Laurier welcomes high school students from across Canada to prestigious STEAM program

July 3, 2023
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO – This July, Wilfrid Laurier University will welcome 64 Grade 10 and 11 students from across Canada to its campuses for the month-long 2023 Shad Canada program.

The program kicks off July 3 on the Waterloo campus with university-level science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) entrepreneurship content and mentorship. Students will participate in workshops, lectures and hands-on exercises throughout the month, facilitated by Laurier faculty, students and leaders in various fields, visiting both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. 

“It is inspiring to see so many engaged and talented high school students collaborating on how to make the world a better place through STEAM,” says Shad Laurier steering committee member and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, Richelle Monaghan. 

The Shad program encourages students to become team-oriented, use their creativity to problem solve, and apply their knowledge and skills to real-world contexts. Throughout the month, students can explore topics in a way unavailable in the traditional high school classroom.

“When you provide opportunities for like-minded youth to come together and collaborate on issues they care about using STEAM and entrepreneurship, the level of innovation and creativity that results is inspiring,” says Tim Jackson, president and CEO of Shad Canada. 

"Being the program director for Shad Laurier for the past three years has been truly rewarding,” says Sunny Wang, associate professor of Mathematics at Laurier. “It is exciting to see the life-changing impact Shad has on grade 10 and 11 students, providing them with opportunities to learn from some of the best researchers at Laurier and build life-long professional connections.”

Media and members of the Laurier community are invited to the “Open Day” on Thursday, July 27 on the Waterloo campus between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. in the Senate and Board Chamber. Open Day showcases the students' accomplishments during their time in the program. 

ABOUT SHAD CANADA 

Shad Canada is a month-long, nationwide program which provides opportunities for grade 10 and 11 students to engage in university-level STEAM and entrepreneurship projects. Through networking and teamwork-based tasks, students can meet life-long friends, mentors and other professional connections, empowering participants to tackle real-world social and economic problems. By partnering with universities nationwide, Shad provides its delegates with the opportunity to experience life on campus before they apply to post-secondary professional degree programs. Shad alumni have become some of the most influential leaders and innovators in STEAM fields and businesses worldwide. Learn more about this program by visiting shad.ca.