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Elementary School Programs

Two youth wearing construction hats and orange shirts, smiling at the camera and giving the thumbs up

Our Elementary Programs are carefully crafted to ignite young minds with a passion for engineering and STEM. Here's what makes our programs stand out:

  • Targeted for Grades K to 8: Engaging content designed to spark curiosity and creativity among young learners.
  • Hands-On Learning: Students dive into science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive activities and challenges.
  • Simplified Complex Concepts: We turn complex ideas into fun, hands-on projects to foster a love for learning and problem-solving.
  • Curriculum Developed by Experts: Created by experienced educators and engineers, our programs are tailored to stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, and promote teamwork.

Join us as we equip the next generation with the tools they need to understand the building blocks of the future.

 


Summer Programs
Girls Programs
Black Youth Programs
Indigenous Youth Programs
Library Workshops
At Home Learning

 

General Outreach Programs

  • Robotics and Automation Labs

    Junior Robotics and Automation Lab

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Open to: Grades 4 to 6
    Dates and Times:
    Session 1: Monday, August 17 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    Session 2: Monday, August 17 | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    Session 3: Tuesday, August 18 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    Session 4: Tuesday, August 18 | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    Location: Ontario Tech University (North Campus)
    Cost Per Participant: $35 Per Session ($120 total if attending all 4 sessions)

    This hands-on, interactive program is designed to introduce students to the fascinating world of smart technology, coding, and engineering. Acting as young engineers, participants will tackle real-world challenges spanning environmental conservation, modern electronics, automation in factory supply chains, and motion-based software design. Through these engaging sessions, students will deepen their understanding of logic-based coding, circuit design, sensor integration, and the engineering process, all while collaborating with and learning alongside university role models.

     

    Intermediate Robotics and Automation Lab

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Open to: Grades 7 to 8
    Dates and Times:
    Session 1: Wednesday, August 19 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    Session 2: Wednesday, August 19 | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    Session 3: Thursday, August 20 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    Session 4: Thursday, August 20 | 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    Location: Ontario Tech University (North Campus)
    Cost Per Participant: $35 Per Session ($120 total if attending all 4 sessions)

    This hands-on, interactive program is designed to introduce students to the fascinating world of smart technology, coding, and engineering. Acting as young engineers, participants will tackle real-world challenges spanning environmental conservation, modern electronics, automation in factory supply chains, and motion-based software design. Through these engaging sessions, students will deepen their understanding of logic-based coding, circuit design, sensor integration, and the engineering process, all while collaborating with and learning alongside university role models.

  • Single-Day STEM Programs

    Power Plant Patrol

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Open to: Grades 1 to 3
    Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
    Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
    Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus
    Cost Per Participant: Free

    Power Plant Patrol is designed to introduce young learners to coding, engineering, and energy systems through an exciting hands-on robotics challenge that shows how technology helps keep people safe and communities powered.

    In this interactive workshop, participants will work with Dash robots and beginner-friendly coding tools to explore how engineers use technology to solve real-world problems. Children will learn how to program a robot to patrol a model power plant, inspect important locations, and respond to potential hazards. Along the way, they will be introduced to the Engineering Design Process as they ask questions, imagine solutions, create plans, test ideas, and improve their programs. Through teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking, participants will build confidence with coding while discovering how robots can help people perform important jobs in challenging environments. This engaging experience makes STEM learning accessible, fun, and meaningful for young learners.

    Participants will also connect with like-minded peers and inspiring STEM role models who encourage curiosity, exploration, and future pathways in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and programming.
  • Weekly STEM Clubs

    Micro:bit Maestros

    REGISTRATION COMING SOON

    Open to: Grades 4 to 6
    Date:
    Wednesday, September 23, 2026
    Wednesday, September 30, 2026
    Wednesday, October 7, 2026
    Time: 4:30 to 6 p.m.
    Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus
    Cost Per Participant:     $45

    Micro:bit Maestros club is designed to introduce youth in Grades 4–6 to coding, engineering, wireless technology, and artificial intelligence through hands-on challenges using Micro:bit devices.

