Work-Integrated Learning: An Alternative Pathway for High School Physics

k2i academy within the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University is committed to dismantling systemic barriers that impact underrepresented youth in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including women, Black youth, and Indigenous youth.A barrier to pursuing engineering and many sciences in post-secondary is high school prerequisite courses, with grade 11 university physics presenting the largest barrier for students, especially those from non-dominant communities.The Bringing STEM to Life: Work-Integrated program addresses this challenge by providing a paid work experience integrated with a high school physics credit for youth who have opted out of physics from underserved communities.The objective is to explore physics fundamentals through hands-on learning that incorporates engineering design and coding, while providing representative mentors from STEM disciplines to create a sense of belonging within STEM spaces.This paper will explore the impact, successes, limitations and next steps for the program and propose how this program might expand to further support deserving communities.