Monday, July 28, 2008
Shad Valley program opens young minds to science
Through participation in this international program, exceptional students in Grades 10 to 12 will spend a month living in residence at a Canadian host university and will engage in a summer enrichment program that focuses on the sciences, engineering and entrepreneurship.
"The McMaster Shad Valley program has been helping top students in high school find an edge in the world of academia and research for about 10 years," said Doug Boreham, associate professor in the Department of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences and director of the McMaster Shad Valley program. "It's an adventure that these young high achievers would not be able to benefit from except in a University setting, and it provides exposure to different disciplines for a multi-faceted experience."
This year, the Shad Valley participants will complete a special component, only available at McMaster. The Faculty of Science and the McMaster Shad Valley Program will spend one week prototyping a new Honours Integrated Science (iSci) B.Sc. program that will start in September 2009.
This component of Shad Valley ran from July 10 to 15, during which time the high school students planned a mission to Mars and met Canadian astronaut Dave Williams.
"We hope that we will eventually see some of the Shad Valley students applying to the iSci program," said Carolyn Eyles, professor in the School of Geography & Earth Sciences and chair of the Development and Instructional Committees for iSci. "They are just the kind of extremely focused, high achieving, well rounded students we are looking for in the program."
Eyles continued, "The iSci program is designed to produce students that will be able to understand how scientific thought is created and communicated. Students will be taught by interdisciplinary teams of instructors in laboratory and field settings as well as in lectures, workshops and tutorials. Much of the program content will be taught as thematic modules such as 'Deflecting an Astroid,' or 'Averting a Pandemic.' This thematic approach will allow students to understand the connections between various scientific disciplines and the relevance of science to modern society."
The Shad Valley students were expected to complete the one-week iSci component in much the same way as future iSci undergraduate students, albeit simplified due to the condensed time frame. The students demonstrated their work during a poster competition on July 14 and met Dave Williams, astronaut, physician and director of the new McMaster Centre for Medical Robotics.
"Shad Valley is an excellent enrichment program and it gives us an opportunity to showcase and model the iSci program," said John Capone, dean, Faculty of Science. "The goal of the iSci program is to produce broadly-educated individuals who will have an exceptional level of scientific literacy and will be able to contribute to any modern field of science and beyond."
For more information about the iSci program, please contact Eyles at eylesc@mcmaster.ca or Boreham at boreham@mcmaster.ca.
Lynn Easson-Irvine
McMaster Daily News
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
PSN announces partnership with Shad Valley
As a leader in the oil and gas sector, PSN is committed to supporting the development of youth throughout the Province. Robert Hunt, Vice President of East Coast Operations for PSN, said "The young people of this province are the future leaders of our organizations. We are pleased to support programs such as Shad Valley that help provide educational experiences and insight to the potential opportunities offered by our industry."
Long involved in providing learning experiences and programs in Canada, Shad Valley links youth and teachers to programs and work experiences to help them develop leadership abilities, creativity, entrepreneurial passion and other skills that are essential for success in business community.
The student placed with PSN will be exposed to a variety of engineering disciplines and will have the opportunity to move around the office to participate and assist wherever possible gaining hands on experience. This will afford the student valuable experience and foresight into the oil and gas industry and an awareness of the career opportunities that exist for these young students as they plan for their future careers.
This new partnership between PSN and Shad Valley will see young students enter into the workforce to learn essential skills they will need to ensure their future success. "We are very pleased to have PSN as a partner. Without the support of organizations such as PSN we would not be able to provide these much needed opportunities to our young people. These internships provide great learning opportunities and allow youth a competitive advantage in planning their future," said Mary Dever, National Director of Development for Shad Valley.
Shad Valley is a four week summer enrichment program. Students spend a month living in residence at one of the host university campuses across Canada. The program is offered to students currently completing grade 10, 11 or 12, with a focus that includes the sciences, technology and entrepreneurship. The Shad Valley program provides an academically stimulating, mind expanding adventure for top well-rounded students.
PSN is a major global service contractor to oil, gas and other process industries and is one of the top ten largest private Scottish companies. It provides engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to Petro-Canada's East Coast Canada operations and to the Hibernia offshore oil and gas field off the coast of Newfoundland, and is considered the major brownfield service provider in the region.
Media Contact:
Kristie Cochrane for PSN
Office: 709-738-5116
Cell: 709-697-1107
kristie@m5pr.ca
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Shad Valley Open Day July 24, 2008
What happens when a diverse group of high school students from across Canada come together in the spirit of science, technology, and entrepreneurship? What will the Shads of 2008 dream up?
