Student Enrichment

Design & Engineering

CULTURE OF INNOVATION 

Our design and engineering courses follow WPGA’s inquiry-based learning model, encouraging students to further cultivate their innovation, research, and analytical skills. Students develop a solutions-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset to both conceptual and practical challenges. A wide range of electives and clubs, including digital arts, graphic design, woodworking, animation, and computer science, cater to diverse interests and skill levels, providing extensive exposure to various design disciplines and professional pathways.

JUNIOR SCHOOL 

In the Junior School, engineering and design principles are integrated into classes from junior kindergarten. In grades 6 and 7, students select electives based on their interests, with offerings such as STEM challenges, music technology, content creation, and Indigenous history. The ADST curriculum (Applied Design, Skills and Technologies) starts in kindergarten and extends into cooking, sewing, textiles, and woodworking, equipping students with practical skills that support their growth across all areas of life. 

SENIOR SCHOOL 

At the senior school level, design and engineering courses empower students with the knowledge, skills, and problem-solving abilities needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world. Through hands-on classes, students explore computer programming, animation, film, drafting, web development, digital media and more while developing the critical thinking and citizenship skills required in an information-rich society. By leveraging cutting-edge tools and software, students not only learn to innovate but also gain valuable, real world experience applicable to a range of careers. 

Junior School Design & Engineering Electives

List of 11 items.

  • Animation 6 & 7

    In Animation 6, students create the illusion of motion using both hand-drawn and digital animation techniques. Projects include traditional paper-and-pencil animation and online pixel art. 

    Animation 7 builds on students’ understanding of technology to create animated GIFs and explore various animation styles, including pixel art and stop motion. Students work independently and collaboratively to produce short narratives, incorporating diverse animation techniques and special effects.

    A laptop with a functioning camera is required for both courses. 

  • Applied Skills 6 & 7: Sewing, Cooking, Woodworking

    Grade 6 ADST: In this course, students build skills in sewing, cooking, and woodworking through 6-week rotations, completing a project in each area.
    • Sewing: Students explore creativity with woven fabrics, following simple patterns and learning hand and machine sewing techniques.
    • Cooking: Beginning with food safety and knife skills, students prepare diverse dishes, broadening their palate and cultural knowledge.
    • Woodworking: Students master basic joinery and safety in the Makerspace using hand tools, including saws, drills, Dremels, pocket-hole jigs, and the laser cutter to design and create furniture, vending machines, games and more.  
    Sewing & Textiles 7: Students develop their creativity and design sense using a sewing machine and serger. They build on their existing sewing skills to create exciting projects, from zippered bags and basic clothing to quilted items and creative hand stitching. This extended class tailors projects to students' experience level, ensuring challenges are fun and doable as students expand their skills. 

    Cooking Extended 7:     Students begin by mastering food safety essentials and essential knife skills before learning to cook a variety of dishes for every meal, including dessert. By exploring new flavours and refining their cooking techniques, they gain the confidence to impress family and friends with delicious meals. Please note: Recipes and lesson formats may be adjusted to accommodate safety protocols, allergy restrictions, and ingredient availability. 

    Woodworking Extended 7: Students expand their woodworking skills by tackling larger, more complex projects using the Makerspace’s tools, including saws, drills, Dremels, pocket-hole jigs, and a laser cutter. Projects may include small furniture, toys, wooden arcades, board games, and puzzles.

  • Brainbreakers 6 (STEM)

    Students collaborate to solve design challenges using STEM concepts. A variety of hands-on, activity-based problems will help develop critical and creative thinking skills in a fun and engaging way.

  • Coding Creations 6 & 7 (Robotics)

    In Coding Creations 6, students build and program Lego Spike Prime Robots to complete a series of challenging tasks using sensors and competition mats, developing complex problem-solving skills along the way.

    In Coding Creations 7, students build and program Lego Spike Prime robots to complete tasks using sensors and competition mats. The course focuses on complex problem-solving, with advanced students having the option to use Python, though block coding remains effective.

    Interschool competitions and an extracurricular collaboration for grades 4-7 may also be available.

