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STEAM School Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the STEAM School located?
The STEAM School is located in Ampere’s new Makerspace at 12 Peel St., Lindsay, ON.
Who owns/operates the STEAM School?
This school is owned and operated by Ampere, formerly known as the Pinnguaq Association.
Why is Ampere running a STEAM School?
We want children in our area to have access to the same STEAM-focused learning opportunities available to learners at private schools and in urban centres. With our decade of experience designing and delivering STEAM education for rural, remote and Indigenous youth in Canada, and our team of educators eager to support learners, we felt that this was the next step in our journey.
How much does enrollment in STEAM School cost?
STEAM School offers flexible attendance and enrollment options. Individual days can be purchased for $65 each or a full session (two months, one day per week) can be purchased for $45 per day.
Is financial assistance available?
Financial assistance may be available upon request. Visit our contact page to reach out!
What is the schedule for STEAM School?
The school will operate Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:50am to 3:10pm, with arrival as early as 8:30 for open-play before care. Pickup goes to 3:30pm on both days. Tuesdays are for learners aged 5 to 8 and Wednesdays are for learners aged 9 to 12.
Are there before/after school care opportunities?
STEAM School students are welcome to join our standard after school programs when available and applicable which run Tuesday to Thursday.
How many classes are there and for what ages?
There are two classes; Tuesdays are for learners aged 5 to 8 and Wednesdays are for learners aged 9 to 12. These combined age ranges create space for both leadership and mentorship, as well as the potential for learners to develop more Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills such as organization, problem solving and conflict resolution.
Is this school insured?
Yes.
What qualifications do your organisation and educators have?
Ampere has a decade of experience designing and delivering STEAM programming for rural, remote and Indigenous youth in Canada.
Our STEAM School leader has a B.Ed, and she is supported by an extensive network of experienced Ampere education staff with diverse areas of expertise. We have taught hundreds of hours in TLDSB classrooms, supplementing the school curriculum with engaging, immersive, play-based education programs.
What is the student to teacher ratio?
While we expect a starting ratio of 8:1 (students to teacher), the maximum ratio will be 14:1.
Why should my child attend the STEAM School?
Our world is increasingly powered by STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math). STEAM School aims to help children in our area access the same STEAM-focused learning opportunities available to learners at private schools and in urban centres. The benefits of attending….
Advanced STEAM Learning
Giving your child an advanced understanding of these disciplines and concepts provides a strengthened foundation for ongoing learning and growth. It’s a “leg up” in the modern world.
Comfort With The World Around Them and The Opportunities it Offers
STEAM School offers learning experiences and builds knowledge that ensures our students see STEAM as an opportunity, not a barrier, and that they understand how the world around them works.
A Sense of Belonging and Community
STEAM School also recognizes that some students learn best in a non-traditional setting – the school provides that, as well as the opportunity to create connections in a community of like-minded peers, experts and educators. This is a school where they can learn in an environment built specifically for them, with smaller class sizes, opportunities for parental involvement and agile, child-centred programming – a school where they feel like they belong.
What resources does STEAM School offer that aren’t available at my child’s current school?
Schools offer learning trips every year to science centres, nature reserves and other specialized facilities – think of the STEAM School as all of those outings rolled into one, every single day. We’re excited to offer:
• Cutting-edge technology
• Scientific tools
• Recording equipment
• Robotics
• 3D printers
• Advanced coding tools
• Guest speakers and community leaders
• Access to industry experts
• Indoor and outdoor learning experience
What is my child going to learn at STEAM School and how does it compare to what they would learn at their current school?
While our curriculum will be aligned to the Ontario curriculum, our curriculum will dive much deeper into STEAM concepts including:
– Mathematics
– Science & Technology
– Social Studies/History
– The Arts (visual arts, music, drama, dance)
– English Language Arts (ELA)
– Health & Physical Education
– Most importantly, with a maximum student to learner ratio of 14:1, flexibility in methodologies, and a student-centered approach to learning, we’re providing a space for our students to engage with this content in expansive and innovative ways
How does STEAM School work with my learner’s regular school? Will my learner’s school have any issues with me taking them out of school for a day once a week throughout the school year?
We encourage an open dialogue between you and your learner’s main school to ensure the best outcomes as your learner engages in STEAM-focused learning in our facility for 1 out of 5 days each week.
What is your teaching methodology?
Our methodologies are:
• Hands-on;
• Project-based;
• Inquiry-based learning/research/exploration/sharing;
• Opportunities to engage with the Natural World;
• Problem-based challenges;
• Meaningful opportunities to engage with technology;
• With the Ontario curriculum woven throughout.
Why STEAM and not STEM?
The STEM movement was founded as a response to an economic need for skilled workers in specific fields. STEAM is an approach to education that prepares students for the ambiguity and perpetual, accelerated change of the 21st century, without a laser focus on economic drivers.
It’s experiential, and delivers a foundational education in science, technology, engineering, art and math, but focuses on developing critical thought, collaboration, problem solving and innovation skills – the tools we need for an ambiguous future. Art is key. It:
1. Is an equal outcome.
2. Shapes the way we consider the other disciplines.
3. Makes education more accessible to all genders, races and cultures.
STEAM is founded in the knowledge that while the how of problem solving and innovation may change, the need for problem solving and innovation never will. It aims to nurture well-rounded people, able to meet that need.
Who developed the curriculum? Are they qualified to do so?
The STEAM School content is developed by Ampere’s STEAM Educators who are, at minimum, Ontario certified BEd graduates. The STEAM School will be further supported by other staff and community experts.
Will there be additional classroom supports?
We strive to make our classroom as accessible as possible and encourage you to contact us about any specific needs you might have.
What does a typical day at STEAM School look like?
• 8:30-8:50 – drop off – Free exploration (no tech)
• 8:50-9:10 – Soft start, puzzles, reading, board games, exploration (no tech)
• 9:10-9:50 – STEAM Challenge of the Day
• 9:50-10:30 – Math/Language
• 10:30-11:10 – Break/Outside Time
• 11:10-12:00 – Time for guest speakers, learner-led time, focusing on our longer term projects
• 12:00-12:50 – Science/Social Studies/Health
• 12:50-1:30 – Break/Outside Time
• 1:30-2:20 – Tech/Art/Coding/Robots
• 2:20-3:00 – Semester specialization
• 3:00-3:10 – Free time (tech allowed) reflection, reminders for next session
• 3:10-3:30 – Free time while waiting for pick up