GM Canada and UOIT launch c_Wonder to engage students in STEM.
The c_Wonder mobile design lab was launched at Lakewoods PS on November 6. GM Canada and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) partnered to create the mobile lab in the MakersTruck. The truck contains the necessary materials for children to learn, explore, and have fun with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
Principal Paul Haines said that this was a great opportunity for the Grade 7 and 8 students to be innovative and Ignite Learning.
“You are the lucky students who are the first to see the c_Wonder mobile design lab,” he explained. “This is the type of 21st century learning experience that we value at Durham District School Board.”
Associate Director of Education Mark Fisher explained that the Durham District School Board began its journey to introduce a STEM plan to students four years ago. He added that, “We believe that communication, collaboration, digital literacy, and critical thinking will help prepare students like you for success.”
STEM’s Impact
Travis Hester, the President and Managing Director of GM Canada, spoke to the group and gave everyone an idea of what to expect to see from GM in the future.
“It’s a very exciting time as engineers and scientists, we are absolutely re-inventing mobility. It means we are developing technology that will literally change the way we move around in the future,” says Hester. “GM is manufacturing cars with no steering wheel, no brake pedal, no accelerator pedal – completely autonomous and we are manufacturing them today for deployment next year in 2019. So, it’s not the distant future, it’s happening right now.”
Dr. Tarlochan Sidhu, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, explained that when they started to think about this joint project, they knew that their goal was to expose students from kindergarten to Grade 12 to STEM in the Durham Region. It’s exciting for him to finally launch the c_Wonder project.
“It gives students an opportunity to start thinking about design, open-ended problems and solutions, and build prototypes and test them,” expressed Sindu. “The real aim is to create curiosity in science and engineering.”
After the presentations, the Grade 7 and 8 class worked on an interactive project led by the UOIT team with materials from the c_Wonder lab. At this time, students saw the true “wonder” of STEM, as their ideas come to life.
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