Family Handbook 2026-27

HC-X: HAVERGAL’S INNOVATION HUB

TC-9: The Challenge (Grade 9) TC-9 is a course designed specifically for Grade 9 students to explore, learn and take action on the most urgent challenges of their time. The course introduces students to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their targets and indicators. They hear from guest speakers, participate in workshops, explore the land at Havergal and venture throughout the city on excursions to learn about different aspects of how global challenges are impacting people around the world in different ways. Students go “off timetable” and learn about futures and systems thinking, research and diverse worldviews, as well as how to adopt a trans-disciplinary approach to complex challenges: learning from experts, completing field research and more. This course is founded upon student agency, interest and action, framed by key considerations of hope, joy and optimism to help combat eco-anxiety. The SDGs are challenges for all of us to meet head-on. To support this approach, we are integrating futures thinking tools like the Futures Triangle; mindsets like creative confidence; diverse worldviews such as Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing; and compelling, inspiring, action-based research, such as Hope Jahren's The Story of More . This course is premised on students engaging in research, action and learning — in that order. In this way, students need to adopt innovator and entrepreneurial mindsets where the learning is the journey. Through an immersive experience, students are provided the time to integrate their learning into their project and course work and to look ahead and see what action they may want to take to extend their impact. The final student report uses competency-based assessment and asset-based feedback through a participatory reporting process that is distinct from their formal report card. This student-led club is supported by HC-X as part of the Virtual Learning Lab (VLL). A mobile “laboratory,” the VLL is an opportunity for Havergal students and faculty to learn about emerging technologies: Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, 360° media and 3D design. Through workshops in partnership with the Global Learning & Leading Diploma and hosted experiences such as National Film Board’s Biidaaban: First Light, students experience and build using immersive technologies right here on campus. Future-Ready Learning Experiences As HC-X continues to design strategic programming in Futures & Foresight and Entrepreneurship, we also curate opportunities for small groups of students to participate in future-ready learning experiences within the community. Many of these are annual events, such as the CIS Ontario Middle School Future Prize. Others are just-in-time opportunities such as a tour of the Immersive Studio at Virtual Learning Lab VR Club (Grades 9 to 12)

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