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Enrichment and Leadership Opportunities

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SHAD:  Shad is a 4 week summer enrichment program for students who are high academic achievers, leaders, and innovators. SHAD programs are focused on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math).  Students may apply for one of several Canadian university sites for their studies. Students in grades 10, 11, or 12 are invited to apply. The application deadline is late November.  Why SHAD? – find out here.

CLAY (Creating Leadership Amongst Youth): This McMaster University program is a 3 day/2 night leadership conference which allows students to develop and share their knowledge of leadership.

L.E.A.P. (Learning Enrichment Advancement Program): Leap is a summer enrichment program offered at McMaster University. Students can choose to stay in one of McMaster’s student residences for the duration of their 2 or 4 week program.  LEAP offers students a chance to explore new ideas in one of 4 areas:  Introduction to Engineering, Engineering Design,Engineering Technology, and Bioengineering. Programs are available to students from grades 9 to 12 in selected areas.

Waterloo Unlimited: High School Enrichment at the University of Waterloo: Waterloo Unlimited is a unique enrichment opportunity for high school students in grades 10 through 12. Offered during the school year, Unlimited brings together curious, motivated, well-rounded teens from across the country.

The International Summer School for Young Physicists: The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Ontario. This program is for students who have completed their senior level high school courses specifically in mathematics and physics and plan to study physics at university. Students must be 17 – 18 years of age. This program is free to those selected to attend. The program runs July but applications are due in December.

CATALYST– University of Waterloo – Catalyst empowers high school youth to be the agents of change in our community and our world by creating opportunities for them to increase awareness, confidence and leadership abilities in engineering, science and technology.  Programs include a Grade 11 Girls Conference in April – applications are due in December/January.

ESU – Enrichment Studies Unit: Queen’s University offers 3-day spring programs, 5-day summer programs, and a variety of online programs for students in grades 9 to 12. Visit Queen’s in-person and stay in residence, explore the campus through afternoon and evening activities, and select a course from a variety of disciplines such as: Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, Medicine, Creative Writing, Creative Arts, Law, and more. Or, experience Queens’ virtually through our online programs. Visit our website for more information, registration deadlines, and bursaries. https://esu.queensu.ca/

D.E.E.P.: University of Toronto’s daVinci Engineering Enrichment Program is is part of the University of Toronto’s Engineering Outreach Programs .  DEEP is for gifted and highly motivated high school students who wish to advance their study in a variety of areas of engineering. DEEP is a week long program (there is a choice of weeks) and it is held at the St. George campus (downtown Toronto). There is also a residence option available.

Youth Summer Programs at University of Toronto: These programs are offered during July and August for high school students who are interested in a career in either medical sciences or the legal field. The Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Law will provide academic programs for students with their faculty at the university facilities. The program runs a variety of modules from July to August.

Western University Engineering – Summer Programs:  For grades 9 – 12.  Programs include Leadership, Robotics, Girls Only, and Programs in Specific Disciplines of Engineering.

Boyd Archaeological Field School at TRCA:  Earn a credit (IDC4U1) while doing real archaeological field work.  This 17 day course will run during July.  This program is open to students who have completed their grade 10 year.  Applications are due May 1.

re:action 4 inclusion – is a 3 day leadership conference in March at YMCA Geneva Park Conference Centre, Orillia.  The focus of this conference is to promote inclusion and building a sense of community to ensure that those who have an intellectual disability don’t get left behind.  To register or for details got to www.communitylivingontario.ca  or contact Linda White at 1-800-278-8025 ext 239

House of Commons Page Program: Students who plan to attend university in the National Capital Region may apply to this program. Pages are a key element in the communications network on Parliament Hill and students who participate will have a unique opportunity to meet and work with our federal politicians. Students in this program will work a minimum of 15 hours per week (coordinated with their academic schedule). Students applying for this program must be Canadian citizens, beginning a university program, have an overall academic average of at least 80%, and have a superior knowledge of both official languages. The application is available in October and is due by early December for positions in the following year.

Explore Without Limits: French Language Bursary Program: Discover another region of Canada and use this opportunity to improve your knowledge of French. Explore offers you five weeks full of opportunities to make discoveries, meet new people, and exchange ideas in a stimulating setting for learning your second language. Participants in Explore receive a $2,000 bursary covering tuition fees for the course, instructional materials, meals, and accommodation. Choose either a spring session (May – June ) or a summer session (June – August).

Encounters With Canada: This is a youth forum held in Ottawa, focusing on citizenship and leadership. Youth from across Canada participate in a week long program of workshops and activities, they will take exclusive tours of parliament and meet noteworthy Canadians.

Katimavik: The Katimavik program allows youth to make a positive impact on communities across Canada through volunteering.

Boyd Archaeological Field School at TRCA:  Students complete a Grade 12 Interdisciplinary Studies Credit (IDC4U) while participating in all aspects of an actual excavation.  Students MUST have completed grade 10 by the time the course starts.

Vancouver Film School – Summer Intensives:  VSF has one week programs in a variety of areas including Acting, Animation, Art and Design, Film Production, Game Design, Make-up, Sound, and Writing.

Cornell University Summer College Program: Cornell University is an IVY League school offering summer programs for talented high school students.  Students can select either a 3 week or a 6 week program.  Application deadlines begin in March (depending on the program of choice) and applications are extensive, so make sure to start your application early.

Oxford Study Courses for IB and preIB Diploma Programme StudentsUniversity of St. Andrews – Creative Writing and Scottish Studies Summer Program:  This is a 4 week residential program offered to students who have completed their grade 10 (or higher) studies. Students will have opportunities to go on excursions and visit important sites, have a full recreation and social program provided, and learn from professors, graduate students and guest speakers.

Study Abroad Programs:

Blyth Education

MEI International Academy

Neuchatel Junior College

International Exchange Opportunities:

The HWDSB has agreements with specific exchange organizations.  Please check out information on the HWDSB website.

Rotary Club/Rotary International Youth Exchange

Updated on Tuesday, May 19, 2020.
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