University of Waterloo Summer Program

Catalyst Summer Program

The Catalyst Summer Program is a 2-week program that offers a unique, interdisciplinary approach to the “traditional leadership program”. Drawing from the University of Waterloo’s strengths in engineering, science, and innovation, high school students develop leadership skills within a community and problem-based context - with real opportunities to put new skills to practice!

Applications LINK

It focuses on engaging and educating youth to maximize their potential as leaders, encouraging them to participate and positively contribute in their schools, communities and beyond!

·         Secondary Growing Leadership (May 5-9) - This course is for students who are interested, or have a need for leadership development. These leaders may struggle with academics or personal organization, and/or access learning support services in their school. Teacher supports are encouraged to register for this course and engage in the professional development sessions being offered by one of our staff, a Special Education Resource Teacher. (See attached SGL Flyer)

·         Secondary Arts – Inspiring Leadership (June 26 – July 2) Secondary Arts empowers students to use their creativity and passion to make a positive impact within their classrooms, school and communities. In this course, students will explore their own personal leadership styles and skills through many mediums of the arts, including music (vocal and instrumental), dance, visual arts and drama.

·         Course for Credit - PLF4M – Recreation and Healthy Active Living Leadership (July 1-15) – This 15-day, 1.0 credit course, is an incredible opportunity to earn a college/university track course in an immersive outdoor education environment at OELC. Offered in partnership with YRDSB this course will provide students a unique opportunity to learn mentorship and leadership skills with the well-being of themselves and others in mind. (See attached PLF4M flyer)

·         Secondary Athletics (July 2-8 or July 9-15) - Secondary Athletics Leadership uses sport, recreation, and physical activity to harness leadership potential. Through leadership development experiences, activity sessions and roundtable discussions students will identify how they can lead within their classrooms, school, and communities. Students returning to OELC have the option to enroll in the Youth Facilitator (YF) in Training stream of Secondary Athletics and potentially become a YF for our intermediate courses. This year we have an exchange group from NZ and Australia joining us for week 2!

·         Leadership Sportif – (July 22-28) – Similar to our Secondary Athletics program but this program is offered in French.  See website for details.

·         Secondary School Leadership (Oct. 10-12 or Oct. 15-17) Individual representatives or multiple council members are invited to attend SSL to ignite community, inclusion and belonging within their school! Leaders will be inspired to discover their voice as “partners in education” and develop a student-initiated action plan to implement upon return to their schools. Participants may come from student unity, athletics or arts councils, clubs/committees, Link Crew, transition teams or social justice/advocacy groups and more! SHSM students, ask Ms Vieira how this content could check off a leadership skills and/or communication certificate.

CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS: 

LINK

If you need assistance, come by Workroom 214 and ask.

Mr Pearce

Leadership Opportunity - For Gr 10s only. Deadline is in one week

There is a leadership opportunity for Grade 10 students being offered through the Central Ontario Leadership Seminar (COLS).  Based on an application process here at IRHS, one grade 10 student can be selected to attend a three-day event from May 25th – 27th, 2018. The event is held at University of Toronto, Mississauga.  All expenses, except for transportation to and from the site, are paid for by sponsoring community clubs, corporate sponsors, and individual philanthropists.  Additional details will follow.

The goals of COLS are:

• Encourage and prepare the next generation of Canada's civic, social and corporate leaders.
• Provide young leaders with forums to learn "how" to think, not "what" to think, by offering independent and interactive opportunities for critical thinking.
• Encourage personal growth by promoting positive thinking, goal setting and community involvement.

Feel free to visit their website at: www.cols.ca

The application process includes a short essay on the following question:  “Write about a time you had to think outside the box. How did you do it? What was the result?”  

By Friday, February 16th, compose a 75-100 word answer to the question above and share it with Mr. Pearce.  A candidate will be selected from the submitted applications shortly after that time.  

Should you have any questions please feel free to ask.

15th Annual Hamilton Brain Bee at McMaster University
Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Time:  The competition will begin at 1pm.
Location:  Psychology Building (Building 34 on this map), McMaster campus, room 155.

Registration

Registration (for Wednesday, April 11, 2018) is open!

How to prepare

High school students in the Hamilton-Halton and surrounding area from grades 9 through 12 are welcome to compete at the local brain bee.  Students demonstrate their knowledge about the brain and neuroscience, including fascinating topics involving intelligence, memory, emotions, sensations, movement, stress, aging, sleep, addiction, and more. Participating is a valuable experience that you can add to your resume — not to mention the possibility of winning prizes and fame!

All the questions will come from Neuroscience: Science of the Brain.

There are other resources that you might find useful and inspiring!
For example: Brain Facts and the Brain Facts Book

Prizes

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a plaque and cash prizes!  The 1st place winner’s name will be engraved on the Hamilton Brain Bee perpetual traveling trophy plaque and this plaque will be displayed in the trophy case at their school for one year.  The 1st place winner will also represent Hamilton at the Annual CIHR Canadian National Brain Bee May 26, 2018. Graduate students from our department will help the winner prepare for the national event.  Additional exciting prizes are awarded at the national competition each year.  The 2018 CIHR Canadian Brain Bee champion will win a trip for two to represent Canada at the International Brain Bee competition (details coming).

Please note that there are nearby local brain bee competitions held in Waterloo, Guelph, and Toronto.  Students may not compete in more than one local brain bee competition each year, and must at the location that is closest geographically to their high school.

Encounters With Canada

February 11-17: Food and Technology!!

Get ready to find out what new ideas will bring food to your plate in the future!

Do you have a passion for innovation and using technology to solve global
challenges? The world will need 60% more food by 2050 and Canada needs young
people with fresh ideas to help meet the demand.

Sponsored by Farm Credit Canada, the week in Ottawa includes:
 Meet industry leaders, such as biotechnologists, sustainable food specialists
and agribusiness managers
 Go from laboratory to field to discover the great variety of tech and food
careers

Other activities include:
 A guided tour of the City, a visit to the Parliament,
 Visit the Agricultural & Food Museum
 Connect with the future and visit the newly renovated Museum of
Science & Technology
 Skating on the Rideau Canada (weather permitting) where you can
taste Ottawa’s famous Beaver Tails

$100 off registration fees - Limited funds and spaces!