Student Success Journeys Case Studies
Explore how high school students across Medical, Engineering, and Innovation/Smart Tech clusters turned curiosity into real-world AI & STEM projects — building portfolios, gaining confidence, and preparing for college and careers.
Sara’s Path to Medicine
Building No-Code AI Skills for a Future in Medicine
Background
Sara is a Grade 11 student passionate about healthcare. She had no prior coding experience but was curious about how AI could transform medicine. Her goal: explore AI in healthcare and build a strong portfolio to support her pre-med college applications.
Phase 1 – Foundations (Explorer Track)
Learned AI fundamentals using Teachable Machine: trained models for image and sound recognition.
Explored ethical considerations in AI, including bias, fairness, and patient privacy.
Built confidence with math-for-AI basics like probability and pattern recognition, taught visually and interactively.
Outcome: Gained a strong understanding of AI fundamentals and confidence to explore its role in healthcare.
Phase 2 – Healthcare Projects (Builder Track)
Main Path (No-Code):
Trained an AI model to detect fractures in X-ray images using accessible no-code tools.
Documented her findings and presented them to peers.Optional Enrichment (Coding):
Explored a simple Python-based AI project predicting health conditions (e.g., diabetes risk) using sample datasets.Participated in ethics discussions on AI in patient care, data security, and responsibility in medical decision-making.
Outcome: Built her first healthcare AI projects while practicing teamwork, ethics, and problem-solving.
Phase 3 – Capstone Project (Innovator Track)
Main Path (No-Code):
Designed an AI triage tool prototype to help prioritize patients based on symptoms.Optional Enrichment (Coding):
Extended the project by creating a basic medical chatbot with Python that answered health questions (with disclaimers).Produced a portfolio video showcasing the project workflow, model results, and healthcare impact.
Received mentor feedback on accuracy, medical relevance, and communication style.
Outcome: Created a professional portfolio highlighting healthcare AI applications — clear, ethical, and impactful.
Results & Achievements
Portfolio became a key differentiator in Sara’s pre-med college applications.
Received recognition in interviews and mentorship sessions for her real-world healthcare projects.
Developed confidence in STEM and medicine, with skills in AI problem-solving, ethics, teamwork, and presentation.
Positioned strongly for healthcare-focused university programs.
Alex’s Path to Engineering
Developing AI & Engineering Skills for College and Beyond
Background
Alex is a Grade 11 student passionate about engineering and technology. He wanted to explore how AI could enhance real-world engineering projects and strengthen his university applications. With little coding background, he began by experimenting with no-code AI, later branching into coding for deeper technical skills.
Phase 1 – Foundations (Explorer Track)
Learned AI fundamentals using Teachable Machine: trained models for image recognition and sound detection.
Explored engineering use cases of AI, such as fault detection in machinery and traffic flow optimization.
Built confidence with math-for-AI basics like probability, optimization, and logic, using visual, hands-on methods.
Engaged in group discussions on engineering ethics (automation, safety, bias in systems).
Outcome: Gained a strong foundation in AI concepts and the confidence to apply them in engineering contexts.
Phase 2 – Engineering Projects (Builder Track)
No-Code Option:
Built a smart traffic light prototype using no-code AI tools to analyze live traffic flow and simulate adaptive signals.Coding Option:
Developed a simple Python AI model for predictive maintenance—detecting when machines might fail based on patterns in sensor data.
Outcome: Learned to connect theory with practical engineering challenges, balancing no-code simplicity with coding depth.
Phase 3 – Capstone Project (Innovator Track)
No-Code Option:
Designed a bridge safety monitoring prototype, using AI models to analyze stress and vibration data from simulations.Coding Option:
Created a robotics control system where coded AI algorithms helped a robotic arm optimize movements for efficiency and accuracy.Documented all projects with diagrams, code snippets (for coding track), and presentations.
Produced a portfolio video showing the process, results, and real-world applications.
Outcome: Built a polished engineering portfolio demonstrating both no-code prototyping and coding-based AI engineering projects.
Results & Achievements
Showcased AI-driven engineering projects in both no-code and coding tracks.
Developed problem-solving, project documentation, teamwork, and technical communication skills.
Portfolio projects positioned Alex as a strong applicant for engineering and technology programs.
Gained confidence to pursue a wide range of engineering disciplines—robotics, mechanical, civil, or AI-enhanced innovation.
Mia’s Path to Smart Tech Innovation
Exploring No-Code and Coding AI for a Future in Smart Tech & Creativity
Background
Mia is a Grade 12 student fascinated by how technology can transform everyday life. She loves design, problem-solving, and exploring new ideas, but she didn’t have prior coding experience. Her goal: apply AI to creative and smart technologies while building a portfolio for her college applications in innovation and design-focused programs.
Phase 1 – Foundations (Explorer Track)
Learned AI basics with Teachable Machine, experimenting with image, sound, and gesture recognition.
Explored AI ethics in creativity and technology, discussing responsible use in art, design, and society.
Built confidence with math-for-AI lite concepts, like optimization and probability, applied to fun, hands-on examples.
Outcome: Discovered how AI can blend with creativity and innovation, building curiosity and foundational skills.
Phase 2 – Smart Tech Projects (Builder Track)
Main Path (No-Code):
Created a smart home prototype where lights responded to voice or gesture recognition using no-code AI.
Built a sentiment analysis project that classified emotions from sample text, exploring applications in customer experience.
Optional Enrichment (Coding):
Designed a Python-powered AI app for detecting objects via a webcam (basic computer vision).
Experimented with a recommendation engine prototype, showing how AI can personalize shopping or content.
Outcome: Built practical AI prototypes demonstrating innovation in everyday technology.
Phase 3 – Capstone Project (Innovator Track)
Main Path (No-Code):
Developed an AI sustainability project, such as an app concept that classifies recyclable vs. non-recyclable waste using AI image recognition.Optional Enrichment (Coding):
Built a Python-based AI assistant prototype, integrating text and image recognition to support creative problem-solving.Produced a portfolio video showcasing the project’s design process, AI features, and real-world applications.
Received mentor guidance on technical quality, creativity, and presentation for innovation-focused admissions.
Outcome: Created a standout portfolio combining creativity with real AI applications — ideal for innovation, smart tech, and design-related programs.
Results & Achievements
Portfolio highlighted innovation-ready skills across AI, design, and smart technology.
Positioned strongly for college programs in innovation, product design, and technology.
Gained confidence in applying AI not just for STEM, but for creativity and problem-solving in daily life.
Developed skills in ethics, teamwork, design thinking, and AI prototyping.
