The new charter school focuses on STEM for middle and high school students

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The new charter school, scheduled to open in the fall, is aimed at students who are attracted to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research.

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Former Calgary Board of Education co-founder Lisa Davis launches STEM College Canada on 47th Street and 52nd Avenue, the future home of a public charter school in southeastern Edmonton’s Piley Po Industrial District. Was announced.

STEM University not only provides education designed to enable students to pursue more advanced learning and careers in STEM-related fields, but also works with industry partners to ensure that technology offerings are up-to-date. You can also check. -Higher education institutions such as NAIT that support curriculum development and provide access to industry professionals.

“Most of what we do is help students explore how this technology is used in real-world applications,” says Davis. “Our students are not only technology users, but also technology creators and innovators.”

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Located in the office space complex known as Prospect Place, STEM College occupies the main floor of the westernmost building and aims to be open to students from grades 7 to 9 in the fall of 2022.

According to Davis, the school will initially accept about 100 students and will eventually accommodate about 450 students in earnest.

The STEM Collegiate will also be open to high school students starting in grade 10 of the 2023-24 year and expanding to grade 11 in 2024 and grade 12 in 2025.

According to Davis, the school is still considering “creative options” for accommodating upper grade classes and will make high school electives available online to Alberta students in 2023. is.

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Over the next three years, Alberta’s 2022 budget will be $ 72 million ($ 25 million in working capital) to support the expansion and creation of charter school and university programs, especially those for STEM research and trade. Spent capital spending (including $ 47 million).

In Alberta, charter schools are public schools that provide basic education “in different or enhanced ways” and do not charge tuition fees and deny access to students as space and resources allow. can not. According to the state, college schools are supported by higher education institutions and industry partners, providing students with a path to higher education and a high-demand career option.

According to the school’s website, junior high school students have access to courses in design, engineering, media, and computational thinking, while grade 10s have computer and information technology, design and communication, engineering and technology, and health and life sciences. According to Davis, the school is still developing high school electives.

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The high school also promises to have a “Fab Lab” or digital manufacturing facility linked to 2,000 labs in more than 120 countries for global collaboration. Davis calls it the “steroid maker space” that enables rapid prototyping.

“There are 3D printers, laser cutters, robotics, and a variety of technologies,” she said, adding that students will be able to put their knowledge to practical use. ..

The school is currently accepting junior high school registrations in the fall and holds briefings on May 25th and June 6th.

hissawi@postmedia.com

@hamdiissawi