kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy
Breaking down systemic barriers to foster meaningful change in STEM education
At k2i, we envision a future where every student has exposure and access to consider STEM as a viable and rewarding career path.
By uniting school boards, educational leaders, industry leaders, and community organizations, we are breaking down barriers and creating innovative solutions to ensure equitable access to STEM education.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, it is more urgent than ever to equip everyone with essential STEM skills to navigate and thrive in the future. Together, we are transforming learning environments and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals and global citizens.
We dream alongside our partners and collaborators. Together, we seek opportunities to address systemic challenges in education.
k2i Inclusive Design Framework
The k2i Inclusive Design Framework is an approach to designing and implementing programs that are equity-focused and creates opportunity for system change in education. The framework uses a human-centered approach that integrates both programmatic and operational design.
k2i academy Inclusive Design Framework 1.0
Take a look at the k2i academy Inclusive Design Framework Tool! We are working with collaborators to create disruptive change. Learn more about how we are using this framework.
Links to papers:
k2i academy: An Innovative Ecosystem Addressing System Barriers in STEM from Kindergarten to Industry
Lisa Cole, Jane Goodyer, Vanessa Ironside
Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Undergraduate Mentors’ Perspectives on Equity Oriented STEM Outreach
Callum C. J. Sutherland, Aida Mohammadi, and Jeffrey Harris
Lassonde School of Engineering, York University
Research and Publications
Engineering and Design Approach to Building More Equitable Science Curricula: Challenges, Opportunities, and Cautions
The k2i academy teams up with Dr. Sarah Barrett, Faculty of Education, York University to present at Congress 2023. Together, an innovative approach to teacher resource development was shared, “Engineering and Design Approach to Building More Equitable Science Curricula: Challenges, Opportunities, and Cautions”.
Stories
View All View all storiesCelebrating young innovators: Lassonde hosts k2i academy’s Bringing STEM to Life symposium
In early August, York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering hosted its k2i (kindergart…
Lassonde Educational Innovation Studio and k2i academy collaborate to bring innovation to education
In 2020, the Lassonde School of Engineering launched two key initiatives that focused on enh…
Advancing engineering education: Lassonde hosts 2024 ASEE conference
From April 26 to 27, 2024, the Lassonde School of Engineering hosted the 2024 American Socie…
k2i academy engages girls in STEM with engineering design challenge
Lassonde’s k2i academy recently took part in the ‘Young Women on the Move: Possibilities Con…
k2i academy engages Black youth in STEM through innovative programming
In February, the k2i academy at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering welcomed ov…
Lassonde’s k2i academy creates co-op leadership opportunities aligned with UN SDGs
This story originally appeared in the February 2024 Innovatus Issue of YFile. Written b…
Transforming Education: k2i academy’s Summer STEM Initiative concludes with symposium
On August 2, 2023, the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University hosted the k2i (kin…
k2i breaks down barriers to STEM education with $400k donation from 407 ETR
Lassonde program at York U will put money towards programming that will create talent pipeli…
Dreaming Together at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNOLAB)
In late March, k2i (kindergarten to industry) academy at the Lassonde School of Engineering,…
Lassonde’s STEM programs reflect changing world
This story originally appeared in the March 2023 Innovatus Issue of YFile. Written by E…
k2i academy’s Michelle Tsui-Woods appointed board member for Science Teachers’ Association Ontario
Michelle Tsui-Woods, associate director of the kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy at Yor…
York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering receives provincial funding to launch STEM program for Black youth
York University is launching the world’s tiniest lecture hall to spur action on the giant pr…
Impact of Lassonde’s k2i academy recognized through Minister’s Award of Excellence in the category of Equality of Opportunity
The kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy at the Lassonde School of Engineering has been re…
Lassonde’s k2i academy introduces teacher resources for de-streaming Grade 9 Science in Ontario
Earlier this year, the Ontario Ministry of Education released the new Grade 9 De-streamed Sc…
Ontario teachers go FULL STE(A)M AHEAD into STEM education with k2i academy
In August, 30 elementary and secondary teachers from across Ontario converged at York Univer…
k2i academy launches new Indigenous Engineering, Technology & Innovation by Design program in Blind River, Ontario
Last month, the Lassonde School of Engineering k2i academy team visited Blind River, a town …
k2i academy’s in-school program brings experiential learning to high schools across the GTA
Lassonde’s k2i academy is bringing experiential learning to high school students across the …
Lassonde School of Engineering receives $1M for summer STEM program
The Lassonde School of Engineering’s kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy at York Uni…
Lassonde’s Lisa Cole named Canadian Black Scientist Network Ally
Lisa Cole, Director of Programming for the Lassonde School of Engineering k2i academy (kinde…
Lassonde partners with Scotiabank to fight global financial crime, advance equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM fields
A version of this article first appeared in YFile. At a time when financial markets, technol…
Lassonde School of Engineering Supports a York Region District School Board Hackathon: YRHacks
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken away many opportunities for high school students to particip…
New $160,000 KPM Power donation provides female STEM students with experiential learning opportunities
This press release was originally published on the York University News site.…
New program designed to help Bring STEM to Life in science classrooms across the GTA
This press release was originally published on the York University News site. NSERC-funded i…
Lassonde’s k2i Academy launches Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Black and Indigenous Youth
This month, Lassonde’s k2i Academy is welcoming 25 Black and Indigenous students from the Yo…
Lisa Cole, Director of k2i Academy, joins CLC Board of Directors
Lassonde is pleased to announce that Lisa Cole will be joining the Canada Learning Code Boar…
Lassonde hosted 16 high school students for the 2020 Helen Carswell STEAM Program for Women
The Lassonde School of Engineering welcomed 16 female high school students to participate in…
Lassonde’s k2i Director of Programming Recognized for Innovative Global Pilot Program
Lassonde’s own, Lisa Cole, Director of Programming for the k2i Academy and the collabo…
Ellehacks 2020 came back and bigger than ever!
On January 31, a group of 40+ dedicated Lassonde School of Engineering students hosted Elle …