Laurier’s Brantford campus to host STEAM-focused high school students at 2024 Vision into the Future Conference

April 22, 2024
For Immediate Release

BRANTFORD — Climate change, artificial intelligence and the science of addiction will be on the agenda for nearly 800 high school students when they gather May 1 at the “2024 Vision into the Future Conference.”

The STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) event at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Brantford campus will provide future undergraduate students from Brantford and the County of Brant a first-hand look at university campus life in a state-of-the-art, experiential learning environment.

Students will participate in hands-on workshops focused on topics including computer coding, robotics and advances in surgical techniques. The conference’s seminars will address topics including artificial intelligence, biodiversity and the neuroscience of opioid addiction.

“We are excited to host the 2024 Vision into the Future Conference,” said Bruce McKay, dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. “We will be using every available classroom, meeting space and gathering space on campus to host these senior high school students focused on the sciences. When I was in high school, I was inspired to participate in a conference like this, crystallizing a lifelong passion for life sciences, social sciences and research. I’m confident our participants will have that same kind of transformative experience.”

Workshops and seminars will be led by experts from nearby universities and colleges including Laurier, the University of Waterloo, University of Guelph, McMaster University, Western University, Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of Toronto, Brock University, Queen’s University, Trent University, Mohawk College, Sheridan College, George Brown College and Niagara College.

Participating Laurier faculty members include:

• Bruce McKay, dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (FHSS) and dean of Wilfrid Laurier International College.
• Una Adamcic-Bistrivoda, lab instructor and lab coordinator for the FHSS.
• Scott Nicholson, professor and director of the Game Design and Development program.
• Sadeem M. Qureshi, assistant professor in the User Experience Design (UX) program.

The keynote speaker at the Vision into the Future Conference is Sam Demma, a best-selling author and popular public speaker in the education sector.

“Laurier’s Brantford campus is home to exceptional undergraduate programs across a wide range of disciplines,” said Beth Gurney, interim senior executive officer at Laurier’s Brantford campus. “We look forward to seeing future Golden Hawks discover the purple and gold passion and make a connection with Laurier.”

Attendees will arrive at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts at 9 a.m. for registration, welcome remarks and the keynote address by Demma. For more information, visit the 2024 Vision into the Future Conference website.