The mission for iCAST is to get ahead of the disruption in every aspect of society, including education. An approach that favours rote learning, knowledge acquisition and a demonstration of its mastery is no longer considered a top future-proof skill set. 
 
“iCAST is a place to inspire the art of the possible and act as a catalyst for creativity and differentiated thinking,” he says. 

For example, as Michael’s daughter Siena mentions in the preceding article, with a dedicated space for robotics, more kids will be inspired to give it a try—and that try could launch their interest. 

With unprecedented opportunities in fabrication, digital design, entrepreneurship, performance, AI and multimedia arts, iCAST’s guiding principle is to ensure students are equipped with an Innovation Mindset–embracing experimentation, risk-taking, and problem-solving. This desirable skill set unlocks a range of educational and employment opportunities, regardless of the avenue our graduates pursue. For example, Siena is winning pitches to industry professionals at the Western Engineering Competition and the Ontario Engineering Competition by leveraging her technical and civil engineering expertise, and coupling that with her presentation skills. Spaces within the iCAST, from design labs to pitch spaces, will help students hone those skills.

“iCAST will offer so many transferable skills for every profession, not just entrepreneurship or engineering,” says Michael. “STEM is not just being good at math. “iCAST offers opportunities for students to play to strengths, and develop resilience to grow in areas they’re maybe not as strong in.”

Although the Innovation Mindset is already embedded into the JK to Grade 12 journey, the program is bumping up against its existing facilities.  “As we develop the Innovator’s Mindset in our students—such as design thinking, AI, advanced fabrication, augmented reality, robotics and other leading edge technology—we need the space or we can’t scale it up to all students,” says Michael.

At present, Michael is already putting Branksome on the global map as a place where innovation happens. The Garage, an incubator that invites teachers and staff to ideate, experiment and prototype new ideas and initiatives, helping to spark new cross-functional and school-wide innovation. In October 2022, Michael led the launch of a new podcast series on innovation, The GarageCast. It includes guests from the Branksome Hall community and sparks conversations around the future of education. It now reaches over 15,000 weekly listeners in more than 14 countries!

That’s why a commitment to evolving and elevating Branksome’s STEM programming through iCAST isn’t just a commitment to our students. It’s commitment to the economies of the future, and to the world.