UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
NDDHS Awarded $45,000 L.E.A.F. Grant to Expand Innovative STEAM Studio

This school year North Dundas District High School (NDDHS) was a grateful recipient of a $45,000 grant through the Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group's L.E.A.F. Initiative. The funding will directly support the expansion and enhancement of the school's cutting-edge learning environment, Studio 138 a space dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math (STEAM) exploration.

The Commonwell L.E.A.F. Initiative is designed to strengthen communities by enhancing the spaces where people learn, gather, and grow, reinforcing a commitment to innovation, future-focused learning, and community impact. This grant will compliment investments and donations already made to this space at the school.

Studio 138 at NDDHS serves as a state-of-the-art learning hub where students can get hands-on experience in areas such as 3D modeling, digital design, product development, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

"By immersing them in real-world applications through STEAM, AI and design processes, we can empower these students to become future innovators, creative problem solvers who are truly skilled entrepreneurs that are ready for industry," said Design Teacher Scott Currie.

In the fall, Studio 138 will expand its offerings to include new tools and resources in robotics, automation, software applications, and AI-enhanced design processes. The space also supports media production and ongoing mentorship from industry partners, giving students authentic connections to future careers.

"When I first started this class I had no idea what it was about and what I would learn," said student Emma Poll. "But now I know so much drawing on Krita to 3D modelling on Autodesk this class has helped me expand on finding my career."

"This studio has taught me so much, from drawing a cube to making 3D models and having fun in the process," echoed student Lija Kiersons.

Results of this funding are already being realized with the launch of the student-run podcast. For the first episode, Studio 138 welcomed Township of North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser as its first guest. Fraser visited the studio to tour the space and sit down with students for an on-air interview covering a range of topics, including healthcare access, local parks and recreation, and extra-curricular opportunities for teens in the region. The episode is available to stream for free on Spotify.

Students within Studio 138 are exploring the direct applications of their learning, developing functional prototypes and connecting classroom concepts to real-world industries. With new investment in AI, coding, automation, and additive manufacturing, Studio 138 will continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in a high school learning environment.