    Participants will explore how engineers use technology to solve real-world problems while learning the fundamentals of coding and the engineering design process. Through interactive activities, youth will program Micro:bits to display icons, respond to sensor data, and collect measurements from their environment. They will then discover how wireless communication works by creating long-range sensor systems that send information using radio signals. In the final session, participants will be introduced to artificial intelligence and train their Micro:bits to recognize gestures, applying their skills in an exciting wearable Rock-Paper-Scissors engineering challenge. Throughout the program, participants will build creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills while gaining confidence in technology and programming.

    Participants will also connect with like-minded peers and STEM role models who encourage curiosity, exploration, and future pathways in science, technology, engineering, and programming.

     

    3D Creation Station

    REGISTRATION COMING SOON

    Open to: Grades 7 to 8
    Date:
    Tuesday, September 22, 2026
    Tuesday, September 29, 2026
    Tuesday, October 6, 2026
    Time:     5 to 7 p.m.
    Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus
    Cost Per Participant:     $45

    3D Creation Station is designed to introduce youth to the exciting world of engineering design and 3D printing while building creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence through hands-on learning.

    In this three-week STEM Club, participants will learn how engineers identify everyday challenges and develop practical solutions using digital design tools. Youth will be introduced to TinkerCAD and the Engineering Design Process as they brainstorm, design, and refine a small classroom-focused ergonomic product that makes daily tasks more comfortable or convenient. Along the way, participants will develop skills in 3D modelling, measurement, design thinking, and iterative problem-solving while exploring how ideas move from concept to physical prototype. Participants will also learn the basics of 3D printing, including model preparation, print orientation, and manufacturing considerations. In the final session, they will test their completed 3D-printed creations, share their design journey, and celebrate their achievements through presentations and product showcases.

    Throughout the program, participants will connect with like-minded peers and supportive STEM role models who encourage curiosity, creativity, and exploration of future pathways in engineering, technology, and innovation.

 

Girls Programs

  • Girls STEM Clubs

    Power Up Her Potential

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Open to: Grades 1 to 3
        • Dates:

        • Monday, September 21, 2026
          Monday, September 28, 2026
          Monday, October 5, 2026
          Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.
          Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus
          Cost Per Participant: Free

          Welcome to the Power Up Her Potential Girls STEM Club, where imagination meets innovation for girls in Grades 1 to 3! Turn foundational science and tech into an unforgettable, hands-on adventure. Participants will step into the shoes of an engineer, build with their first blocks of code, and build unstoppable problem-solving confidence.

          Electricity & Circuits Series (3-Week Workshop)

          Week 1: Digital Spark & Scratch Coding
          Dive into the world of computer science! In this full-day coding and design adventure, students will use Scratch block coding to build an interactive video game. They will program their game engine so that pressing the spacebar illuminates a digital room, bringing their virtual world to life with light and color.

          Week 2: Circuit Explorers & Makey Makey 
          Go on an adventure to unlock the secrets of conductors and insulators! Bringing together physical exploration and hardware engineering, students will hunt for everyday materials to test electrical conductivity. Using Makey Makey technology and their custom Scratch games from Week 1, they will construct physical testing boards to discover which items let energy flow.

          Week 3: Fashion & High-Voltage Safety 
          Where fashion meets engineering safety! In our grand finale, students learn the fundamentals of electrical safety and step into the role of gear designers. Combining creativity with real-world application, they will prototype and design their very own wearable safety gear engineered to keep real electricians safe on the job.

          Spaces fill up fast, so secure your spot today!

