STEAM at Trafalgar: Where Curiosity Leads and Creativity Builds
At Trafalgar, STEAM is more than a collection of subjects—it’s a mindset. It’s how we encourage students to explore the world around them, solve real problems, and imagine what’s possible. By weaving together Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics, we foster interdisciplinary thinking and empower girls to take risks, ask bold questions, and lead with innovation.
STEM emphasizes process over product
Learning That Begins With “Why?”
In every STEAM classroom, students are invited to begin with inquiry:
Why do we dream?
How can we make cities more sustainable?
Can art help us understand algorithms?
These aren’t just questions—they’re springboards for discovery.
Instead of memorizing facts, our students engage in hands-on, project-based learning that mirrors how STEAM fields operate in the real world. They design, prototype, test, analyze, and iterate. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn not just content, but process, persistence, and purpose.
Science and Math as Tools for Exploration
In our science labs and math classes, students don’t just follow procedures—they design experiments, interpret data, and connect theory to everyday life. Whether they’re investigating genetics, building models of chemical reactions, or applying calculus to engineering problems, they’re developing the analytical tools to understand the complexities of the natural world.
Technology and Engineering in Action
Technology at Trafalgar is about creation, not consumption. Students learn to code, build circuits, and design digital solutions to real-world challenges. From robotics and 3D printing to app development and digital design, girls are encouraged to become builders, not just users.
Engineering comes to life through interdisciplinary projects—constructing earthquake-proof structures, developing sustainable prototypes, or designing assistive devices. Students learn the value of iteration, teamwork, and learning from failure.
The “A” in STEAM: Creativity Fuels Innovation
The Arts play a vital role in our approach to STEM. Whether through design thinking, visual storytelling, or architecture-inspired projects, creative expression is a driving force in how our students learn and solve problems. We believe that empathy, imagination, and aesthetic awareness are critical components of future-ready thinking.
STEAM Beyond the Classroom
Learning spills outside the classroom walls at Trafalgar. Students participate in:
STEM competitions and science fairs
Guest speaker series featuring women in STEM careers
Collaborations with artists, engineers, and researchers
Outdoor environmental science and urban design challenges
These experiences give students real-world exposure and help them see themselves as future scientists, creators, and change-makers.
At Trafalgar, STEAM is a space where girls lead with confidence, combine logic with creativity, and build the future with curiosity and heart.
The Trafalgar-McGill CoLab had a hugely successful launch this past Tuesday! A variety of students, teachers, researchers, professors, parents, grad students, Old Girls, board members, donors – and more! – gathered in the Faculty of Education Learning Commons to learn about the partnership and envision the future of education through cutting-edge research, innovation, and collaboration. We look forward to showcasing future milestones of this bold and blossoming school-university partnership.
On Wednesday, April 9th, six keen Traf students competed in the CTMC at St Georges High School. They attempted tough math competitions individually, as a team and in a team relay before hearing from an engineering student who spoke about Creating Computer Vision Systems for Neurosurgeons. Congratulations and thank you to Sophie R., Violet S., Naomi P., Ilaria S., Finley K., and Rachel O. for a great day of math!
We are delighted to co-host the official launch of the CoLab, this groundbreaking collaboration between Trafalgar School for Girls and McGill University, taking place on April 15, 2025. This event will be an opportunity to showcase the impact of this partnership and express our gratitude to those who have made it possible. The launch will be held at the McGill Faculty of Education Learning Commons (EDUC 120) from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, find more details here.
After some intense debate and compromising during period 5, Secondary 1 students have voted on and chosen their inquiry topic for the year. This year, there were 8 pitches to choose from: Homelessness, Acne, Zodiac signs, Fire, Skin care, Mushrooms, Marine Biology, and Non-Newtonian solids. Following a secret ballot vote the winning topic is marine biology.
McGill undergraduate students joined us at Trafalgar for a lunch and learn session on Tuesday November 5th. They spoke with Ms. Loupelle’s Sec. I class and witnessed experiential learning techniques first hand. They witnessed the class discuss formal pitches, building upon other thoughts and ideas, and the concept of inquiry based learning. It was a pleasure to share ideas and discuss 21st century learning.