Mobile Design Lab

Mobile Design Lab Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does a workshop cost?

  Our in-person programming is charged by half-day or full-day. Both half-day (2 workshops, $300) and full-day (3 workshops, $400) options are available. Typical workshop activities are 75 minutes. We are happy to visit different classrooms on the same trip!

  Virtual workshops are $50 dollars each for 75 minutes. 

  Invoices are generated once bookings are confirmed. Payment is not required until after the workshop has been delivered.

• Do you offer discounts or bursaries?

  Yes! Bursaries are available for both rural and underserved schools.

  If you are interested in applying for a bursary or discussing a discount please reach out to alex.piliounis@ontariotechu.ca.

• How long is a workshop?
  Each workshop is 75 minutes. To book in-person, you must book either 2 (half-day) or 3 (full-day) workshops. For virtual, you may book 1 workshop.
• When can I book my workshop?

  Workshops can be booked up to 60 days in advance and cannot be scheduled within 10 business days before the event date and time.
  

  Our programs run during the school day during class periods. 

  Please note that our team is staffed by university students, and we begin our shifts on the Ontario Tech university campus at 8:00 AM. Due to travel time and scheduling limitations, we can only accommodate bookings within a reasonable delivery range from our campus.

  When making a booking request, please ensure you consider this start time and campus delivery range. We cannot schedule our team earlier than 8:00 AM at Ontario Tech in Oshawa, so please plan accordingly. Also, note our delivery range, which is answered in the “How far away will you travel?” question.

• Can I leave while the workshop is running?
  No. The teacher must always remain in the virtual or physical classroom and will be responsible for classroom management and student behaviour.
• Do you offer programs in other languages?
  No, we only offer programs in English.
• What do I need to host a workshop?

  To ensure a successful workshop experience, here’s what we require from you as the host:

  1. AV Equipment: Please ensure there is a projector and speakers available for the instructors to use during the session.
  2. Parking: The Mobile Design Lab uses a full-sized pickup truck, so please provide appropriate parking arrangements for the vehicle.
  3. Internet: If you anticipate any issues with the cell network, internet access, or other equipment needs, please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly. If needed, we can suggest an alternate workshop that doesn't require the internet. 
  4. Virtual workshops: All students will need internet access with a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps for optimal participation.

  Engineering Outreach provides all necessary technology and consumable materials for the workshop, but please indicate any specific accommodations in the registration form to help us prepare.

  Please also contact the coordinator directly via email if you anticipate any other issues or concerns.
• How far away will you travel?
  Pictured below is the boundary map for how far we can travel, which is no longer than 45 minutes to one hour away from our campus including traffic: 2000 Simcoe St N, Oshawa. If you are further than an hour away check out our virtual programming! 

   

  

  Please note that we verify travel times at similar times to when we expect to travel, and we do not take toll roads. 

  This travel range is at our discretion, and we reserve the right to accept or reject any bookings based on location and scheduling needs.

  Please also note that our team is staffed largely with university students, and we begin our shifts on the Ontario Tech campus at 8:00 AM. We cannot schedule our team earlier than 8:00 AM, so please plan accordingly to provide time for us to travel to your school.

• When will my booking be confirmed?

  We will reach out and confirm your booking typically 2 weeks in advance. This is to ensure we have enough staff and equipment for your workshops. If you need a confirmation more than 2 weeks in advance please contact the Mobile Design Lab Coordinator.

  If you do not hear back from us within the expected timeframe, please reach out to us to follow up.

• What is your cancellation policy?
  • Educators may cancel or modify their bookings up to 3 days prior to our arrival.
  • Educators will receive an email reminder at least 72 hours prior to their workshop. We respectfully request that you confirm your booked workshop. You must reply to this email to confirm your session or if you would like to cancel or reschedule. 
  • If you have not confirmed your booked workshop 24 hours prior to event date and time, we reserve the right to reschedule you. 
  • Changes/cancellations with less than 24 hours notice incur a $100 penalty. Exceptions will be made for weather, illness, and other extraordinary circumstances. 
• Can I make changes to my booking after it is confirmed?

  If you need to make any adjustments to your booking (e.g., change the time, number of students, etc.), please contact us directly (via email) as soon as possible. While we will do our best to accommodate changes based on availability, we cannot guarantee that changes will be possible.

  Due to our small team, we may be out on delivery and unable to respond immediately. We require at least 72 hours' notice to review and address any changes. Even with sufficient notice, we cannot always accommodate adjustments, as our team’s availability is dependent on pre-booked schedules.

  If you do not receive confirmation from us directly via our engineeringoutreach@ontariotechu.ca email or our personal staff emails, assume that the changes have been approved.

• What is Engineering Outreach’s process when it comes to inclement weather?
  •  Programs Within Durham Region:

  • • • If either the Durham District School Board (DDSB) or Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) cancels buses due to weather, we will not proceed with scheduled program deliveries in affected areas. We will contact participants to reschedule at the earliest opportunity.

  • Programs Outside Durham Region:

  • • For deliveries on the peripheries of our service area, cancellations due to inclement weather will be determined based on:
      • The discretion of the vehicle driver regarding travel safety.
      • Local school board bus cancellations in the delivery area.
    • The safety of our coordinators and instructors is a top priority. In cases of unsafe travel conditions, we reserve the right to cancel and reschedule sessions to ensure their well-being.
• What happens if Engineering Outreach needs to cancel/reschedule the workshop?
  • Our programs are supported by a small team, and many of our instructors are undergraduate students who balance their work with academic schedules.
  • In the event of illness affecting a scheduled staff member, we will make every effort to find a replacement. However, due to the size of our team and the potential for other instructors to have class commitments, finding a last-minute substitute may not always be possible.
  • If no replacement is available, we will contact participants to cancel and reschedule the affected session. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
• What if my booking exceeds 30 students?

  If you're looking to book a session with more than 30 students, please email us directly. Depending on the type of workshop, we may have limited capacity due to license restrictions. We’ll be happy to discuss any potential accommodations or alternative options available.

• What should I do if I need to book multiple workshops or want to book multiple classes/grades simultaneously?
  If you're looking to book more than 3 workshop days, please contact us directly. We can discuss scheduling options and ensure we have the necessary resources to accommodate your needs. Due to our smaller team size, we can only accommodate one type of workshop at a time. Also, to ensure a streamlined and engaging experience, we can only accommodate one class at a time (split grades are okay!).

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