To make STEM more accessible, ESQ proudly partners with local organizations to connect with youth living with disabilities, including neurodiverse youth, ensuring every young mind can explore, create, and thrive. We focus on adapting our STEM programs to meet the unique needs of our participants while working alongside our partners to create lasting memories! '
Our mission is to create inclusive STEM opportunities for youth living with disabilities and fostering a strong sense of belonging within the STEM community. We believe their voices and ideas are essential, and we strive to ensure they have meaningful opportunities to contribute and shape the future of STEM.
If you are a community partner who works with youth living with disabilities and are interested in hosting a hands-on STEM workshop, event or club, please reach out by emailing engoutreach@uwaterloo.ca!
Upcoming Fall Programs
We are excited to highlight our upcoming ESQ All-In programs this fall with one of our valued partners, Autism Ontario.
Autism Ontario (Central West) - Burlington - Cyber safety Lego Robotics Workshop
This program is intended for autistic teens ages 13-17 in the Halton Region.
In this fun and engaging Lego Robotics STEM workshop focused on online safety, participants will build and program and drivable robot using block coding. This is not a transfer of care program. Parents/caregivers are required to stay onsite.
Date: September 24
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Ages: 13-17
Location: Monarch House, Burlington
Cost (To Autism Ontario): $5 per ticket (ticket limit, 2 per family)
Autism Ontario (Central West) - Waterloo - Code & Create with Micro:bits
This program is intended for autistic youth ages 10-14 in the Waterloo Region.
Join ESQ in this 4-week Micro:bit Coding Club where participants explore creative tech projects and get to keep their own Micro:bit! Each week builds coding skills through fun activities like making music, designing animations, creating sensory toys, and experimenting with AI. No prior coding experience is needed - just bring your curiosity and enthusiasm!
This is not a transfer of care program. Parents/caregivers are required to stay onsite.
Dates: 4 sessions, November 6, 13, 20, & 27
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Ages: 10-14
Location: University of Waterloo, Waterloo Campus (the specific location will be emailed closer to the programming date)
Cost (to Autism Ontario): $5 per ticket (once registered, there can be no refunds)*siblings welcome