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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Workshops by Topic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our program delivery has been adjusted to work in a virtual classroom. We are offering customizable sessions in many different STEM areas that have links to the Ontario curriculum and can work in any class environment.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT SESSIONS WE HAVE AVAILABLE AND REGISTER YOUR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL MARK.FANOUS@ONTARIOTECHU.CA.

While the following sessions are not currently running in their traditional format, you can browse our traditional c_wonder: Mobile Design Lab sessions below. 

Elementary Programming | Kindergarten to Grade 8

  • Colour Decoded
    Grade 1 to 6 

    Students will have the opportunity to explore computational problem solving and the  electromagnetic spectrum in this interactive workshop. They will navigate a visible light detecting robot through a series of mazes and obstacles while gaining a deeper understanding of movement, robotics and energy. 

    Curriculum Links: 

    Grade 1 | Energy in Our Lives 

    Grade 2 | Movement 

    Grade 3 | Forces Causing Movement 

    Grade 4 | Light and Sound 

    Grade 5 | Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms  

    Grade 6 | Electricity and Electrical Devices 

    Engineering Links: 

     Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering

  • Computational Problem Solving
    Kindergarten-Grade 8

    In this interactive workshop, students will explore the engineering design process by utilizing a programmable robot to solve a classroom problem. Students will learn coding fundamentals to plan their robot’s autonomous movement as well as use materials to construct tools to help with the task. The problem, along with the required coding and building skills vary by grade.  

    Curriculum Links: 

    Kindergarten | Problem Solving and Innovating 

    Grade 1 | Energy in Our Lives 

    Grade 2 | Movement 

    Grade 3 | Forces Causing Movement 

    Grade 4 | Light and Sound 

    Grade 5 | Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms  

    Grade 6 | Electricity and Electrical Devices 

    Grade 7 | Form and Function 

    Grade 8 | Systems in Action 

    Engineering Links: 

     Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering

  • Ecological Design
    Grade 4 - 8 

    In this workshop, students will delve into the science of electricity to help them engineer a device to solve a problem within an ecosystem. A variety of inputs, outputs and connectors will be available for students to use in their design in addition to various consumable materials. In this lesson, students will gain a deeper understanding of ecology, electric circuits and engineering design as well as explore societal and environmental impacts of their design. 

    Curriculum Links: 

     Grade 4 | Habitats and Communities 

    Grade 5 | Conservation of Energy and Resources 

    Grade 6 | Biodiversity; Electricity and Electrical Devices 

    Grade 7 | Interactions in the Environment 

    Grade 8 | Systems in Action 

    Engineering Links: 

    Biological Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering 

  • Electrical Devices
    Kindergarten to Grade 3 

    In this lesson, students will learn about the science of electricity and applications in everyday life. The workshop will focus on how energy is used to power a load such as a light or motor and will conclude with the students engineering their own flashlight to take home. 

    Curriculum Links: 

    Kindergarten | Problem Solving and Innovating 

    Grade 1 | Energy in Our Lives 

    Grade 2 | Movement

    Grade 3 | Forces Causing Movement 

    Engineering Links: 

    Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering

  • Game Design
    Grade 2 to 6

    This workshop explores the fundamental concepts of game design and design thinking using hardware and software. This lesson meaningful brings aspects of language into STEM learning through the creation of a storyline and development of a character. Students will delve into coding, computational problem solving and media literacy in this exciting lesson. 

    Curriculum Links:

    Grade 2 | Media Literacy 

    Grade 3 | Media Literacy

    Grade 4 | Media Literacy

    Grade 5 | Media Literacy

    Grade 6 | Media Literacy

    Engineering Links: 

    Software Engineering

  • Maker Lab (Grade 7-8)
    Grade 7 - 8 

    In this two-session workshop, students will explore rapid prototyping and the importance of user-based design in engineering. Students will be presented with a problem that will be explored through the engineering design process and solved using both software and hardware. This workshop will expand student knowledge in math, computation and critical thinking. 

    Curriculum Links:

    Grade 6 |  Geometry and Spatial Sense; Measurement

    Grade 7 |  Geometry and Spatial Sense; Measurement

    Grade 8 | Geometry and Spatial Sense; Measurement

    Engineering Links: 

    Software Engineering

  • Off to the Races
    Grade 4 - 8

    On your marks, get set, design! In this exciting workshop, students will utilize the engineering design process to design their own race track that optimizes energy and forces to make the fastest track. They will test out their tracks using start and end gates that they build. The workshop will expand student knowledge on energy, forces, electricity and engineering design. 

