Laurier selected as Shad Canada university partner

by ahnationtalk on November 19, 2019457 Views

Nov. 19, 2019

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University will become one of Shad Canada’s newest university partners in 2020. As a Shad campus, Laurier will run Shad’s STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and entrepreneurship program for students in grades 10 and 11.

“Shad Canada’s emphasis on hands-on learning, community-building, and culturally diverse and Indigenous programming, strongly align with Laurier’s strategic focus preparing future-ready students within a culture of engagement,” said Deborah MacLatchy, Laurier’s president and vice-chancellor. “We are thrilled to partner with Shad to ignite young minds and look forward to welcoming their scholars as part of Laurier’s academic community.”

Shad Canada’s month-long program operates at 19 universities across Canada each July. The program attracts students with high aptitudes for risk taking, curiosity, excellence and resilience, and prepares them to take on social and economic challenges.

“Shad is a catalyst for students to discover new areas of study, access academics and business leaders, and reach new heights of personal development,” said Tim Jackson, Shad chief executive officer. “Having Laurier part of the team will expose Shads to a strong interdisciplinary approach to STEAM-education and address the growing waitlist for our summer program.”

Shad students work together for 27 days to design a solution to a real-world problem such as food security, water management, and waste. Laurier’s interdisciplinary approach to such challenges, along with its business, science, mathematics and arts programming, will provide a strong foundation to support students in their Shad design challenge.

Shad Canada operates at 19 universities in the country. Students from across Canada apply to participate in Shad’s programs. Once selected, the 1,000 students are paired with a university away from their home community and live on campus for the duration of the program. Laurier will welcome 56 students to its program from July 5 to 31, 2020.

“Shad was an intellectually stimulating and challenging environment, but it was also an environment where we got to meet fellow students from all over the country with all sorts of different views,” said Ken Maly, vice dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Science and a Shad ’92 alum.

Maly co-chairs Laurier’s Shad program with Julie Hummel, associate registrar for recruitment and admissions. Dana Montgomery, international recruitment and admissions officer and Sunny Wang, associate director: department of mathematics, are Laurier’s Shad program directors.

Laurier will formally launch its partnership at an event in the spring. Read more about Laurier and Shad.

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About Shad Canada: Shad Canada is a STEAM and entrepreneurship program for students in grade 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’s go on to innovate and start their own businesses. Shad has 19 campus partners, a network of 18,000 program graduates and has been running STEAM programs since 1980. Learn more at shad.ca.

About Wilfrid Laurier University: Wilfrid Laurier University excels at educating with purpose. Laurier’s holistic approach to learning integrates innovative programming with hands-on experience outside the classroom to ensure Laurier graduates are not only future-ready but are inspired to leave their mark on the world. Community is at the heart of all we do. Laurier inspires students to engage in campus life and the broader community, leading to high levels of student satisfaction and engaged alumni who carry the Laurier legacy throughout the world. As a community of researchers, leaders and educators, Laurier builds knowledge that serves society and creates connections that have a lasting impact. Learn more about Laurier’s 19,000+ students in nine faculties and federated university college at wlu.ca.

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