  • Creative Design 7 (Engineering)

    Engineering is all about creating solutions that benefit others, and chances are students have already used engineering skills without realizing it. Whether tackling simple or complex challenges, engineers follow a structured approach called the engineering design process. In this course, students will work both individually and collaboratively on projects involving soldering, electrical circuits, hydraulics, roller coaster physics, and flight.

  • Graphic Design 7

    Graphic designers combine images, text and symbols into visually appealing layouts, with the goal of creating an effective visual representation of an idea or a message. Students explore both traditional handmade artwork and digital artwork to design logos, posters, and T-shirts. Students will need to bring their laptop.

  • Museum of Anthropology 7

    Just steps away from our doorstep is the incredible Museum of Anthropology. Students take a field trip there every Friday morning during elective block, with exclusive access before it opens to the public. In this course, we’ll explore the museum’s art and belonging collection, collaborating with a museum educator to deepen our understanding of the First Peoples' Principles of Learning through on-site inquiry projects and artistic experiences.

  • Music Technology 7

    This course explores the use of technology to create, capture, and manipulate sound and music. Students will examine the role and impact of sound in everyday life, from working with existing audio to recording new sounds. Using various apps and music production software, students will produce projects focused on sound design elements such as Foley artistry, film soundtracks, and video game composition. Students are required to bring a laptop and headphones.

  • Science Presenters 7

    In this course, students engage in a series of hands-on science experiments and demonstrations and then design their own. They gain valuable public speaking and project planning skills while exploring chemistry, physics and biology. The course culminates in students creating and presenting their own science workshops to primary classes.

  • Weaving Together 6

    Weaving Together: Indigenous Education highlights Indigenous knowledge and perspectives as its foundation. Students explore the stories, voices, and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples while learning about the First Peoples Principles of Learning. They then connect these teachings to their own lives, discovering how they can contribute positively to Canadian society and their communities. The course is facilitated by Brittney Townrow, Indigenous Education Coordinator.

  • Wolf TV 7

    In this course, students collaborate to capture and showcase the vibrant WPGA community through PSAs, sports updates, and event promotions. Ideal for those interested in acting, video production, and editing, students will gain hands-on experience in creating engaging media content.

Senior School Design & Engineering Programs

List of 14 items.

  • AP Computer Science A

    This course prepares students for the AP Computer Science A exam, focusing on algorithm development and object-oriented programming in Java. Students will design applications and are expected to have a strong interest and aptitude in programming. Although there are no formal prerequisites, students should consult an IT teacher to assess their readiness. 

  • Digital Arts 8 & 9 

    Digital Arts 8 introduces students to computer science principles, user experience design, and media literacy. Students explore Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere.

    In Digital Arts 9, students explore advanced design concepts, user experience, and media creation. They deepen their skills in Adobe Creative Cloud applications and explore 3D modeling and AR/VR design.

  • Drafting 11 & 12

    This course introduces students to design principles and problem-solving through various drafting challenges. Students develop theoretical and practical skills in model-making, hand drafting, and computer applications, including SketchUp. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, decision-making, and collaboration through independent and group projects. The course explores diverse drafting and design applications and examines the relationship between design, society, culture, and the environment. Drafting 11 (offered in 2026-2027) focuses on smaller-scale projects; Drafting 12 (offered in 2025-2026) covers larger buildings and exterior finishes.

  • Engineering 12

    This project-based course requires strong mathematical, physics, and computer skills. Students collaborate on hands-on design projects while developing problem-solving, teamwork, and technical communication skills. Topics include engineering disciplines, case studies, ethics, simulation, optimization, graphical communication, and engineering finance. This course fulfills the science graduation requirement and appears on transcripts as "Specialized Science 12." Engineering 12 (offered in 2025-2026) alternates yearly with Health Sciences 12.

  • Entrepreneurship 12

    This course equips students with the skills to develop and launch a small business using design thinking. Students identify problems, analyze market segments, create solutions, and operate a business with a triple bottom line. After closing their business, they tackle larger societal challenges and pitch innovative solutions to a panel. The course fosters creativity, risk-taking, and essential business skills in marketing, accounting, and finance.

