T.A. Blakelock HS’s I-STEM program partners with the University of Waterloo
T.A. Blakelock HS's I-STEM program partnered with the University of Waterloo’s Science and Business program to offer Grade 10 students an enriching opportunity to explore global challenges through an entrepreneurial lens, combining STEM principles with business strategy.
The initiative began with a visit to the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Science, where 105 students engaged in presentations, campus tours and collaborative sessions that sparked the early stages of their project ideas. Over the fall and winter, students worked on hands-on projects addressing real-world issues, integrating science, technology, engineering and mathematics with entrepreneurial thinking.The program culminated in final presentations on April 9, 2025, hosted by Waterloo’s School of Accounting and Finance. I-STEM students delivered pitches, shared working prototypes and presented detailed business plans to post-secondary peers, receiving insightful feedback grounded in real-world business practice.
Brandon Nguyen, Program Manager, Science and Business Program wrote the following about the partnership’s benefit to students: “This collaboration between Thomas A. Blakelock High School and the University of Waterloo represents a powerful model for experiential, interdisciplinary education. By connecting secondary students with post-secondary mentors and resources, the program empowers participants to develop tangible, impactful solutions while gaining confidence in their abilities to lead and innovate. The final presentations not only celebrated the students’ accomplishments but also marked the beginning of their journey as future changemakers and innovators.”
This partnership reflects the HDSB’s ongoing commitment to Learning, Engagement and Achievement as outlined in the 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan, empowering students to think critically, collaborate effectively and develop innovative solutions for a changing world.
