The Faculty of Engineering Secondary School offers high school students the opportunity to take technological design and computer science courses while earning credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Who can take these courses?

Courses are open to students in Grades 8 to 12 and are offered in English only

Any Grade 8 students enrolling in a high school course will be taking it as a reach-ahead course; as such, a principal's written recommendation will be required prior to confirmation of enrolment.
 

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Discover the Faculty of Engineering Secondary School courses

Courses offered

Student using 3D modelling technology

Exploring Technological Design (TDJ1O)

This four-week long course introduces students to concepts and skills related to technological design, involving solutions to design challenges and fabrication of prototypes of those solutions. Students will develop an awareness of related environmental and social issues, and begin to explore secondary and postsecondary pathways leading to careers in the field. The course curriculum focuses on the engineering design process, which is taught through hand sketching, 3D drawings and 3D modelling. 

This is an open course designed for all high school students. Students in Grade 8 can enrol as a reach-ahead course with approval from their parents and written support from their principal. Those who pass the course receive a full credit toward their secondary school diploma.

All students will gain hands-on design skills right at the Faculty of Engineering. 

Course outline available soon.

Teenager wearing Virtual Reality headset

Technological Design (TDJ2O)

Technological Design – TDJ2O is a course that provides students with a better understanding of the engineering design process through projects done with microcomputers and virtual reality. Students will have the opportunity to learn about micro:bit microcomputers, use multiple sensors and develop their coding skills to solve common problems. They will also explore, create and program a virtual world using CoSpaces. At the end of the course, students will take part in an engineering design challenge by creating a virtual world that solves a defined problem.

The course is offered in two parts. Students can take only Part 1 or Part 2 if they wish. However, students must complete both parts to earn a high school credit. Each part can be done independently, so you can start with Part 2 without having completed Part 1.

Students in Grade 8 can enrol in this reach-ahead course with their parents’ approval and their principal’s written support.

Course outline (winter 2024) — TDJ2O (PDF, 400 KB)

A person scrolling on a tablet.

Digital Technology and Innovations in the Changing World (ICD2O)

Be part of the change and gain a high school credit at the same time!

In this course, students write simple computer programs by applying fundamental programming concepts and learn to create clear and maintainable internal documentation. They also learn to manage a computer by studying hardware configurations, software selection, operating system functions, networking and safe computing. They also study the social impact of computer technologies and develop an understanding of environmental and ethical issues related to computers.

Students will use the skills acquired in this course to build a business plan and mobile app that will address a community problem.

Students in Grade 8 can enrol in this reach-ahead course with their parents’ approval and their principal’s written support.

Course outline (winter 2024) — ICD2O (Technovation) (PDF, 780 KB)

Two teenagers learning computer programming

WebDev Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science (ICS3U)

WebDev Bootcamp: Introduction to Computer Science provides students with an immersive experience in the world of computer science, exploring the basics of software development through a variety of programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students learn through a variety of hands-on activities, including virtual computer dissection and website application design (for example, creating an online game and online store). Course learning is complemented with talks by speakers from leading Ottawa tech companies, where students will meet industry professionals. 

Although this course has no prerequisites, it helps to have taken Creative Computing: Introduction to Computer Studies - ICD2O (or to have some coding background).

Course outline available soon.

Two students learning about physics

Physics, Grade 11 (SPH3U)

This course develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts of physics in a very hands-on way. Through a variety of projects and experiments, they will explore kinematics, forces and energy transformations, the properties of mechanical waves and sound, and electricity and magnetism. They will enhance their scientific investigation skills as they test laws of physics. In addition, they will use multiple technologies throughout the course, such as 3D modeling software and 3D printers to analyze the interrelationships between physics and technology. 

Prerequisite: Science, Grade 10

Course schedule and details

Registration details

Required documentation 

When registering for courses, students will need to provide the following information/documentation:

  • their student or personal email address
  • their legal status in Canada: Canadian citizen, permanent resident, temporary resident or visitor
  • proof of age (copy of birth certificate)
  • proof of grade and school (copy of recent report card)
  • for Grade 8 students exceptionally: a completed letter (PDF, 167 KB), signed by their parent/guardian and current principal, approving their enrolment in a reach-ahead course
  • their Individual Education Plan (IEP), if they have one.

School policies and procedures

Please refer to the school course calendar for all policies and procedures.

Note: Following a 2023 inspection, the Faculty of Engineering Secondary School received credit-granting authority from the Ministry of Education. The school has been assigned a BSID number by the Ministry and is listed as a private school on the Ministry website.

Course cancellation and refund policy

Course registrations may be cancelled and refunded up to two weeks prior to the start date of the registered course. However, a $30 administrative fee will be charged for every refund. For cancellations happening less than two weeks prior to the start date, up to the second day of the course, a refund of 50% will be given, less an $30 administrative fee. No refunds will be offered for cancellations made after the first two days of the course. 

Questions?

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