What are ​Program Enhancements?

Community connections are key for success in high school (Shumow, 2). Students have the opportunity to experience learning outside of the classroom, in order to enhance the curriculum program. Through close communication with classroom teachers, field trips and course enhancements are planned that benefit student engagement, and expand their experience of learning. In order for student voice to be heard in choosing experiences that will benefit them, IBT also has a student executive, that meets regularly to give feedback. As well, yearly surveys go out to parents to see which enhancements they feel will benefit their child the most.

IBT students at the Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment business forum

IBT students participating in team building activities
at the YMCA Cedar Glen leadership retreat

How does getting out of the regular classroom
​ benefit my child?

Education is constantly evolving, and "learning has shifted from the classroom to real-world settings" (Bonk, 20). Students have the opportunity to go deeper in their learning, by experiencing what they are learning about first hand, and interacting with the curriculum. Students tend to become more engaged, and feel more personally connected to the curriculum when they interact with the subject matter they are studying in class. Rather than just learning from textbooks, they can learn from experts in their field, through interactive labs, and by experiencing what they are learning about themselves. As they prepare to leave high school and move on to post-secondary, IBT's program enhancements can aid students in deciding what career path might interest them the most through experiencing a variety of industries and post-secondary institutions.

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Examples of ​​IBT Trips:

• First Robotics Competition & tour of University of Waterloo
• Microsoft PowerUp conference
• Science North trip (Science centre)
• International experiences - ie. Washington, DC, New York
• Business simulation experience at Humber college
• International Film festival (learning the technology behind film)
• Ripleys aquarium (dissection workshop for science)
• University of Guelph lab in Chemistry and Biology
• Robogeeks Militon (training workshops)
• Future Skills competition (technology courses)
• YMCA Cedar Glen leadership retreat
• Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment business forum
• Visit to York University business schools - Schulick & Osgoode
• Accounting contests (OBEA & CPA)
• DECA business competitions (Provincial, National and International)

Examples of ​Academic​ Enhancements.

• Solar Powered Cells
• Vex Robotics kits
• Advanced 3D printing
• Unique science dissections (sharks)
• Sustainable Gardening & Food Production labs
• Drone technology
• SAGE Accounting Software
• Optical Device Design
• LEAP MacMaster University Program
• Robotics lab

IBT students at the Microsoft 'PowerUp' conference.

Students participating in the First Robotics competition at the University of Waterloo.

IBT Students presenting at a Humber college
​business simulation experience

References:

Bonk, C. (2009). The world is open. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.proxy.library.upei.ca/lib/upei/reader.action?docID=10315636
Shumow, L. (2009). Promising practices for family and community involvement during high school. Charlotte, N.C.: Information Age Publishing.