  • Materials Design 8 & 9

    Materials Design 8 is a hands-on course that introduces students to design and tool skills through projects such as handmade jewelry, small woodworking pieces, and solid-fueled rockets. Students learn to use woodworking tools (lathe, saws, drills, sanders) and metalwork techniques. Independent projects may be explored. 

    In Materials Design 9, students focus on woodworking and metalworking skills through projects like handmade jewelry, small wood designs, and metal casting. Students use a variety of tools and finishing techniques and may explore independent projects. 

  • Media Design 10/11/12

    Students gain hands-on experience creating content for the yearbook, Wolf TV, and other projects. The course covers design principles, image development, user interviewing, prototyping, and testing. Students develop real-world skills in teamwork, time management, and design thinking.

  • STEM 8 & 9

    STEM 8 fosters problem-solving and creativity through hands-on academic challenges in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students engage in projects such as bridge design, 3D printing, laser cutting, and rocket cars while learning key design principles. Assessments focus on conceptual understanding, research, and communication.

    STEM 9 is a project-based course where students solve hands-on challenges using science, technology, engineering, and math. Students apply the STEM Design Cycle (Inquire, Design, Create, Evaluate) to projects like electric motors, 3D printing, and circuitry. Assessments focus on conceptual understanding, research, and communication. 

  • Woodworking 10

    This hands-on course focuses on woodturning and woodworking. Students design and create wooden items such as pens, spinning tops, vases, and bowls before constructing a wooden toy using various tools and finishing techniques. Additional skills may be explored through independent projects. Open to students in grades 10-12. 

  • Programming & Robotics 8 & 9

    Programming & Robotics 8 builds computational thinking and problem-solving skills using programming and robotics. Students explore how computers solve real-world problems and learn applied programming concepts. The Microsoft Office Suite is used to present projects. 

    In Programming & Robotics 9, students expand their computational thinking and explore contemporary tech topics, including cloud computing, AI, and the Internet of Things. Students develop programming and presentation skills while gaining familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud. 

  • Web Development 10

    Students build and maintain a professionally hosted website, which can serve as an academic or professional portfolio (e.g., johndoe.ca). This course bridges technical and artistic aspects of IT and is ideal for students with prior experience in Digital Arts or Programming and Robotics. There are no prerequisites but students must have a laptop capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud on Windows or macOS.

  • Film/TV Production 11 & 12

    Film + Television 11
    This course fosters creativity and technical filmmaking skills, emphasizing visual storytelling. Students develop problem-solving abilities through collaborative projects and gain experience in three key areas:
    • Pre-production: Screenwriting, storyboarding, and scheduling.
    • Production: Directing, camera work, and blocking.
    • Post-production: Editing and sound design.
    Working in small groups, students create short films while taking on various production roles both behind and in front of the camera. They will learn to operate DSLR cameras and edit using Adobe Premiere Pro CC, all while honing time management and teamwork skills.

    Film + Television 12

    Building on Film + Television 11, this advanced course functions like a production studio, with students creating three term-end presentations screened for the school. They will collaborate on vignettes to capture the school’s culture while mastering roles in acting, directing, editing, sound design, and recording.

    With a focus on large-scale production, students must think creatively, solve problems under pressure, and meet tight deadlines. Expect long shoots, occasional after-school filming, and the challenges of real-world production. This course sharpens storytelling, teamwork, and technical expertise in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

  • Digital Media Design 12

    Students create a personal digital media portfolio published on a professionally hosted website, which they may retain permanently (e.g., johndoe.ca). This course deepens technical and artistic skills in areas such as film, illustration, and game design. A laptop capable of running Windows or macOS (for Adobe Creative Cloud) is required.

  • AP Computer Science Principles

    Open to grades 10-12. This course provides a broad introduction to computer science and covers algorithm development, Python programming, computing systems, and the impact of technology. The AP assessment includes a performance task (April) and a final exam (May). 


   

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Peter Holowka

    Peter Holowka 

    Head of Educational Technology, Senior School
    About Me
  • Photo of Matthew Mah

    Matthew Mah 

    Head of Educational Technology, Junior School
    About Me
  • Photo of Charlotte Anthony

    Charlotte Anthony 

    STEM Teacher, Junior School


   

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Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

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West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750