TDSB to Offer Summer STEM Camps for Underrepresented Youth

A new initiative will give students from diverse communities free access to science and tech programming during school break.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has announced a new series of summer STEM camps aimed at increasing access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education for underrepresented youth. The initiative will run in July and August across multiple campuses, with programming tailored to students from marginalized communities.

Funded through a partnership between TDSB and the federal CanCode initiative, the camps will be offered at no cost to participants and will focus on hands-on learning experiences. Students will have opportunities to build robots, experiment with coding languages, and explore real-world applications of math and science through interactive projects.

Organizers say the program was created in response to longstanding gaps in STEM participation among racialized, Indigenous, and low-income students. 'We want every young person in Toronto to see themselves in the future of science and technology,' said Maria Espinosa, a TDSB equity officer overseeing the initiative.

Instructors for the camps include certified teachers, community mentors, and industry professionals who have volunteered to lead sessions on topics ranging from aerospace design to environmental engineering. The program also includes guest talks from local innovators and university researchers to inspire students with real-life success stories.

One key feature of the program is its focus on cultural inclusivity and trauma-informed teaching. Workshops have been designed with input from youth advocacy organizations to ensure that learning environments are supportive, respectful, and accessible to students with diverse needs and backgrounds.

Parents and community leaders have responded positively to the announcement. 'Programs like this can truly change the trajectory of a child's life,' said Simone Grant, whose son has already registered. 'It opens up doors they might not even know existed.'

Applications for the camps opened last week and are being processed on a rolling basis. TDSB encourages families to apply early, as demand is expected to exceed available slots. More information is available through the board’s STEM and Equity offices and online registration portal.