Ontario updates elementary school science curriculum
In September, students will be taught more hands-on skills
Ontario elementary students will be taught more hands-on science, technology and engineering skills starting in September as part of a new curriculum unveiled Tuesday.
There have been many advancements in science and technology since the curriculum was last updated in 2007, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said.
“Think about all the changes and emerging technologies we have seen, such as the development of smartphones, self-driving vehicles and other forms of artificial intelligence,” he said at a news conference. “As the economy changes, so must our curriculum to ensure students are learning the skills they need to help them gain access to good-paying jobs, to ensure they have a competitive advantage upon their graduation here in Ontario.”
The new curriculum will take effect in September, and there will also be a new, destreamed Grade 9 science course that includes exploring careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and related skilled trades.
Officials say new STEM learning will include Grade 6 students designing and testing devices such as flying machines, and Grade 8 students designing a system that replicates a conveyor belt.
As well, students starting in Grade 1 will apply coding — which was recently added to the elementary math curriculum — and learn about environmental protection, a new section in which students will consider solutions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The new curriculum also updates existing sections such as life systems, matter and energy, structures and mechanisms, and Earth and space systems.
Officials say130 expectations were removed from the curriculum to make room for the new material, but they say doing so eliminates redundancies in the previous curriculum and that no important learning is being lost.
Teachers will have a professional activity day next school year specifically focused on STEM learning, officials said.