
About this Course
STEAM Engine is a weekly online program that engages middle school (grades 5 – 8) students in STEM, right from the comfort of their home! In this program, we take students on an exciting journey into STEAM concepts with a focus on digital literacy skills such as computer programming (coding), 3D modeling and graphic design to complete exciting hands-on projects in a fun and engaging environment.
In STEAM Engine Transition learners continue their journey from Beginner and take things to a new level: transitioning into script coding.
A fundamental leap for any young person is conceptually understanding how blocks of code translate to actual script coding. In this course, students will learn more advanced block coding techniques and then see how blocks of code translate into script. Students will take a journey across our Solar System and develop animations and games using block coding methods as well as script coding languages. This course will help learners become more comfortable with script coding to become ready for STEAM Engine FLIGHT.
More Information
This program is funded by the Hamilton Community Foundation and General Motors Canada at various schools across Hamilton, in which the program fee is subsidized. Check your school’s eligibility by clicking on the Check Eligibility button below.
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FAQ
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Who can sign up for STEAM Engine?
Anyone in grades 5 to 8 can sign up for STEAM Engine.
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When does it take place?
Afterschool! Click on the IGNITION, LIFT OFF and FLIGHT courses above to find out when they take place!
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How do I know which level to join?
STEAM Engine BEGINNER is best for students who do not have experience with the program topics and have not participated in the STEAM Engine program previously.
STEAM Engine TRANSITION is best for students who want to get some more hands-on practice into more advanced block coding, and slowly make their transition into script coding in Python.
STEAM Engine INTERMEDIATE is best for students who have become comfortable with block coding and are ready to take on the challenge of writing their code to create apps and games in Python!
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What topics can I expect to learn?
We will cover topics related to space, Earth, Mars, coding, 3D modeling, graphic design and more!
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How do I sign up?
Click on the course of your choice above and then click Register. Complete the Registration process. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete!
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What happens after I register?
You will receive an email from our team containing a Google Classroom class code. Add the class to your Google Classroom - inside the classroom you will find the weekly link to the sessions and all other content (slides, assignments, games, etc.).
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Is there a fee to register?
The cost of participating is $125.00 CAD for 10 weeks, meaning $12.50 per week!
This program is funded by the Hamilton Community Foundation and General Motors Canada at various schools across Hamilton in which the program fee is subsidized.
To check if your school is eligible, use the form below!
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Where do the sessions take place?
The sessions take place virtually on a platform called BlueJeans. All you have to do is download the program once (for free) and use the same link to join the session each week!
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I’ve got questions, what do I do?
#Testimonial What Students Say
This was my child's second experience with a STEAM Engine program, with the first having been an in-person, after school program. We weren't sure what to expect from a virtual, online program, but could not be more pleased with the overall offering! The content, instructors and programs used were all excellent - would highly recommend, and thanks to all involved for providing such a great experience! o
Parent of STEAM Engine Participant, 2020
This program was great for me. It taught me a lot of things I did not know about Python and graphic design and I loved doing the assignments and hand-on projects. o
STEAM Engine Participant, 2021
It was an amazing experience, I loved everything about the sessions, I learned a bunch of new things. If I were to look back to my old life, I would probably myself be idle on my tablets playing games, life passing by, opportunities being missed. In general uselessness. I'm thankful to my teacher for helping me find this program. It was a wonderful time here. Hope to be in the advanced class next year. o
STEAM Engine Participant, 2021
I completed the Mathstronauts STEAM Engine Beginner program. It was very fun and I learned a lot of new things. I learned different things on different platforms, such as TinkerCAD, Canva, and Scratch. This was a good way to spend free time for two hours every Tuesday learning coding. At first I didn’t know much about Scratch, but now I know how to use it and I can make all sorts of things using the skills I have learned in this course!! o
Elizabeth Mathi
STEAM Engine ParticipantI learned how to create 3D designs in TinkerCad, backgrounds in Canva and coding a mars animation in scratch (my favourite part!). Everything was awesome and I had a great experience! I used different “stack blocks” to create my mars animation and used different backgrounds and sprites. o
Danya Qureshi
STEAM Engine ParticipantI learned how to produce 3D models in FreeCAD by constructing the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. I also acquired knowledge on how to code basics in Python and design a fully functional weather app using API’s. My favourite part about this program was constructing the complete weather app in Python. There is not a thing I would change about this incredible course! o