An updated science curriculum is coming to Ontario public schools.
Starting in September, new updated STEM focused learning will be taught to students from grade one through to grade eight and into grade nine.
Some of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) courses will teach learning about artificial intelligence, skilled trades as well as financial and food literacy.
A first for Canada is that Ontario students will be required to learn to code, with opportunities to program a small robot by grade three.
The Ministry of Education provided a list of items that will be focused on in the coming school year;
- Coding: mandatory learning on coding from Grades 1 to 9
- Connecting STEM Learning: connecting science, technology, engineering and mathematics to real-world issues
- Emerging technology: the rise and application of advanced research, robotics and the development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The impact and application of AI in their daily lives, including facial recognition, autonomous vehicles, drones and search engines
- Skilled trades: mandatory learning from Grades 4 to 9 on the relationship between how advancements in science and emerging technologies are enhancing the skilled trades and providing exciting career opportunities
- Food literacy: learning related to food literacy in every grade that empowers students to make decisions that affect physical and mental health, consider local food production, and the scientific processes involved in agriculture
More details of the new curriculum can be read here.