Kawartha Lakes, ON – With the second year of STEAM School complete, it’s hard to say which grew more: the learners or the program itself.
Ampere’s STEAM School started in 2024, offering youth ages 9 to 12 an opportunity for learners to dive deeper into STEAM, explore their interests, power-up their passions and make new connections in the Kawartha Lakes community. The program offers the latest technology, expert guest speakers and unique learning experiences, while providing a welcoming environment where students intrigued by science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) can flourish.
Between the 2024/2025 school year and the 2025/2026 school year that concluded this past June, STEAM School saw some impressive, intriguing developments.
“The growth we saw was immense. We went from having four recurring learners last year to 12 with a waitlist this year,” says Melissa Jegeris, who has been leading STEAM School since its inception. “We also opened up the opportunity for some of our younger community members to join us for STEAM school on Tuesdays. We had 6 students between the two groups that came for the entire year, and are already eager for next year’s opportunities!”
Jegeris notes, in addition to the influx in learners, the structure of the program also evolved, as STEAM School administrators learned from the success and opportunities for growth from the previous year.
For the 2025/2026 year, STEAM School started operating in sessions: two-month periods with a focus on each of the aspects of STEAM. This gave learners the chance to hone in on their favourite part of STEAM while also stepping out of their comfort zone in sessions centred around areas of study.
Witnessing the progress of those learners was a major highlight for Jegeris.
“My favourite part of STEAM school is the connections these learners have with one another,” the educator beams. “They all come from different schools and backgrounds but when they are in our space they act like they have known each other for years. They have all said that they feel comfortable to be themselves, they can be who they are without fear of judgement, and that STEAM School is a safe space for them. The community we have created is definitely my favourite part of STEAM School.”
Other highlights of the year, according to Jegeris, include the field trips to the pumpkin patch, the Kawartha Lakes Library, the Kawartha Art Gallery, the Kawartha Lakes Museum and Archives and the Riverview Park and Zoo.
About Ampere
For over a decade, Ampere (formerly the Pinnguaq Association) has partnered with rural, remote and Indigenous communities to provide access to science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) education and opportunities. Founded in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Ampere applies a Lifecycle approach to ensure that its supporting learners at every age, and every stage of life. Ampere offers programming directly through Makerspaces in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Bathurst, New Brunswick, and in the Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, and works directly with community partners, social organizations, governmental funders and educational institutions from coast to coast to coast.