Visit Open Day on Thursday, July 24 at one of our twelve host campuses to find out that and more… Open Day includes opportunities to witness and appreciate the abilities of exceptional high school students from across Canada. Participants will present the fruits of their Shad Valley labour and answer questions about their innovations.
A variety show will follow. These events are free and open to the public. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a glimpse at the leaders of tomorrow.
Become part of the Shad experience: it’s fun, it’s entertaining, and it’s truly amazing to see what these students have accomplished in four short weeks.
Visit this link to see the Open Day schedules for each Shad Valley campus: http://www.shad.ca/shad/myweb.php?hls=10171
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Shad Valley International announces new Chairperson, welcomes former Group President, Health Care of MDS Inc., John Morrison
“I have been involved with Shad Valley as a parent, as a regular board member over the past five years, and more recently, as the Chair this past year. It has been a great honour to serve with my fellow board members and I am proud of the work we have done together,” says Edmée Métivier Executive Vice President, Financing & Consulting, Business Development Bank of Canada. “I am thrilled to see my esteemed fellow Board member, Mr. Morrison as the new Chair, as he brings extensive business acumen and expertise to this very special organization. I wish him great success.”
“We have been so fortunate to have outstanding professionals on the Shad Board during my time as President. The governance and guidance of leaders like Edmée and John, and others before them, has moved Shad towards higher levels of success,” explains Barry Bisson, President of Shad Valley International. “We continue to advance in positive ways as an organization, and we look forward to demonstrating our effectiveness in inspiring 600+ high potential students to achieve their goals and reach their highest academic and career objectives.”
John Morrison has been a member of the Shad Valley Board for two years. He is a business consultant whose past experience has included the positions of Group President and CEO of Healthcare at MDS Inc., a health and life sciences company, and President and CEO of MDS Nordion, a supplier of isotopes to the global nuclear medicine and sterilization communities. John was also President and CEO of Continental Can Canada, a diversified packaging company.
“I feel privileged to be part of an organization that can contribute to Canada’s future knowledge economy, says John Morrison. “I look forward to leading this exceptional team of professionals, and continue the outstanding work that has been done over the past 27 years stimulating exceptional students.” John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick. In addition to serving on the board of Shad Valley International, he is a board member and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and a member of the International Expert Panel of the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation. He is a past Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Guelph.
About Shad Valley:
Shad Valley identifies outstanding talent at a young age; helps them develop an entrepreneurial mindset; encourages them to consider fields of study that will increase Canada’s innovation capacity; and motivates them to take advantage of their advantage. Shad is a Canadian not-for-profit registered charity based in Waterloo, Ontario. The award-winning Shad Valley program was launched in 1981, and is hosted at 12 leading Canadian universities each summer. 600+ high-potential students benefit from the Shad Valley experience each summer and Shad currently boasts a network of over 10,000 Shad Valley alumni, including 18 Rhodes Scholars, and numerous award winning business and academic leaders.
Province recognizes importance of innovation, provides funding for Shad Valley youth enrichment program
2008 marks the second instalment of a three-year funding commitment to Shad Valley International. The Waterloo, Ontario based organization offers summer enrichment programs to students in grade 10, 11 and 12. The four week program helps students develop an entrepreneurial mindset, encourages them to consider fields of study that will increase Canada’s innovation capacity, and motivates them to take advantage of their advantage and make an impact.
“Increasing Alberta’s innovation is a priority for future business and economic prosperity. The province is in need of strategies to advance its environmental, social, and economic growth,” explains Doug Horner, Alberta Advanced Education and Technology Minister. “These strategies will be initiated and implemented by our future leaders who are developed in programs like Shad Valley.”
This year, close to 60 students from Alberta will benefit from the Shad Valley program during the month of July. Currently, Alberta has the third highest provincial enrollment rates in the program.
The province and Alberta businesses also engage strongly in Shad’s internship program, which complements the academic Shad Valley session with real-world business experience. 20% of all Shad Valley internships nationally were offered in Alberta to Alberta participants in 2007. This number reflects both the vibrant economy in the province as well as the desire by Alberta companies to introduce bright, innovative talent to their companies at an early stage. In 2007, five placements were offered by the Alberta Government in the departments of Education, Environment, Sustainable Resource Development, Agriculture and Food, and Advanced Education
“Canada faces the growing problem of a shrinking labour force and retiring baby-boomers. The youth of today will affect our national and global economy tomorrow. Alberta has recognized the need for student programs where youth can be exposed to the business arena,” says Horner.
