I-STEM
The I-STEM program channels a student’s natural fascination with emerging technologies into engineering meaningful solutions for tomorrow. Driven by a spirit of continuous innovation, the program builds a powerful, future-ready toolkit by fostering deep collaboration and instilling the adaptive leadership required to guide teams through complex challenges. Ultimately, by anchoring the curriculum in real-world, open-ended challenges, the program fulfills the promise of active, experiential learning, allowing students to move from theory to impact as they design, prototype, and build the future.
Select a topic below to learn more about the I-STEM program, the junior and senior learning experiences and how students can apply.
AP/IB/I-STEM Livestream
Monday, Oct. 5, 2026 7–8 p.m.
I-STEM School Information Evenings In-person
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
Designing the Future
The I-STEM program is built on an active, project-based learning framework designed to engineer solutions for tomorrow. Because modern success requires more than knowledge, the curriculum delivers the promise of project-based learning through an immersive, tech-driven environment.
Here is how the I-STEM journey brings learning to life:
Integrated Academics & Emerging Technologies
Students complete the standard Ontario curriculum through a future-focused lens. Whether studying science, mathematics, or geography, lessons are infused with exposure to emerging technologies, ranging from coding and robotics to sustainable green energy systems.
This gives foundational academic concepts immediate, real-world context.
The Design Challenge Cycle
Learning in I-STEM happens through doing. In every unit, students engage in open-ended, project-based design challenges.
Following the engineering design-thinking process — ideating, prototyping, testing and iterating — they push the boundaries of innovation to solve genuine human and environmental problems.
Collaboration & Leadership in Action
Real-world innovation doesn't happen in a vacuum. Students regularly work in diverse, cross-functional teams, fostering the deep collaboration skills modelled in modern tech workplaces.
By pitching prototypes to community partners and leading peer initiatives, students build the personal leadership needed to guide tomorrow’s industries.
Schools Offering I-STEM
Select a school below to visit the school's website and learn more about its I-STEM programming.
The Details: I-STEM — The Junior Years
The Academic Delivery
Once enrolled, students take their compulsory Grade 9 and 10 Ontario Curriculum courses (e.g., De-streamed Science, Academic English), delivered in a year-round, de-semestered format.
This continuous structure allows teachers to break down traditional subject silos and use Project-Based Learning to explore continuous, foundational themes: Local Issues, Emerging Technologies, and Innovation.
Students cover the same provincial material as their peers, but lessons are extended through open-ended, real-world design challenges.
Earning the Ontario Credit
Because classes run year-round, students finalize and earn their Ontario secondary school credits at the end of June rather than the end of a semester.
They are evaluated and graded solely against Ontario provincial standards. Their report card reflects high school-level expectations, meaning their grades are protected.
Core Skill Accumulation
The primary goal of the junior I-STEM years is the development of future-ready design thinking with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.
Prototyping
Students learn to transform abstract thoughts into physical or digital models using the Engineering Design Process.
Entrepreneurship
Students learn to view their technical skills through a business and community lens.
Over these two years, pacing is flexible, allowing students to learn how to manage complex project timelines and work effectively in diverse teams, drastically reducing the academic shock of senior-level independent work.
The Seamless Transition
With a robust foundation built, students exit the junior phase ready to take command of their senior years and design solutions for tomorrow.
They transition seamlessly into Grade 11’s global innovation showcase via the AP Capstone Seminar course, an Ontario Interdisciplinary Studies course focusing 100% on project management and critical thinking.
By Grade 12, students utilize true student agency and leadership to choose one of three flexible graduation pathways, ensuring they preserve their vital post-secondary prerequisites while specializing in their passions.
Schools Offering I-STEM
Select a school below to visit the school's website and learn more about its I-STEM programming.
The Details: I-STEM — The Senior Years
In the senior grades, the program transitions from the junior de-semestered core into semesters with high-impact options.
AP Capstone Seminar
The Grade 11 experience centers on a shared journey through the AP Capstone Seminar course (IDC4UQ), serving as the ultimate stage for students to showcase and apply their project management and critical thinking skills.
While every student builds elite project management skills, challenging the official AP Capstone Seminar credential is a powerful, yet entirely optional choice for those looking to add a university-level designation to their academic transcript.
Choose Your Graduation Pathway
Grade 12 elevates student choice with three highly adaptable graduation pathways, ensuring students can preserve their specific post-secondary prerequisites while diving deep into their technical passions.
Students must complete one of the following routes:
The SHSM/OYAP Route
Complete a Specialist High Skills Major or Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
The AP Capstone Research Route
Complete an independent, university-level research course.
The Course Bundle Route
Complete any three Grade 12 STEM-focused courses in Science, Mathematics or Technological Studies.
Schools Offering I-STEM
Select a school below to visit the school's website and learn more about its I-STEM programming.
How to Apply
All students registered in the Grade 9 de-streamed pathway who are interested in I-STEM are encouraged to apply.
I-STEM is designed to be accessible and open to any secondary student who wishes to pursue STEM learning.
Submit an Application
Students interested in I-STEM complete the application process for entry into the program.
Applications and Capacity
All students who complete the application to the I-STEM program will be accepted, provided space is available.
If the number of complete applications exceeds the school's capacity, a randomized selection process will be used, including placement on the I-STEM waitlist if required.
Selection Process
We know that there is a shortage of females pursuing STEM fields in post-secondary. The panel will also look to ensure equitable representation with respect to gender.
This process is coordinated centrally by the Board rather than by individual schools.
