STEM IA High School
Our high school programming is structured to meet the high standards of Alberta’s curriculum while allowing students flexibility to explore unique and innovative STEM courses. Our program prepares students for post-secondary studies through our exemplary programming and teaching, and helps students make informed choices about their education path beyond grade 12.
There are three components to our course offerings:
These courses are supported by Alberta’s first MIT Fab Lab – a digital fabrication facility providing formal links to 1750 labs in over 100 countries.
Alberta Curriculum
We follow Alberta Education’s Programs of Studies for all our core courses. We have high academic standards for all of our courses, and believe a well-rounded education is important for all students.
In addition to our complementary courses, below are the core courses available:
*Course availability is subject to minimum enrollment
The Honours Academies at STEM IA provide next level learning opportunities for self-motivated students interested in research, academic challenge and deep scholarship.
Students in these courses have the opportunity to go beyond the confines of the Alberta Program of Studies, exploring specific STEM topics in greater depth through the lens of technological applications. Reflecting STEM IA’s commitment to keeping pace with technological advancements in our programming, our course curricula will be developed and continuously reevaluated by advisory boards from Canadian post-secondary institutions and professionals in relevant STEM disciplines.
The preliminary Honours Academies are described below. Course offerings may change in response to student needs and interests.
Ideal for students passionate about the language of mathematics and its broad and deep applications to the entirety of STEM, this intensive course covers subject matter in greater depth, requiring more sophisticated problem-solving. The course offers students a comprehensive treatment of the demanding calculus concepts covered in Math 30-1 and Math 31, while also introducing an array of concepts and techniques essential in engineering, the experimental sciences and the social sciences. The material is presented with a dual purpose: to equip students with the necessary knowledge to explore STEM disciplines in post-secondary, while also celebrating mathematics as a deep and rewarding subject in and of itself.
Students also explore other advanced topics, including probability, statistics, methods in data analysis and linear algebra. Students will be prepared to take the diploma exam in January and continue to explore calculus and other topics in the second semester.
An advisory board consisting of mathematicians and statisticians will play an active role in course curriculum and delivery, with both the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta represented on the committee
At STEM Innovation Academy, complementary courses are organized and delivered in strands. Within each strand, courses build the knowledge and skills of that discipline in partnership with industry and post-secondary experts . Courses provide a scope and sequence of learning experiences that build foundational STEM skills, while using the design process to create innovative solutions to unique problems.
Students will choose courses from the different strands to develop a diverse set of knowledge, skills and experiences while developing and practicing interpersonal skills integral to success in the ever-evolving workforce.
Grade 10:
Ever wondered what it would be like to build a modern arcade game? In this hands-on course, students work individually and collaboratively to design and develop an interactive digital game experience. Students will learn about fundamental game design principles and methodologies as they iterate from idea to final product. Games will incorporate digital storytelling and a range of assets, including graphics and sounds; students will also write code to control events and behaviors within the game. In addition to programming, the course will build both technical and creative skills as students solve problems, craft content and create a prototype using a variety of technologies, including sensors, 3D printing, laser cutting and 3D modeling (TinkerCAD and Fusion360).
Grade 10-12:
Students will explore leading-edge technologies and disruptive innovations. These unique sessions are delivered by industry experts and post-secondary guest speakers. Students will deepen their understanding of STEM fields and consider the potential economic, social, political and ethical impacts of these developments. Potential topics include: artificial intelligence and machine learning, medical technologies, cleantech, blockchain, building systems, agriculture technologies, and quantum computing.
All Grades:
The STEM Pathways Capstone project is a core feature threaded throughout the three-year STEM IA high school curriculum. This unique independent project, which also may include an industry internship, is an opportunity for all students to take a deep dive into a topic of their choice through a variety of experiential and research activities.
Each student is required to undertake a rigorous and meaningful research or design project in an area of personal interest, whereby they design and develop a tangible solution to a real-world problem. Students may work individually or as a group. Students should be prepared to set expansive goals, demonstrate independent learning, and manage complex and challenging tasks. Capstone projects are interdisciplinary in nature, calling on students to analyze, synthesize and harmonize links between STEM disciplines. Over the course of their high school career, students cultivate a network of mentors and experts who help navigate the design process from inception to showcase. Students may complete this course in grade 11 or 12.
Courses in the Engineering and Design strand focus on utilizing the design process to create innovative solutions to real-world problems. Students learn a variety of hands-on and digital skills and gain valuable prototyping and fabrication experience in our MIT Fab Lab, which connects students to their global peers via a network of 1750 labs in over 100 countries.
Selected Topics in Engineering and Design
Students will build on the knowledge and skills they gained in Grade 10, choosing from a variety of complementary courses in the Engineering and Design strand. Students will continue to develop their rapid prototyping skills by accessing the digital fabrication equipment in our Fab Lab. Course offerings will vary from year to year, with topics including:
In today’s digital age, computational thinking is an essential skill. It is a systematic approach to solving complex problems by breaking them down into a series of distinct steps. Solutions are presented in a form that can be effectively carried out by people or computers. Courses in the Computational Thinking strand involve students undertaking hands-on learning in computer programming and electronics to create ‘smart’ design solutions.
Programming Our Physical and Digital Worlds 10
From wearable technologies to smart homes, digital technology is ubiquitous in our daily lives and in the world around us. Throughout the course, they will learn the basics of algorithmic thinking and learn about variables, functions, conditional statements and loops as they design and code their own programming projects with Arduino microcontrollers and Raspberry Pi microcomputers.