“Our three-year plan with Alberta solidifies their commitment to providing leadership and innovation opportunities for students,” said Barry Bisson, President of Shad Valley International. “As well, it raises other provinces’ awareness and encourages them to provide their youth with the same competitive advantage that Albertan students have: the chance to be part of a life-directing, life-changing experience and to take their places as the leaders of tomorrow.”
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Shad Valley International is a not-for-profit registered charity. The award-winning Shad Valley program was launched in 1981, and is hosted at 12 leading Canadian universities each summer, including the University of Calgary since 1984. Over 600 high-potential students benefit from the Shad Valley experience each summer and Shad currently boasts a network of over 10,000 Shad Valley alumni, including 18 Rhodes Scholars, and countless award winning business and academic leaders.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Shad Valley: The Olympics of entrepreneurship – where dedication, passion and drive produce champions of innovation
While the 2008 Olympic summer games will have the world’s eye focused on athletic talent, there is no particular time of the year when people are scheduled to tune in to business. Daily, leaders of innovation are showcasing their strengths, ideas and talents that are shaping the economy year-round. However, during the month of July, for the past 28 years, students from across Canada have been taking part in their own Olympic event, dedicated to focusing on academic talent.
Shad Valley is a program that offers youth in Grades 10, 11, and 12, with strengths in science, math, and technology, the opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. Students emerge with a better concept of the business world at a young age and can begin exercising their entrepreneurial muscle. From the get-go, these young entrepreneurial athletes are equipped with the skills to enter the real-world of business, to think and plan like leaders, and develop innovative ideas that will fuel the economy in the coming years.
“At Shad, students are given the opportunity to think and come up with ideas on a larger scale than they would initially conceive. Shad Valley is the training ground for tomorrow’s global business leaders,” explains Barry Bisson, President of Shad International. “We have alumni working on the multi-national front, whose ideas are influencing global changes. They got there because they each carry a torch for innovation.”
With many established alumni since the program began in 1981, and 620 new students welcomed every summer, Shad Valley has conceivably a very large roster of intelligent, motivated leaders. Those who have made it to the proverbial Olympic level are among these alumni. They have embraced their talents, pursued a marketable idea, and expanded that idea into their own business.
So where is the Olympic level for Shad Valley’s entrepreneurs? “It is always growing and changing,” explains Kunal Gupta, a 2005 Shad Valley alumnus. Kunal’s organization, Impact, based in Waterloo, Ontario, is a non-profit organization which promotes entrepreneurship to youth across the country. “To compete on a global scale, you have to think globally or else your venture will never break into other markets. Shad Valley taught me to embrace my talents and transfer them to a larger degree of entrepreneurial thinking.”
Another alumna making big waves is Jennifer Corriero, Shad ’98, co-founder of Taking IT Global, bringing technology and communication to nations around the world. She describes her hard work in business as being, “The marathon of a lifetime.” She explains that to compete with others on a larger scale, you have to envision something outside of your realm and break boundaries frequently. “Shad Valley prepared me to become a leader and opened my eyes to the winning formula of entrepreneurship. Sacrifice, success, hard work, team work, and of course innovation – these are the elements of a gold winning team.”
Michael Brown, a fellow alumnus, would agree. He has held a position at Research in Motion in Waterloo, Ontario since his Shad work placement there in 1995. Working in software development, Michael’s work has led to many patents under his name and a spot in a globally recognized company. “Shad provided the launch pad for my career and readied me for the high stake world of business at RIM. There is so much investment put into innovation – all great ideas were once in someone’s mind – and Shad recognizes the key to unlocking them and generating success.”
Some people are born with the ability to compete in either physical or mental situations. Similar to the role that the Olympics play in recognizing the most talented athletes around the world, Shad Valley has done the same for youth in education.
Shad Alumna receives prestigious thesis award
The Master's Thesis award rotates, on a four-year schedule, amongst the following subject areas: Arts and Humanities; Agricultural, Biological and Health Sciences; Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering; Social Sciences and Education. The prestigious award is open to students at all leading Eastern Canadian universities (Ontario to Newfoundland) and all Northeastern U.S. universities, including the Ivy League schools. The Arts and Humanities award will be granted again in 2012.
Amanda earned her Bachelors degree in English from Mount Allison University, followed by her Master of Arts from Memorial University in Newfoundland. Her winning dissertation focuses on the work of Canadian poet Richard Outram, specifically on the significance of whole-part structures, in theme and form, in Mr. Outram's oeuvre.
Congratulations to Amanda for this outstanding honour!