Frequently Asked Questions
Everything parents need to know about Young Engineers Toronto East End and Midtown. If your question is not answered here, email us at torontoeastend@youngengineers.org and we will get back to you.
Registration and pricing
How do I register my child?
Visit our calendar to see class times and locations, choose the program you want, and complete your registration online. It takes about five minutes.
How much do Fall 2026 programs cost?
Fall term runs 13 classes. Mechanical Engineering is $520 and Coding is $585, plus HST. That covers everything: all building kits, robotics equipment, materials and mentor instruction. There are no additional fees and nothing for you to buy.
Is there a lower cost way to try Young Engineers first?
Yes. We run Saturday drop-in workshops at Matty Eckler Community Centre at $35 for Mechanical Engineering and $40 for Coding. It is a single session with no commitment, and a good way to see whether your child takes to it before enrolling in a full term.
When does Fall 2026 start?
Classes begin the week of September 14, 2026 and run for 13 weeks. Exact start dates vary by location and are listed on the calendar.
Are spots limited?
Yes. Every class runs with a maximum of six students per mentor, so places are capped at each location. Some classes from previous terms filled before the school year started.
Is there a waitlist if a class is full?
Yes. If a class reaches capacity you can join the waitlist. Places are held in order of sign up, and if a family cancels the next family on the list is contacted.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Email us at torontoeastend@youngengineers.org and we will walk you through it. We understand plans change and we work with families.
Programs and ages
What age is Young Engineers for?
Our programs run from age 4 through to teens. Each one is built for a specific stage, so children work at a level that challenges them without frustrating them.
Which program is right for my child?
| Program | Ages | Focus |
| Bricks Challenge | 4 to 9 | STEM and classical mechanics through building |
| Galileo Technic | 7 to 10 | Advanced mechanical engineering principles |
| Algo Play | 8+ and teens | Coding fundamentals and debugging |
| Robo Toys | 10+ and teens | Robotics building combined with programming |
| Smartivo | 4 to 6 | Early coding, arriving Winter 2027 |
Full descriptions are on our programs page.
What is the difference between Mechanical Engineering and Coding?
Mechanical Engineering is hands-on building: children construct working models such as cranes and vehicles and learn how gears, levers and pulleys make them work. Coding adds programming to that, so children build a model and then write the logic that makes it move, react and light up. Many families start with Mechanical Engineering and move into Coding later.
Does my child need any experience?
No. Most of our students start with none at all. Programs meet children where they are, and the small group size means nobody falls behind or gets held back.
Is this a lot of screen time?
No. Most of a session is physical building with real parts. Coding programs use tangible coding blocks or a tablet app depending on the program and age, and students do not need internet access.
Locations and schedule
Where are Fall 2026 classes held?
Classes run at neighbourhood schools and community centres across Toronto East End, including Wilkinson, Morse, Ralph Thornton Community Centre, Beaches Recreation Centre, Victoria Park Elementary School and Danforth (East End United). The calendar shows every current location with days and times.
What days and times do classes run?
After school classes run on weekdays between 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM depending on the location. Saturday drop-in workshops run at Matty Eckler Community Centre from 10:30 to 11:45 AM.
How long is a session?
Sessions run between 90 minutes and 105 minutes depending on the location and program.
My child does not attend one of your partner schools. Can they still join?
Yes. Community centre locations are open to any family in the area, and several school based classes accept students from outside the school. Check the calendar or email us and we will tell you which options are open to you.
What happens in a session
What does a typical class look like?
Every session opens with a real world question or story that connects an engineering idea to something children recognise. They then build a working model using Young Engineers kits, test it, and improve it. Sessions close with a group challenge or a short reflection where children explain what they made.
What will my child actually learn?
Beyond the engineering and coding content, children practise breaking a problem into steps, testing an idea, watching it fail, and fixing it. That loop is the point. We wrote about a full session in detail here: What Your Child Actually Does in a Class.
Do children take their builds home?
Models are built and rebuilt using our kits, so the builds stay with us. What children take home is the skill and the confidence, and photos are shared with families where consent has been given.
Mentors and safety
What is the mentor to student ratio?
A strict maximum of 1 mentor to 6 students. This is the number we would encourage you to ask any program about, because it determines whether your child is actually known in the room.
Who leads the sessions?
Trained mentors with backgrounds in engineering, technology and education. All mentors are background checked and follow the Young Engineers methodology, which is officially recognised by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the European Union Commission.
How does the program support the school curriculum?
Activities align with the Ontario science, mathematics and technology curriculum and build the problem solving, teamwork and creative thinking skills that sit alongside it.
Is the program inclusive?
Yes. Programs are designed for all learning styles and abilities. If your child has a specific need, tell us before the term starts and we will talk through how to support them.
Do you take photos of the children?
Only with consent. We ask families at registration, and children without consent on file are never photographed in a way that identifies them.
Schools and organisations
Can you run a program at our school?
Yes. We deliver in class enrichment during the school day, lunchtime clubs, after school programs and PA day workshops. We provide all kits, materials, mentors, setup and cleanup, so there is no added workload for school staff. Get in touch through our contact page.
What does a school need to provide?
A classroom or activity room with tables and chairs. Everything else comes with us and leaves with us.
Do you run corporate or community events?
Yes. We run team building workshops for organisations and activity sessions at community events. Email us for details.
Summer camp
Do you run a summer camp?
Yes. Summer Camp runs full days from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM through July and August in Leslieville, with before care and after care available. Registration for Summer 2027 opens in the new year. Join our newsletter to hear when dates are announced.
Still have a question?
Email torontoeastend@youngengineers.org or call 289 212 9819. We are happy to talk through which program fits your child before you commit to anything.