Isobel thanked the club for helping her attend SHAD in Thunderbay at Lakehead University in July. She arrived June 30th and came home July 26th.
There were about 2,600 applications for SHAD across the country, and only about 1,000 spots across about 16 Universities in Canada. There were 65 students at Lakehead.
Shad Valley started in Aurora, Ontario in 1989 and has grown into Shad Canada which offers a widespread STEAM and entrepreneurship program for students at 17 university campuses each year. More than 18,000 students have completed the Shad program.
MISSION:
To empower exceptional youth to make the world a better place.
Shad’s values are a critical component of the culture, codes of conduct and selection process of Shad program participants and volunteers. It is through these values that Shad can maintain the inclusive and diverse culture that it is known for.
Isobel attended lectures and workshops on business, how to start and run a business. Also on Sciences such as cancer treatment.
They took field trips for both education and recreation. They did a lot in Teams. There was not a lot of free time during the 27 days. The visited an amethyst mine, a fish hatchery and canyon. The slept over at the Sleeping Giant Park (bugs bad), some walked into Lake Superior, visited Fort William (like Lang Pioneer Village with people playing historical roles), astronomy / observatory, Terry Fox memorial on highway and local colour festival.
SHAD Speaks - each student had to prepare a short 10 minute presentation of their choice before arriving, to be given at random during the days there. She found some of these very interesting, the diversity of student interests. Isobel's was on stem cell research. She learned a lot from these presentations. A particular favourite was regarding 'rewards' and their value to us such as cash vs emotional rewards that may have more meaning and lasting impact on us.
They had projects to complete in their teams. Isobel was a team spokesperson / leader. There were 4 teams or 'firms'. One project was to create, design and sell SHAD clothing / gear. Such as T shirts, ball caps, toques, or pins. Money raised went to charity of collective student's choice.
Design CUP - their big project. They had to design something totally new related to waste. Teams had to brainstorm to come up with a unique idea, develop a business plan and posters and presentation to sell the idea. They finally came up with idea of a fish like drone that would clean up waste from lakes and oceans. Their business plan was 100 pages. Her team won award for best presentation. The presentations were live streamed so parents and friends could watch.
They dealt with media, first day some students including Isobel were interviewed by local media (film, radio and print).
The attended a SHAD apprentice program, they had to dress up and in pairs they went before judges to answer 2 questions. One question was why are packages delivered by trucks called 'shipments' and packages on ships called 'cargo'?
Isobel is now a SHAD Alumni. She learned a lot and made many new friends that she hopes and plans to use in her future.
R Jeff P thanked Isobel for sharing her experience with us.