Robotics: Automate Your World 10
Students learn to design and build robots, to program autonomous behaviors, and to use sensors to improve the robot’s ability to navigate and interact with its environment. The course covers both technical and practical skills, providing hands-on experience with programming logic and the essentials of designing and building a robust robot. In addition to working with the VEX V5 robotics platform, students will also learn the basics of electro assembly through construction of their own electronic devices and robotic applications. In the final module, students will use robotics to create a unique final product that automates an aspect of their own lives or the lives of others in their community.
Programming Our Physical and Digital Worlds 20/30
More than a typical computer science course, here students continue to build their technical skills in the higher-level computing courses, increasing their fluency in object-oriented programming and gaining a fuller understanding of the differences between languages. These more advanced courses offer students the opportunity to apply software engineering principles and will cover more advanced data structures (e.g., lists, stacks, queues, trees) along with efficiency and complexity algorithms for searching and sorting. Students will also utilize professional software development tools and methodologies – such as APIs, libraries, IDEs and collaboration tools – in their own projects. In addition to programming, students will explore additional topics in computer science, learning about embedded computing systems, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and the societal impacts of technological change.
Robotics: Automate Your World 20/30
The higher-level robotics courses integrate the concepts of automation, robotics, electronics, and computer programming, requiring students to tackle increasingly complex challenges that require design and programming ingenuity. Students expand their understanding of higher-level spatial awareness and control algorithms and work with a variety of sensors, including gyroscopes and vision sensors. They also gain exposure to robotics in manufacturing applications, including how process control impacts quality and efficiency. Students also investigate the convergence of robotics with other technology areas, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality. As students progress through the course pathway, they are expected to complete more advanced projects with greater autonomy.
Innovative ideas are spread by creative, effective, and engaging communication. Courses in the Media strand leverage digital technologies and the art of communication to connect with authentic audiences using persuasive storytelling.
Digital Design 10: Business and Marketing
Being an entrepreneur involves more than just a good idea. To be successful, an enterprise must reach potential customers and tell a compelling story about the product or service. Through both classroom learning and hands-on projects, students learn about the key communication components that support effective marketing efforts, including principles of design and visual communication, branding, messaging, infographics, search engine optimization, social media and multimedia storytelling. Students will apply their knowledge to on-campus initiatives, creating marketing strategies, crafting content and measuring results.
Digital Arts Communications
This is a course suitable for all students – not just artists! Through the creation of digital artifacts, students establish their creative confidence while also developing the foundational technical literacy required to produce more sophisticated work in a variety of mediums. In this studio-based course students will learn how to use professional design, web and multimedia tools to bring their ideas to life while focusing on the fundamentals of color, composition and style. Students will also develop a professional online portfolio of their work.
Digital Arts Communications
Students will build on the knowledge and skills they gained in Grade 10, choosing from a variety of complementary courses in the Media strand. Students will continue to develop their digital communication skills through focused, industry standard programs and practices. Course offerings will vary from year to year, with topics including:
Building on foundational knowledge and skills established in both core and complementary courses, students will explore and understand transformative and emerging technologies.
Technology Applications in Business
Technology is the future of every business! Learn about how technologies are changing business and explore the future impact of major technologies.
Possible topics include Advanced Manufacturing, Fintech, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Artificial Intelligence applications, Intellectual Property (Legal) Foundations, and case studies in Entrepreneurship.
Technology Applications in Health
“Medical technology can be defined as the application of science to develop solutions to health problems or issues such as the prevention or delay of onset of diseases or the promotion and monitoring of good health.” The New Public Health (third edition), 2014
There are important developments taking place that will enhance our approach to health. Possible topics include nanomedicine, biotechnology, applications of robotics, AR and VR in healthcare, genetic technologies, wearable tech for wellness, and using technology to monitor health.
Technology is the future of every business. Understanding key technologies, their applications and the potential transformative nature of new developments is critical for students moving forward.
Are you more interested in real world applications of Artificial Intelligence than algorithms? Would you like to understand how entrepreneurial thinking impacts technology adaptation?
Our program allows students to explore a wide variety of important technologies and their applications. This knowledge helps students make informed decisions about the opportunities around them and their path beyond grade 12.
Digital Design 10: Business and Marketing
Being an entrepreneur involves more than just a good idea. To be successful, an enterprise must reach potential customers and tell a compelling story about the product or service. Through both classroom learning and hands-on projects, students learn about the key communication components that support effective marketing efforts, including principles of design and visual communication, branding, messaging, infographics, search engine optimization, social media and multimedia storytelling. Students will apply their knowledge to on-campus initiatives, creating marketing strategies, crafting content and measuring results.
Technology Applications in Business
Technology is the future of every business! Learn about how technologies are changing business and explore the future impact of major technologies.
Possible topics include Advanced Manufacturing, Fintech, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Artificial Intelligence applications, Intellectual Property (Legal) Foundations, and case studies in Entrepreneurship.
STEM Innovation Academy is a free public charter school for grades 7-12 in Calgary that offers an innovative educational program with a special focus on hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning. Charter schools have the same accountability as other public school boards, adhere to the Alberta Program of Studies, do not charge tuition, employ certificated teachers and are open to all students.
© 2022 STEM Innovation Academy. All rights reserved.
Junior High
1204 – 96 Avenue SW
Calgary AB, T2V 0Y1
Office Hours
Monday to Thursday 8am – 4pm
Friday 8am – 3pm
High School
Unit 150, 3553 31 St. NW
Calgary, AB T2L 2K7
Office Hours
Monday to Thursday 8am – 4pm
Friday 8am – 3pm
© 2022 Stem Innovation Academy. All rights reserved.
