UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Carleton Place High School Students Get Hands-On with STEM Days

Grade 7 students at Carleton Place High School (CPHS) put their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills to the test last week during a full day of hands-on learning and problem-solving.

Five STEM stations were set up throughout the school to introduce students to the skilled trades and give them opportunities to explore new skills. Students rotated through the stations every hour, building wind turbines, exploring LEGO robotics and trying their hand at carpentry by building planter boxes.

"A carpenter would be a pretty cool job," Grade 7 student Lucas Ladouceur said after helping to cut wood and nail together the planter boxes.

In the gymnasium, Grade 7 student Ava Hancock built a wind turbine out of cardboard and paper cups. When it was put to the test with a leaf blower, her turbine worked.

"I like finding out how things work so we can improve things," Hancock said. "Science has been my favourite subject for a little while now, and I like building stuff."

CPHS teacher Nathan Sonsa said giving students the opportunity to work with different tools and try new activities helps build their confidence while exposing them to different interests and career possibilities.

"There are lots of opportunities for students to find their niche, get excited about learning and be part of a team," said Sonsa. "These are practical skills they can use later in life, and it an open their eyes to opportunities in the skilled trades."

Upper Canada District School Board Learning Partner and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) recruiter Jane Purdy toured the  stations as students worked, answering questions and sharing information about STEM competitions taking place later in the school year.  

"This is great exposure for students to get hands-on experience with the skilled trades and see that they can do things they may not have thought they could do," said Purdy. "The skilled trades are a pathway that many students may not have considered. Apprenticeship provides an opportunity to earn while you learn, and events like this help students discover some of the different pathways available to them."

CPHS Grade 8 students will take part in their own full-day STEM experience on Friday, October 9.