Ignite youth potential.
Create lasting impact.
Founded in 1981 in Aurora, Ontario, Shad Canada has grown into a national platform that partners with leading post-secondary institutions across the country to deliver immersive STEAM and entrepreneurship programs for high school students. What began as a bold idea has become a launchpad for youth potential, empowering more than 25,000 alumni to carry Shad’s spirit of creativity, resilience, and leadership into universities, careers, and communities across Canada and beyond.
Our mission is to ignite youth potential through transformative learning with a vision to create lasting impact by inspiring a generation of innovators and leaders. At Shad, we believe every young person has the ability to ask big questions, take bold steps, and shape a brighter future. By helping students discover their passions, build confidence, and join a lifelong community of changemakers, we aim to strengthen Canada’s future and contribute to a better world.
We cherish the freedom to explore, create, and innovate.
We aspire to excellence in all we do.
We are committed to the respect, cooperation, and shared fun that builds a powerful, supportive community, while remaining mindful of the safety and well-being of that community.
We value diversity and open discussion.
Our behaviour is always governed by respect for others
and the highest standards of ethical conduct.
A broadened set of options and paths.
A heightened social consciousness and desire to make a difference in the world.
The ability to see problems and needs.
The confidence and courage to tackle problems that appear unsolvable.
The skills to solve.
Willingness to try new things and take appropriate risks.
Accept failure as part of learning.
Adapt, thrive and persevere in the face of challenges.
Discover the value of collaborating with motivated and passionate students.
A peer network to count on.
Access to mentors who challenge and support.
Think outside the box, think critically, collaborate, demonstrate empathy, communicate effectively, lead self and others.
Recognize and use skills to make change.
