Welcome, Educators!
The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business is excited to bring our engaging workshops to your high school classrooms. Â
Developed by our faculty, and facilitated by a Digital Media Instructor from the Stratford School, these free sessions are for grades 9 through 12 and are designed to empower students with practical skills, inspire creativity, and provide insights into the world of business, technology and design. Â
Why Request a Workshop for your Class?
-
Hands-On Learning: Students will dive into interactive activities, experiment with cutting-edge tools, and gain practical experience.
-
Creativity Boost: Our workshops foster imagination and innovation. From design thinking to digital art, students will explore their creative potential.
-
Business Insights: Equip your students with essential business knowledge. They’ll learn about entrepreneurship, marketing, professional communication and portfolio-making. Â
What Your Class Will Gain:
-
Inspiration: Our passionate instructors will ignite curiosity and inspire students to pursue their interests.
-
Collaboration: Students will work together on projects, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
-
University Experience: Your students will experience what its like to be in a university classroom!Â
Available Workshops
Wearable Technologies: Custom Light-Up Sneakers
Developed by Dr. Karen Cochrane
In this project, students will create wearable sneakers that light up with each step. By using pressure sensors embedded in the soles of the shoes, LEDs will illuminate when pressure is applied. Participants will learn the basics of wearable computing and electronics by creating an interactive project. Students will explore how technology can be integrated into everyday clothing and accessories. This workshop will provide a fun introduction to electronics, programming, and design through creative DIY projects.Â
All materials are provided.
Presented: In-Person
Location: Your high school or Stratford School
Constructing a Professional Identity: Communication, Portfolio and Entrepreneurship
Developed by Dr. Noorin Manji
This workshop will focus on strategies for secondary students to construct and cultivate strong professional identities. Through hands-on, interactive, and engaging activities, the session will prompt high schoolers to reflect on the professional they aspire to be and the steps they can take to enhance professional communication, build a stand-out portfolio, and even expect future entrepreneurial paths.
Presented: In-Person or Remote
Innovative Problem-Solving with Assumption Reversal
Developed by Dr. Will Zhao
This workshop introduces high school students to the concept of assumption reversal, a powerful technique used in business to challenge conventional thinking and drive innovation. Through interactive activities, students will learn how to identify and reverse common assumptions in everyday scenarios, encouraging them to think outside the box and develop creative solutions. This session will provide a glimpse into how innovative thinking is cultivated within the GBDA program, making it accessible and engaging for students across various subjects.
Presented: In-Person or Remote
The Tarot Cards of Tech
Facilitated by Noah Pratt, Digital Media Instructor
Through the Tarot Cards of Tech, students will explore the intersection of design and business. This interactive session will encourage students to think creatively about the future of technology and its impact on society. Through collaborative activities, they’ll brainstorm innovative solutions, develop business models, and present their ideas. This workshop aims to inspire students to become thoughtful leaders and innovators, equipped to shape a better future through technology and design.
The Tarot Cards of Tech are developed by .
Presented: In-Person or Remote
Introduction to Information Architecture
Recommended for courses in Comm. Technology, Computer Science, and Business.
Learn how to organize and structure information effectively using card-sorting techniques. This hands-on session will help you understand how to create intuitive and user-friendly designs by grouping and categorizing content.
Presented in-person or remotely.
Snapshot! Photography Challenge
Recommended for courses in Storytelling, Comm. Technology, and Art.
Students will explore professional photography techniques. They’ll focus on manual settings, composition, lighting, and capturing exciting moments. Topics include framing, rule of thirds, and candid shots.
Presented in-person at the Stratford School with our camera equipment.
Create Your Business Model Canvas
Recommended for courses in Business, Marketing, and Finance.
Take your next idea from concept to action. Students will build a Business Model Canvas for their brand and identify strategic growth opportunities.
Presented in-person or remotely.
Podcasting 101
Recommended for courses in Music, Audio Engineering, and Storytelling.
Everyone has a story to tell. Working with professional audio gear, students will explore story planning, interview skills, audio recording, and simple audio editing.
Presented in-person at the Stratford School with our camera equipment.
Digital Media Ethics
Recommended for courses in Comm. Technology, Law and Policy, and Business.
Students will discuss ethical dilemmas related to digital media. They'll explore topics like privacy, cyberbullying, and misinformation. This workshop will encourage critical thinking and responsible digital citizenship.
Presented in-person or remotely.
User Persona Creation
Recommended for courses in Marketing, Business, and Design.
In this workshop, students collaboratively create user personas. They'll gather insights from existing user research or conduct quick interviews. The goal is to empathize with users and understand their needs, behaviours, and pain points.
Presented in-person or remotely.
Reserve Your Spot
Have any questions?
Reach out to our Recruitment and Admissions Co-Ordinator to explore dates and workshop options at stratfordprograms@uwaterloo.ca, and get ready for an educational journey that will leave a lasting impact on your students.