Science Club (Ages 6-14)
Tuesdays: January 19 to February 23, 2027 ( 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
Snow Makeup Day: March 2, 2027 ( only if necessary)
Description:
Embark on a journey of exploration and discovery with Science Club! This program fosters curiosity and group collaboration through hands-on experiments designed to build habits of observation, measurement, and critical thinking. Participants will work alongside instructors to conduct engaging science-based experiments in a supportive and interactive environment.
What You Will Learn:
- Strengthen problem-solving skills by making observations, taking measurements, and identifying properties during experiments.
- Develop collaboration and communication skills by working with peers and following instructions to complete scientific activities.
- Build independence and confidence by conducting hands-on experiments and exploring scientific concepts creatively.
Goals:
- Promote skill development in problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective communication.
- Foster teamwork, collaboration, and active participation in group activities.
- Encourage initiative, independence, and curiosity in applying scientific principles to real-world scenarios.
Junior Robotics Program (Ages 6-10)
Wednesdays: January 20 to February 24, 2027 ( 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm)
Snow Makeup Day: March 3, 2027
Description:
Designed for learning and engineered for fun! This program uses LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential kits to introduce learners to the world of robotics and STEAM education. Through hands-on play and exploration, participants will solve relatable problems using minifigures, motors, sensors, and block-based coding, promoting creativity and social-emotional development.
What You Will Learn:
- Strengthen problem-solving skills by using minifigures with diverse personalities to explore relatable challenges.
- Develop coding skills through icon- and word-based block programming.
- Use tools such as a two-port Hub, motors, a light matrix, and a color sensor to design and bring innovative ideas to life.
Goals:
- Promote skill development in problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking through interactive and hands-on robotics activities.
- Foster collaboration and communication by encouraging teamwork and peer interaction during group challenges.
- Enhance independence and life skills by empowering participants to take ownership of their projects and explore solutions independently.
- Build foundational literacy, math, and social-emotional skills in an inclusive and engaging environment.
Coding 101 (Ages 9-14)
Thursdays: January 21 to February 25, 2027 (Virtual Program) ( 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
Description:
Learn the fundamentals of programming with Scratch! This virtual program introduces children to coding through interactive media such as stories, games, and animations. Participants will create their own two-dimensional game from start to finish while developing critical thinking, planning, and problem-solving skills.
What You Will Learn:
- Strengthen problem-solving skills by building a complete two-dimensional game using Scratch.
- Develop creativity and technical proficiency by customizing characters, creating animations, and designing backgrounds.
- Enhance communication and collaboration by adding special effects, sound, and interactive elements to share creations with peers.
Goals:
- Foster creativity, critical thinking, and systematic problem-solving through engaging coding activities.
- Build foundational planning, organizational, and attention-to-detail skills by completing structured projects.
- Promote collaboration and communication by encouraging participants to share their creations and interact within the Scratch coding community.
- Develop independence and self-confidence by empowering participants to bring their unique ideas to life through programming.
Intermediate Robotics Program (Ages 10-14)
Sundays: January 17 to February 28, 2027 ( 10:00 am - 12:00 pm) No class February 14, 2027
Snow Makeup Day: March 7, 2027
Description:
Dive into the exciting world of advanced robotics with LEGO® Spike Prime kits! This program combines bright colors, intuitive tools, and engaging challenges to inspire learners to build robots and solve real-world engineering problems. Participants will explore block-based programming and collaborate on thrilling challenges like Maze Runner, Mars Rover, SumoBots, and Music Maker.
What You Will Learn:
- Strengthen technical and problem-solving skills by building advanced robots using Scratch-based programming.
- Develop creativity and innovation by solving real-world engineering challenges using an easy-to-use app.
- Enhance social skills and teamwork by collaborating with partners to complete exciting group challenges.
Goals:
- Build advanced robotics and programming skills, preparing participants for more complex STEAM learning.
- Foster teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication in group-based projects.
- Develop independence and critical thinking by empowering participants to troubleshoot and optimize their robotic designs.
- Connect robotics challenges to real-world applications, helping participants explore how technology can solve everyday problems.
ABA Group Therapy and Robotics (Ages 9-14) January 17 to February 28, 2027 ( 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.) No class February 14, 2027, Snow Makeup Day: March 7, 2027
Program Cost: $1,350.00
ABA using a Robotics Theme is a small-group, goal-focused program that uses robotics as a fun and engaging way to support the development of functional skills through Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
Participants will take part in structured, therapist-guided learning activities designed to teach, practise, generalize, and reinforce meaningful skills, including:
- Planning, sequencing, and completing multi-step tasks and instructions.
- Problem solving and flexible thinking, especially when outcomes do not match expectations.
- Functional communication, such as asking for help, requesting breaks, sharing ideas, and responding to peers.
- Sustained attention, goal-directed persistence, and task completion during builds.
- Social skills, including contextual communication in different situations and perspective taking.
Each participant works toward individualized goals across ten key domains: communication, social interaction, play and leisure, activities of daily living, motor skills, cognitive skills, sensory processing, interfering behaviours, mental health, and adaptability and resilience. Goals are developed in collaboration with the family and a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA). The RBA provides clinical oversight, ensures goals are appropriate and measurable, and guides the instructional strategies used during robotics activities. Sessions are delivered by trained robotics staff in a structured, predictable environment that supports learning and engagement.
This program may be a good fit for children who enjoy hands-on learning, benefit from visual supports and routines, and can participate in a group setting while working toward functional, real-world skills.
Prerequisite Skills
To participate safely and meaningfully in this group-based ABA program, participants should demonstrate the following readiness skills:
- Ability to remain with a small group and engage in a structured activity for at least 20 minutes.
- Ability to follow simple, structured instructions, with visual or verbal prompts.
- Emerging ability to wait, take turns, and transition between activities within a group.
- Ability to engage safely with small parts, shared materials, and electronic components.
These skills help support safety, learning, and participation in a collaborative robotics environment.
This Program May Not Be Suitable For
This program may not be appropriate for participants who:
- Engage in ongoing physical aggression, self-injury, or property destruction that cannot be safely supported within a group setting.
- Require continuous 1:1 behavioural intervention beyond what can be provided in a small-group program.
- Are unable to tolerate a structured learning environment, even with visual support and prompting.
- Are unable to engage safely with robotics materials or shared equipment.
Participants who require more intensive or individualized behavioural support may be better supported through 1:1 therapy services or behavioural consultation services.
Cancellation Policy for ABA Group Therapy Program:
Missed Group Programming
Group services are offered as a scheduled, time-limited program series. Fees, payment arrangements, and the attendance policy will be reviewed and agreed upon before prior to the start of services begin..
If your child is unable to attend all or part of a scheduled group session, their OAP invoice or /receipt will reflect only the eligible services delivered to or on behalf of your child., Missed or cancelled programming time is not an eligible OAP expense and cannot be submitted to the Ontario Autism Program for reimbursement.
Because of the group-based nature of the program, missed programming time will not be rescheduled, made up, or banked for future services. Where registration is for a prepaid, specified group series, fees associated with unused portions of the group program are non-refundable, as agreed to at the time of registration. Any amount associated with missed or cancelled programming that is not eligible under OAP funding remains the responsibility of the family and must not be submitted as an OAP expense.
