RAD MUSLIMS Maingate Islamic Academy Muslim Champions

Mohammed Maxwel

Grade seven team, the Frenchfry Pigeons, came in second place at the Let’s Talk Science Challenge. Left to right: Noor Albehisi, Yasmine Husameldin and Amira Char.

In May 2021, students from Maingate Islamic Academy participated in a nation-wide science competition, reaching finals and receiving an award for their accomplishment.

1. For those who do not know, what is Maingate Islamic Academy?

Maingate Islamic Academy is a private elementary Islamic school located in Mississauga, Ontario. The students range from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 and the school builds upon the Ontario curriculum within an Islamic environment. Students learn French, Quran, Arabic and Islamic Studies as early as Junior Kindergarten. Being surrounded by fellow Muslims, a strong sense of Muslim identity is created and established.

2. What is the Let’s Talk Science Challenge?

The Let’s Talk Science Challenge, hosted by University of Toronto, is a yearly national competition across Canada that focuses on STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). In 2021, the competition went virtual and focused on advanced academic concepts beyond the students’ regular curriculum.

3. What is the Lorna Collins Spirit Award?

The Lorna Collins Spirit Award is awarded to the team or individual that shows the greatest spirit, team commitment, fun and creativity.

4. What are the event/award/accomplishment highlights?

This year, over 15,000 grade 6, 7, and 8 students took part in this national challenge from coast to coast. 470 teams and 1,800 students reached the finals. The grade 7 team, called Frenchfry Pigeons, won second place in the Lorna Collins Spirit Award. The grades 6 and grades 8 teams went to the finals.

We’re proud to say that Maingate Islamic Academy is one of the rare Islamic schools that not only participated in this challenge, but succeeded in being in the finals and won second place!

5. What was the students’ involvement in the challenge?

Grade 6, 7 and 8 students began preparations in December 2020. The event took place on May 28, 2021. This year, the subjects included Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Math, Earth Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science, and Space Science. Students collaborated remotely in weekly study sessions and participated in the practice rounds.

6. What is the future of Maingate Islamic Academy? Future plans, leadership, etc.

Maingate Islamic Academy strives to be the role model of Islamic schools in Canada. The Academy endeavours to combine the Ontario curriculum with a strong Islamic education to build future Muslim-Canadian leaders in society. One of the projects in the works is for Maingate Islamic Academy to open a high school, continuously building ties within the community to serve the Muslim population in Mississauga.