Shad ULethbridge inspires high schoolers in STEAM and entrepreneurship

caroline.zentner — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 21:08:39 +0000

At the beginning of July, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge welcomed high school students from across Canada for the first time through Shad Canada, a program designated for students in Grades 10 and 11.

Upon their arrival, students were introduced to a real-world design challenge, which was shared across all Shad campuses in 2024. This year’s challenge poses the question: "How might we help people in Canada integrate affordable and reliable green energy sources into their everyday lives to create more sustainable communities?"

Shad Canada students enjoy a game of double ball.

To tackle this challenge, which cultivates skills in solving urgent social and economic issues, students were organized into groups and expected to present a solution at the end of their stay. Activities and lectures were chosen to complement the comprehensive design challenge and appeal to students whose sights are set on STEAM and entrepreneurial futures. Key moments from the first week at Shad Lethbridge included a visit to Dr. Claudia Gonzalez's (MSc '00, PhD '04) brain lab in the kinesiology and physical education department, where she discussed cognitive processes like language, executive function, and spatial abilities. Additionally, Dr. Danny Le Roy, an economics professor, gave a lecture on the economy and renewable energy resources.

“The economic presentation was really interesting,” said Hamza Obeidi, a student from Kitchener, Ontario, who dreams of going into biomedical engineering. “I thought economy was just money and business, but our instructor showed us how economy ties into everything.”

Students also participated in an Indigenous Learning Day filled with activities such as double-ball and immersive Blackfoot cultural experiences. Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) ’72, DASc ’04), vice-provost of Iniskim Indigenous Relations, along with Shane Gordon McDougall, a third-year Indigenous Studies student and Student Council Indigenous representative, and Caroline Russell (BA/BEd ’04), an instructor in the Department of Indigenous Studies, organized the activities.

“I particularly enjoyed throwing the arrow into the hoop. Even though I didn’t make it in, it was still enjoyable to learn,” said Raina Garland, a Métis student who was a two-time silver medalist at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). “Participating in these Indigenous games further connects me to my heritage.”

In addition to on-campus learning, the program also includes organized excursions across southern Alberta, allowing participants to explore the region's landscapes and cultural heritage, including a two-night camping trip to Sylvan Lake and a visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

Jayden Li, a student from Mississauga, Ontario, applied to Shad ULethbridge for the entrepreneurial aspects of the program’s offerings. He has since discovered that the connections he’s made and excursions contribute significantly to his overall experience.

“I think the best time I’ve had so far was the camping trip. We sang campfire songs, went rock climbing and canoeing,” says Li. “I actually flipped my canoe, which was fun.”

Learn more about Shad Canada.

ULethbridge to host students from across country through new Shad Canada partnership

trevor.kenney — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:14:08 +0000

High school students from across Canada will have the chance to participate in a unique summer study program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge thanks to a new partnership with Shad Canada — an Ontario-based organization offering experiential STEAM and entrepreneurship learning opportunities.

Grade 10 and 11 students are eligible to take part in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics)-focused program that incorporates a hands-on, collaborative learning approach with access to academic and entrepreneurial mentors. ULethbridge joins a growing network of 22 universities from across Canada that play host to the month-long program each July.

The Shad program encourages students to collaborate and build meaningful relationships outside of their home province.

“I am very excited about this partnership because it will attract high-school students to visit ULethbridge and participate in various activities on campus as well as in Lethbridge and throughout the surrounding area,” says Dr. Trushar Patel, chemistry & biochemistry researcher and associate dean in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

Dr. Matt Letts, dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science, says the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is proud to showcase the ULethbridge experience to such a promising group of young minds.

“We are delighted by this new partnership with Shad Canada, which highlights ULethbridge as a national leader in the delivery of quality hands-on learning experience at all stages, and to do so within one of the finest research and training facilities in Canada,” adds Letts.

The Shad program encourages students to collaborate and build meaningful relationships outside of their home province. Each campus, and each design team, has a mix of rural and urban participants from diverse economic backgrounds. Students learn the value of their own perspective and the differing perspectives of those around them.

“Adding another campus in Alberta helps us to meet the demand of Canadian youth looking for a summer STEAM and entrepreneurship experience,” says Tim Jackson, President and CEO, Shad Canada. “The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s approach to research-informed teaching and learning is exactly the type of university partner we are excited to work with.”

The Shad program is rooted in the principles of equity, diversity and inclusivity and aligns with the ULethbridge philosophy of creating a safe space for all students to express their diverse voice.

“We are purposeful about reaching students in Black, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ communities and students with disabilities who are traditionally underrepresented,” says Jackson. “We have partnered with 20 community groups across the country to reach students with a variety of lived experiences. We are building a learning environment that includes diverse campus teams and student bodies so more participants can see themselves in mentors, keynote speakers, team leaders and ultimately, in a future in a STEAM or entrepreneurship career path.”

Shad students work together over a 27-day period to design a solution to a real-world problem such as water management or food security. ULethbridge’s liberal education approach that supports critical thinking through an interdisciplinary lens will serve as an ideal learning environment for students.

“Students at ULethbridge are taught to explore problems from multiple perspectives and disciplines. This well-rounded approach to solving issues equips students with the skills to fully understand complex issues and sets them up for success in whatever career they choose,” adds Patel.

About Shad Canada

Shad Canada is a STEAM and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11. During the month-long program students live on campus and participate in a real-world design challenge that prepares them to take on social and economic challenges. Shad’s program is transformational and life-changing, and many Shad alumni go on to innovate and start their own businesses. Shad has 22 campus partners, a network of more than 22,000 program graduates and has been running STEAM programs since 1980. Learn more at shad.ca.

About ULethbridge

Founded in 1967 on traditional Blackfoot land, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge welcomes approximately 8,900 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world to its campuses in Lethbridge and Calgary each year. ULethbridge fosters a learning community that meets the educational and personal growth needs of its students by emphasizing teaching excellence; exposure to research; information literacy; interaction with professors and instructors; effective academic advising, applied learning opportunities and career counselling; and a spectrum of cultural, recreational and extracurricular opportunities.

UNews - Shad Canada

Shad ULethbridge inspires high schoolers in STEAM and entrepreneurship

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ULethbridge to host students from across country through new Shad Canada partnership

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