Impact that shapes Canada's future

From students and alumni to communities and industries, Shad empowers the next generation of innovators and changemakers.

For more than 45 years, Shad has been equipping Canada’s youth with the skills, confidence, and networks to lead in an ever-evolving world.

What started as a summer program and has grown into a lifelong community of innovators, leaders, and changemakers who are making a true impact.

With over 25,000 alumni, Shad’s impact extends far beyond individual participants and reverberates into communities, industries, and society.  Shad alumni mentor the next generation, collaborate across industries and bring bold ideas to life. Investing in Shad is investing in a future innovation and building a stronger Canada.

After 45 years, Shad’s impact continues to grow:

30

post-secondary campus partners

25,000+

Shad alumni worldwide

80+

community partners

1,800+

Canadian high schools with Shad alumni

> 60%

Shad alumni have established careers in STEAM

54+

countries representing Shad alumni

Impact through people

Learn more about our alumni network

Across industries, disciplines, and communities, Shad alumni are turning ideas into action. Their paths may differ, but they share a commitment to innovation, leadership, and creating positive change in the world around them.

Expanding our impact

For decades, Shad has helped young Canadians discover what they are capable of. We believe the ideas, experiences, and connections that help students thrive can also help shape the future of education. Through innovation, partnership, and new initiatives, Shad is exploring new ways to extend its impact beyond the program itself, bringing the same spirit of curiosity, possibility, and transformative learning to the broader educational community.

Learn more about our impact initiatives:

Future's
Day

A one-day immersive STEAM conference offering a taste of the Shad experience for Grades 9–11 students through workshops, speakers, campus tours, and networking across science, technology, business, and the arts.

Remote
Workshops

Shad delivers live, interactive virtual workshops through Connected North, bringing STEAM learning and exploration to students and teachers in more than 200 schools across remote communities in Northern Canada.

Help shape our impact

The impact of Shad is made possible by a community of supporters who believe in the potential of young people. Their generosity helps create opportunities, expand access, and empower future innovators, leaders, and changemakers. Together, we can ensure that even more young Canadians have the opportunity to discover what they are capable of.

Join a community creating impact across Canada and beyond.

Join Shad2026 Ambassadors Team