I-STEM

This program brochure outlines the I-STEM program at Aldershot HS. Grade 9 students work to develop their “Engineer’s Toolkit”. The framework for this toolkit in grade 9 is the Grade 9 I-STEM Roadmap​. The framework for the Grade 10 Entrepreneur’s Toolkit will be posted September 2020.

Annually, the application dates and information will be posted on this webpage or search “I-STEM” at www.hdsb.ca. The application process for September 2020 is now closed.

The program will be open to students from the Halton District School Board and beyond who are entering Grade 9.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel. Students are asked to submit their grade 7 final report card and their grade 8 progress report card. The panel will review achievement and learning skills. Note that high achievement will not be the determining factor in selection for I-STEM.

Applicants will also respond to 4 questions. The responses to these questions will also be considered. We know that there is a shortage of females pursuing STEM fields in post secondary. The panel will also look to ensure equitable representation with respect to gender.
A random selection process will occur where there are more applications than spots available. If the student meets the application criteria, their application will be entered into a random selection process. In the random selection process, a computer will randomly assign a number to each applicant who has successfully met the application criteria for the number of available spaces. Please note that the random selection process is completed centrally at the board level and not at the school level. 

The process will identify students who will be offered available spaces as well as randomly assign a number to remaining students who will be placed on the I-STEM waitlist. 

The order of students on the waitlist is random. School staff have no way of seeing any waitlists and, as such, cannot comment on where a student might be placed on a waitlist. ​

The I-STEM program is a four-year program, with entry in grade 9.

There will not be an application fee. There will be an annual program fee of $200 per year to support the additional opportunities for students in this program. Please contact the Principal of the I-STEM secondary school, where this fee would be a barrier for your child attending.

No. The location of Aldershot High School is near the Aldershot GO Station and Aldershot is accessible via City of Burlington transit. ​

No. The I-STEM program is an optional program that will be offered in English. French Immersion is also an optional program. For secondary school French Immersion program locations, search “Find My Local School” at www.hdsb.ca.

No. This does not mean that the Arts are not valued and options limit Arts courses for students in I-STEM. All students in I-STEM will take an Arts elective in grade 9. In subsequent years, students will have flexibility within their course options to select Arts courses in their program of study.

Students will continue to be offered the regular programs offered in the high school. Students entering grade 9 are also welcome to apply for the I-STEM program.

No. Aldershot school will still have grade 7 and 8.

With the success of the Aldershot program, the new Milton Secondary School will also have an I-STEM program. The school will begin with I-STEM for students entering grade 9. There is a projected delayed opening of the school for the 2021-2022 school year. As a result, the I-STEM program will begin in the first full year of occupancy which will be the 2022-2023 school year.​ ​

Canada 2067​ provides an overview of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning in Canada. A national conference held in December 2017 is available via video here.​​