    Curriculum Links:

    Grade 4 | Light and Sound 

    Grade 5 | Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms  

    Grade 6 | Electricity and Electrical Devices 

    Grade 7 | Form and Function 

    Grade 8 | Systems in Action 

    Engineering Links: 

    Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

  • Resistant Structures
    Kindergarten to Grade 3 

    In this workshop, students will explore what forces act on structures and what makes structures stable. Using the engineering design process, students will construct their own structures that will be tested in a simulated earthquake and measured with a seismometer.  Students will gain a deeper understanding of forces, structures, natural disasters and how to graph information. 

    Curriculum Links:

    Kindergarten | Problem Solving and Innovating 

    Grade 1 | Data Management and Probability; Materials, Objects and Everyday Structures; Measurement 

    Grade 2 | Data Management and Probability; Measurement; Movement 

    Grade 3 | Data Management and Probability; Forces Causing Movement; Measurement; Strong and Stable Structures 

    Engineering Links: 

    Civil Engineering

  • Sustainable Design
    Grade 1- 8 

    In this hands-on workshop, students will explore what it means to be sustainable in our ever-growing world. Students will be tasked with designing a device that can efficiently produce or use energy while being conscious of the UN Sustainability goals of affordable and clean energy. This lesson provides a deeper understanding of energy production and consumption, climate change and the impact of our carbon footprint as well as engineering design. 

    Curriculum Links:

    Grade 1| Energy in Our Lives 

    Grade 2| Air and Water in the Environment; Movement 

    Grade 3 | Strong and Stable Structures + Forces Causing Movement

    Grade 4 | Pulleys and Gears

    Grade 5| Conservation of Energy and Resources; Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanism 

    Grade 6| Electricity and Electrical Devices 

    Grade 7| Form and Function + Heat in the Environment 

    Grade 8| Systems in Action + Water Systems 

    Engineering Links: 

    Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering


Highschool Programming | Grade 9 - Grade 12

  • Animatronic Hand
    Grade 9 - 12 

    In this workshop, students will utilize electricity, software and hardware to engineering their own animatronic hand that can dominate in rock, paper, scissors. Students will gain a deeper understanding of electricity, mechanical forces and the physiology behind bodily movement through this interactive lesson centred around the engineering design process. 

    Curriculum Links: 

    Grade 9 | Exploring Technologies; Physics 

    Grade 10 | Biology; Manufacturing Technology; Technological Design  

    Grade 11 | Biology; Manufacturing Technology; Technological Design  

    Grade 12 | Biology; Manufacturing Technology; Technological Design  

    Engineering Links:
    Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
  • Artificial Intelligence
    Grade 9 -12 

    In this free workshop sponsored by Actua and Google, students will explore the growing field of Artificial Intelligence. The lesson will present the types of AI, the potential applications and will explore the societal and ethical considerations of this new technology. Students will then employ their new knowledge on machine learning techniques to develop their own futuristic Smart Home System. 

    Curriculum Links: 

    Grade 9 |  Exploring Technologies

    Grade 10 | Technological Design 

    Grade 11 | Technological Design   

    Grade 12 | Technological Design  

    Engineering Links:
    Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering
  • Autonomous Vehicles
    Grade 9-12

    Students will explore the science and engineering behind self-driving robots in this hands-on workshop. Utilizing ultrasonic sensors, servo control and a micro-computer, students will  program a robot to complete various tasks and challenges. 

    Curriculum Links: 

    Grade 9 |  Exploring Technologies

    Grade 10 | Technological Design; Transportation Technology 

    Grade 11 | Physics; Technological Design; Transportation Technology 

    Grade 12 | Physics; Technological Design;  Transportation Technology   

    Engineering Links:
    Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering
  • Maker Lab (Grade 9-12)
    Grade 9-12

    In this two-session workshop, students will explore rapid prototyping and the importance of user-based design in engineering. Students will be presented with a problem that will be explored through the engineering design process and solved using both software and hardware. This workshop will also probe students to think about the societal and environmental impacts of their designs. In this lesson, students will expand their knowledge in math, computation and critical thinking. 

    Curriculum Links: 

    Grade 9 | Exploring Technologies 

    Grade 10 | Manufacturing Technology; Technological Design

    Grade 11 | Manufacturing Technology; Technological Design

    Grade 12 | Manufacturing Technology; Technological Design  

    Engineering Links:
    Software Engineering
  • Mechanical Computers
    Grade 9 - 12

    In this interactive workshop, students will explore how computers function through the use of a mechanical device. Students will delve into logic gates, conditionals, digital circuit design as well as develop computational thinking skills. 

    Curriculum Links: 

    Grade 9 |  Exploring Technologies; Physics 

    Grade 10 | Computer Technology 

    Grade 11 | Computer Technology 

    Grade 12 | Computer Technology 

    Engineering Links:

    Computer Engineering