showing them that a future in STEM is not only possible but local at institutions like Conestoga."

Learn more about the variety of programs offered by the School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology, the School of Creative Industries and the School of Trades & Apprenticeships on the program pages.