Welcome to Blakelock I-STEM!

Written by: Madeleine Homer, Avika Gupta, Amrutha Kosuri, Emma Homer

Editor: Madeleine Homer

Photos: TA Blakelock Website

I-STEM, which stands for innovation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, is a new program at T.A. Blakelock that focuses on experiential learning, collaboration, and creativity. In Grade 9, the program specifically focuses on the skills required for engineering. This approach to learning means hands-on work and very few tests. 

The I-STEM students this year are divided into four cohorts: red, blue, green and yellow. While moving through classes, they stay with their cohort, and mix during large projects. This allows students to meet all I-STEM students and get experience by working with all kinds of people. 

This year, the students have Technology with Mr. Rochus, Geography with Ms. Kusiak, Math with Mr. Murray, and Science with Ms. D’Alesio. 

When asked how they would describe I-STEM in one sentence, Ms. Kuaisk said, “[I-STEM is] Exciting, innovative, and the way education should be going in for all classes.” Mr. Murray added on, “You know I-STEM is doing school different,” followed by Mr. Rochus: “I-STEM I would say is a very holistic approach to education.” Last but not least, Ms. D’Alesio explained, “If I had to describe I-STEM in one sentence, I would say that it is active, engaging and not traditional; focusing on projects and making our own connections.”

On September 15, the I-STEM students went on a field trip to Sheridan College and worked with Joel Lopata, professor of psychology and creativity at Sheridan. They participated in a photo walk and learnt about the importance of brainstorming.

The students have recently finished a rocket project focusing on prototyping. They started by experimenting with different nose cones and fin sizes on bottle rockets to determine the best combination of the two parts. After launching the first round of bottle rockets, each group combined with a group from another cohort and created a new bottle rocket. In the final phase of the project, the students constructed combustion rockets, which, on average, launched 87 ft into the air.

Overall, I-STEM has been an incredible addition to the community at TAB, and everyone is ecstatic to welcome this novel and state of the art program to the school. The future looks bright for our ‘27 I-STEM grads!