STREAM and Innovation

In 2022, the Ontario Science curriculum was updated with the addition of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) components. This integration aims to enhance students’ understanding and engagement in these fields by incorporating interdisciplinary approaches in all subject areas, problem-solving skills, and hands-on experiences. Diversity Matters! Innovative designs and solutions to complex problems requires diverse perspectives, skills, knowledges and experiences. Creating opportunities to explore and learn will help our students to make informed decisions about their futures.

What is STREAM?

WCDSB is committed to fostering a holistic educational approach that integrates faith, creativity, and the STEM disciplines. This is why at Waterloo Catholic we focus on the STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) framework. The STREAM framework directly connects to our comprehensive multi-year strategic plan, ensuring that each student experiences the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations (OCSGEs) throughout their learning environments.

STREAM is for everyone, it is not an after-school club or a special event. It is a part of every student’s learning -not only for future scientists or engineers but for all students to develop their transferable skills. The STREAM learning framework is about doing better by creating faith-based, culturally relevant programs that are equitable and inclusive to different perspectives and curiosities. So let’s create this opportunity for diverse learners together through STREAM!

By observing, listening, and responding to your child’s interests, you support their curiosity. When given the chance to communicate their thoughts and ideas, children develop their own thinking. Asking open-ended questions can guide a child’s exploration and providing descriptive observations about what you notice can support vocabulary development related to STREAM. The language of STREAM revolves around the scientific research process, the scientific experimentation process and the engineering design process. Modeling these behaviors and naming them supports your child’s development.

Asking questions helps children reflect on what they are trying to do, whether it worked or not, and how to plan their next steps. Listening to a child’s answers helps them to extend their learning.

Useful questions to encourage problem-solving:

  • What are you working on?
  • What do you notice?
  • What did you try?
  • What happened?
  • What will you do next?
  • What else could you try?
  • What do you think will happen?
  • What was different the second time?

Children come to the world with an open mind and may be more likely than adults to think outside the box. Their creations and creative solutions may be something you do not entirely expect.

Responding to children’s work in a way that is not judgmental (e.g., “Nice work!”), but is objecting and encourages children to describe what they have done, can encourage continued creativity and a “growth mindset.” Consider using the following prompts and open-ended questions to support the communication of ideas through reflection:

  • Tell me what you are working on…
  • Tell me about…
  • I notice you used…
  • What happens if you…?
  • How did you…?
  • Explore the outdoors and nature
  • Read fiction and non-fiction books with STREAM related content
  • Allow for open-ended play
  • Play games as a family
  • Select educational programming through film, television, and web content
  • Visit an interactive museum
  • Seek out and encourage STREAM extracurriculars
  • Talk about what is happening at school including activities and what they are learning