The expansion of STEM programming – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – into the elementary school curriculum is important for the futures of students in the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board.
Tina Elliott, Superintendent of Education, Curriculum Services says as part of the board’s Strategic Plan, STEM education has been introduced to all Grade 7/8 schools.
Audio Player
“It’s difficult to choose a pathway and to choose a path in learning if you don’t have exposure to that in multiple different ways over many years. And so we want to engage our students early on. That helps significantly to move forward that passion and engagement and interest in that work.”
Tinneke Wilson, Learning Partner in Math and STEM, says the ability to explore without inhibition starts at a young age.
Audio Player
“That ability to try new things to create things, to build things, to solve problems. And building that confidence in students requires that hands-on approach allowing them to have an open-ended problem and think what can I do with these tools, with these resources to solve it.”
Elliott says providing students with opportunities is important because many won’t know what they’re passionate about if they don’t have the chance to have different experiences.
A report on the success of HPEDSB’s expanded STEM learning network shows 100 per cent of students surveyed enjoyed STEM learning with 75 per cent expressing an interest in STEM careers.
Fifty-seven grade 7/8 students participated in the 2025 Minds in Motion STEM Challenge which featured competitions in three challenges: electric vehicle engineering, hydraulic removal system and robotic arm design.
Eighty-five per cent of teachers involved in the program reported increased confidence in students.
Elliott adds the early introduction to STEM is also important for providing female students and those who may identify differently that they have a place to contribute in any field.
Audio Player
“But if you don’t expose them to these learning opportunities, then sometimes stereotypes, inhibitions will carry too much weight and keep them from participating. And so really it is about letting them know that whatever they’re passionate about, they have that opportunity.”
With many STEM-based careers like skilled trades also seeing a shortage of workers, Elliott says it’s essential they provide opportunities for students to enter those career pathways.
Audio Player
“They are well paid. They’re in high demand. Ideally that will be exactly what we see come from this shift and focus on STEM and having different pathways being valued equally. Post secondary isn’t the route for all students. The Youth Apprenticeship Program or co-ops, all of those are just exemplary opportunities for students to dabble in skilled trades to have opportunities to see what it can bring to them and really thrive if that’s what they love to do.”
Wilson says parents can help by opening their minds to the value of STEM education and what it can lead to.
Audio Player
“I think in the past there have been stigmas against some of these, sort of, skilled trades. And we do need them and they are valuable. I think we need to connect it to the development of strong mathematical skills, strong science process skills, the engineering design process.”
Wilson notes they’ve created some valuable partnerships in the community with Loyalist College, the Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation, local skilled trade professions and others to promote the importance of STEM learning.
Further investments in the program are planned for 2025–2026 including finalizing and implementing a K–12 Coding and Robotics Continuum that has been in the works, along with more integration of STEM learning in Grades 7–9 through curriculum-aligned design tasks.