          • Thinking in TinkerCAD

            CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

            Open to: Grades 1 to 3
          • Dates:
            Tuesday, September 22, 2026
            Tuesday, September 29, 2026
            Tuesday, October 6, 2026
            Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
            Location: Virtual
            Cost Per Participant: Free
          •  
          • Welcome to the Thinking in TinkerCAD Girls STEM Club,  the ultimate creative workshop series where imagination meets innovation! We are inviting girls in Grades 7 to 8 to step onto the canvas and become tech creators. Our main tool is TinkerCAD, a powerful, incredibly fun 3D design and simulation platform that lets students bring big ideas to life. Learning how to use TinkerCAD is a major superpower for young girls. It builds spatial reasoning, boosts technical confidence, and makes engineering feel like an interactive game. We will start with introductory concepts and apply them into real-world problems, building problem-solving skills that last a lifetime!
          •  
          • Workshop 1: The Bio-Design Challenge / SimLab Prosthetics 
          • It’s the ultimate biology and engineering crossover! In this high-energy kickoff, students explore biomimicry, learning how nature’s best designs solve complex human challenges. Working virtually in TinkerCAD’s 3D environment, participants model a functional prosthetic hand from scratch. The magic happens when we enter the SimLab! Students won't just look at their models; they will apply virtual motors and physics-based simulations to test their prosthetic joints and mechanics in real-time before presenting their designs in a team Design Pitch.
          •  
          • Workshop 2: Virtual Circuits & Smart Systems 
            We’re transitioning from 3D modeling to virtual electronics! In this session, students dive into the "smart" technology powering modern infrastructure using TinkerCAD Circuits. Students learn core electrical principles, component logic, and schematic wiring as they construct a virtual traffic light framework. They will master block-based coding and virtual breadboard wiring to control timing, inputs, and outputs, laying the groundwork for real-world microcontrollers.
          •  
          • Workshop 3: Virtual Microcontrollers & C++ / From Blocks to Real Code 
          • Time to level up to text-based programming! Staying inside our virtual lab environment, students take their TinkerCAD circuit setups to the next level by simulating a full virtual Arduino UNO microcontroller. Students transition from block-based coding to writing real text-based C++ code. They will tackle a final high-stakes engineering challenge: programming a virtual pedestrian pushbutton system that overrides automated traffic light sequences in real-time, just like a real-world systems engineer!
          •  
          • Spaces are limited in our digital and physical workshop environment. Secure your spot today! 
  • Conferences

    Go CODE Girl Conference | Annually

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    • Open to: Grades 7 to 10
    • Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026 
    • Time: 10 to 3:30 p.m. 
      Location: Ontario Tech, North Oshawa Campus 

    • Cost Per Participant: FREE

      Curious about coding, AI, or how games and websites are made? Go CODE Girl is a free, hands-on conference where you’ll explore coding, software engineering, and computer science in a fun and welcoming environment—no experience needed!

    You’ll learn coding basics through interactive activities led by Ontario Tech Engineering students and see how coding is used in everyday life. You’ll also hear from current university students and industry professionals about what software engineers and computer scientists actually do, what university is like, and how you can get started now.

    Meet other girls who are curious about tech, ask questions, try something new, and leave feeling more confident about exploring coding and STEM in the future!

    Go ENG Girl Conference | Annually

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    Go ENG Girl is a free event where girls in grades 7 to 10 can dive into the exciting world of engineering! You'll get to build, experiment, and explore hands-on projects while learning what makes engineering so awesome. No need to be a science whiz---just bring your curiosity and creativity! Girls will enjoy hearing from a female engineering guest speaker and meeting like-minded peers!

    Parents are also welcome to attend to enjoy insightful guest speakers and team up with their children to tackle a fun engineering activity in the afternoon!

  • Girl Guides Offerings

    Girls STEM Lab 

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    Bring the excitement of science, technology, engineering, and math to your Girl Guides unit with free, hands-on STEM workshops designed just for girls! Our workshops spark curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and show how STEM connects to the real world. Each session is led by Ontario Tech female-identifying student leaders and tailored to the age group of your Girl Guide unit.

    If you are interested in running a Girl Guide Badge Day workshop with your troop, please reach out to paulaoluchi.duru@ontariotechu.ca.

 

Black Youth Programs

  • STEM and Coding Clubs

    Black Youth STEM Club (Grades 1 to 3)

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    Open to: Grades 1 to 3
    • Dates: 

    • Thursday, June 25th, 2026 
      Thursday, July 2nd, 2026 
      Thursday, July 9th, 2026 
      Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
      Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus
      Cost Per Participant: FREE

      Get ready for a series of constructive fun as our youngest innovators in Grades 1 to 3 step into the boots of structural engineers and architects!

    • During this exciting in-person program, little builders will use their hands, hearts, and minds to design, test, and build models capable of withstanding the elements. Participants will explore core architectural concepts, strong geometric shapes, and structural stability through a series of immersive, hands-on challenges.

