More than 60 grade 10 and grade 11 students from across Canada are leaving Wilfrid Laurier University with more knowledge, business skills, and core memories after spending a month living and learning on Laurier’s Waterloo campus as part of the Shad Laurier program.

“We came for the academics, but we are leaving with friends we’re going to have for the rest of our lives,” says Shaan Shah, a high school student from Brampton, who said the highlight for him was a camping trip to Guelph Lake Conservation Area and the friends he made from Vancouver.

The experiential program brings high potential secondary school students from across Canada to further develop their skills and knowledge in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics (STEAM) and entrepreneurship in a university setting. Students participate in activities on Laurier’s Waterloo campus and visit the Brantford campus.

Shah was part of the winning team for the Design Entrepreneurship Challenge, which encouraged students to think creatively about ways to support green transportation. The winning pitch addressed the problem of cyclists looking down at their phones while they are biking.