More than 60 Grade 10 and 11 students from across Canada are leaving Wilfrid Laurier University with new experiences in leadership, innovation and community engagement.

The students participated in the Shad Laurier program, a month-long experiential learning initiative designed to build high-potential high school students’ skills and knowledge in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics (STEAM), and entrepreneurship.

Throughout July, Shad Laurier participants engaged in activities beyond the typical classroom experience. They participated in a camping trip, panel discussions with Laurier alumni and City of Waterloo councillors, and the Laurier StartUp Lab. The program also featured lectures by Laurier faculty and staff on diverse topics including immunology, game design and Indigeneity, along with hands-on experiences including lab exercises and workshops in art and engineering. The month concluded with a celebratory closing banquet, recognizing students’ accomplishments and the skills they developed through the program.