    • We are thrilled to host this interactive programming on campus and hope to see you there!

       

    Black Youth STEM Club (Grades 4 to 6)

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    Open to: Grades 4 to 6
    • Dates: 

    • Thursday, June 25th, 2026
      Thursday, July 2nd, 2026
      Thursday, July 9th, 2026 
      Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
      Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus

      Cost Per Participant: FREE

      With World Cup fever in the air, we are thrilled to kick off our next in-person Black Youth workshop series: The Science of Sports!

    • During this multi-week session, young innovators will step into the shoes of sports scientists, data analysts, and engineers to discover how cutting-edge technology powers the world's greatest athletes. Participants will explore the fascinating worlds of wearable fitness tech, artificial intelligence, and biomechanical engineering through a series of immersive, hands-on projects.

    • We are incredibly excited to launch this high-energy program on campus and hope to see you there!

  • Young Black Men Empowerment STEM Program

    Young Black Men Empowerment Program 

    Registration closed, click here and be the first to hear of our new programs

    Open to: Grades 6 to 8
    Dates:
    Saturday, October 18, 2025
    Saturday, November 29, 2025
    Saturday, January 18, 2026
    Saturday, February 21, 2026
    Saturday, March 14, 2026
    Saturday, April 11, 2026
    Saturday, May 9, 2026
    Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus

    • Cost Per Participant: FREE

      The Young Black Men Empowerment STEM Program, a partnership between 100 Strong and Ontario Tech University’s Engineering Outreach, inspires young Black men to explore STEM through hands-on activities and mentorship from Black university students. By highlighting real-world STEM applications and the engineering design process, the program builds digital skills, confidence, and belonging while empowering participants to pursue STEM careers and promote diversity in the field.

      If you have any questions about the programs, please email paulaoluchi.duru@ontariotechu.ca

  • BYTE Labs: Black Girls in Code

    BYTE Labs: Black Girls in Code

    Registration closed, click here and be the first to hear of our new programs

    Open to: Grades 6 to 10
    Dates: Saturday, May 16, 2026
    Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Location:  Boys and Girls Club of Durham, Oshawa
    • Cost Per Participant: FREE

      Byte Labs is designed to cultivate technical fluency and strategic problem-solving skills, providing young Black girls with the essential coding architecture required to navigate and lead in a digital-first economy.

      Participants will transcend basic consumption of technology to become architects of it, mastering logic-based sequencing, algorithmic thinking, and data-driven decision-making. By progressing from modular block-based logic into advanced Python syntax and Machine Learning frameworks, students will engineer functional prototypes that address localized real-world challenges. This rigorous curriculum emphasizes iterative testing and rapid prototyping, ensuring every participant can deploy clean, scalable code and validate their solutions through peer-reviewed debugging. They won't just learn to code; they will master the art of translating complex problems into executable software solutions.

      Beyond the keyboard, this program embeds each student into a collaborative ecosystem of industry mentors and visionary peers, reinforcing their identity as innovative STEM leaders and securing their place within a powerful professional network.

      If you have any questions about the programs, please email paulaoluchi.duru@ontariotechu.ca

  • Black Youth Innovation STEM Club

    Black Youth Innovation STEM Club

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    • Open to: Grades 4 to 6
    • Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
    • Time: 4:30 to 6 p.m.
      Location: Pickering Central Library

    • Cost Per Participant: FREE

      Join us as we dive into the exciting fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, exploring how Black innovators have shaped STEM, and empowering the next generation to do the same!

      This event is in partnership with the Pickering Library created to inspire Black youth to explore the world of STEM through engaging, hands-on projects and mentorship from Black university students.

      If you have any questions about the programs, please email paulaoluchi.duru@ontariotechu.ca

  • Black Youth AI Innovation Club

    Black Youth AI Innovation STEM Club

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    • Open to: Grades 6 to 8
    • Dates:
    • Monday, March 9th 2026
    • Tuesday, March 10th 2026
    • Wednesday, March 11th 2026
    • Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
      Location: Virtual
    • Cost Per Participant: FREE
    •  

    • Join us for another exciting session of the Black Youth AI Innovation Club! In a world that is increasingly incorporating Artificial Intelligence, this program equips Black youth with the skills and tools they need to thrive in the age of AI.

