Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Personal Development Program
The BANA and Da Costa Hall summer school programs have served more than 15,000 students, since its inception in 1968. Today, parents from all ethnicities seek our nurturing and culture-sensitive approach to the education of their children.
Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Personal Development Program
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy programs include personal financial management, budgeting, and investing. A strong foundation of financial literacy can help support various life goals, such as saving for education, using debt responsibly, and running a business.
Although there are many skills that might fall under the umbrella of financial literacy, we will explore popular subjects such as household budgeting, learning how to manage and pay off debts, and evaluating the tradeoffs between different credit and investment products. These skills require at least a working knowledge of key financial concepts, such as interest rates, compound interest, opportunity costs, and the time value of money. Given the importance of finance in modern society, lacking financial literacy can be very damaging for a families’ long-term financial success. Through the QBBE curriculum, we will educate parents and high school students on the basics of a variety of financial topics, such as personal budgeting, debt management, education, insurance, investing, and even tax planning. These subjects may not be especially relevant to the students during their high school years but understanding key financial concepts will nonetheless prove valuable throughout the rest of their lives.
The S.T.E.A.M. Program
The STEAM program is a curriculum based on educating students in five specific disciplines — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the five disciplines as separate and distinct subjects, STEAM integrates them into a cohesive learning model based on real-world applications.
The goal of the QBBE STEAM curriculum will aim at attracting underrepresented populations, such as black, racialized, and female demographics. All sub-groups which are underrepresented in employment in STEAM fields, and can potentially help fill the gap in the much-needed STEAM workforce in Quebec. Another objective of this program is to help close the gender gap in the technology fields.
STEAM jobs do not all require higher education or even a college degree. Less than half of entry-level STEAM jobs require a university degree.
The QBBE will invest to recruit and support STEAM teachers, as well as collaborate with STEAM-focused high schools. Emphasis will be on advanced research projects in education, to better understand next-generation learning technologies. All of this effort is to meet a growing need as projections estimate the increasing need for workers in STEAM-related jobs.
What separates STEAM from traditional science and math education is the blended learning environment and showing students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches students computational thinking and focuses on the real-world applications of problem-solving. STEAM education should begin at a young age.
Elementary school
STEAM education focuses on the introductory level STEAM courses, as well as awareness of the STEAM fields and occupations. This initial initiative provides standards-based structured inquiry-based and real-world problem-based learning, connecting all five of the STEAM subjects. The goal is to stir students’ interest and have them wanting to pursue the courses, not because they have to. There is also an emphasis placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM learning opportunities.
Secondary school (grades 7 to 9)
At this stage, the courses become more rigorous and challenging. Student awareness of STEAM fields and occupations is still pursued, as well as the academic requirements of such fields. Student exploration of STEAM-related careers begins at this level, particularly for underrepresented populations.
Secondary school (grades 10 and 11)
The program focuses on the application of the subjects in a challenging and detailed approach. Courses and pathways are now available in STEAM fields and occupations, as well as preparation for post-secondary education and employment. More emphasis is placed on bridging in-school and out-of-school STEAM opportunities.