      This three-day virtual program gives students the opportunity to develop and apply core AI concepts, explore machine learning, and examine the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Participants will engage in interactive, hands-on activities that strengthen problem-solving skills and encourage critical thinking about the impact of AI in our world.

      If you have any questions about the programs, please email paulaoluchi.duru@ontariotechu.ca

  • Black Youth Empowerment STEM Club

    Black Youth Empowerment STEM Club

    REGISTRATION CLOSED, CLICK HERE AND BE FIRST TO HEAR OF OUR NEW PROGRAMS

    • Open to: Grades 4 to 6
    • Dates: 
      Thursday January 29, 2026
    • Thursday, February 5, 2026
    • Thursday, February 12, 2026
    • Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
      Location: Ajax Public Library, Audley Branch

    • Cost Per Participant: FREE

      This initiative is designed to spark interest in STEM among Black youth through hands-on activities and mentorship from Black STEM students at Ontario Tech University. The club seeks to break down barriers and stereotypes, fostering confidence, a sense of belonging, and the aspiration to pursue STEM careers. Presented in partnership with the Congress of Black Women of Canada Ajax/Pickering Chapter and Ontario Tech University.

      If you have any questions about the programs, please email paulaoluchi.duru@ontariotechu.ca

 

Indigenous Youth Programs

  • Indigenous Youth Days

    Indigenous Youth Days (September to October)

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Open to: Grades 1 to 8
    Dates (Grades 1 to 4):
    Friday, September 25, 2026 
    Friday, October 2, 2026 
    Friday, October 9, 2026 
    Dates (Grades 5 to 8):
    Friday, October 16, 2026 
    Friday, October 23, 2026 
    Friday, October 30, 2026 
    Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
    Location: Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre (Oshawa)
    Cost Per Participant:     Free

    Guided by Indigenous students, the Clubs are grounded in Indigenous land-based learning, demonstrating the intersections between Indigenous knowledge, STEM, and engineering design to Indigenous youth from Grades 1 to 8. We aim to renew students’ pride with their Indigenous identity and increase their confidence in the pursuit of STEM careers and education.

    Any questions regarding the program can be sent to Hunter Johnson, Engineering Outreach Coordinator, hunter.johnson@ontariotechu.ca

    Indigenous Youth Days (November)

    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

    Open to: Grades 1 to 4
    Dates:
    Friday, November 6, 2026
    Friday, November 13, 2026
    Friday, November 20, 2026
    Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
    Location: Ontario Tech University, North Oshawa Campus
    Cost Per Participant:     Free

    Guided by Indigenous students, the Clubs are grounded in Indigenous land-based learning, demonstrating the intersections between Indigenous knowledge, STEM, and engineering design to Indigenous youth from Grades 1 to 4. We aim to renew students’ pride with their Indigenous identity and increase their confidence in the pursuit of STEM careers and education.

    Any questions regarding the program can be sent to Hunter Johnson, Engineering Outreach Coordinator, hunter.johnson@ontariotechu.ca

 

Library Workshops

Explore the excitement of STEM and coding with our Library Workshops! These interactive sessions immerse young learners in engineering and coding challenges, sparking their curiosity and enhancing their problem-solving skills. Kids will delve into STEM disciplines, including programming basics, and discover how engineering solves real-world problems. It's a perfect opportunity to inspire a love for science, technology, engineering, and math in a fun, engaging setting.

 

Summer Camps

Hosted by Engineering Outreach in partnership with Ontario Tech Continuous Learning and the Faculty of Education. Our camps offer young learners the chance to explore engineering and technology through hands-on activities and guidance from experienced educators. Dive into innovation, build new skills, and spark a lifelong passion for STEM!

EXPLORE SUMMER CAMPS

 

At Home Learning

Our at-home learning options for kids are designed to bring the excitement and discovery of engineering right into your living room. With a wide array of online resources, virtual workshops, and interactive kits, we make it easy for children to explore, create, and learn at their own pace. These resources are crafted to engage young minds with real-world engineering challenges, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

EXPLORE AT HOME LEARNING RESOURCES