Shad Calgary
2022 INFORMATION GUIDE
In this spirited, high-quality learning environment, students will thrive in programs made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. In 2022, the University of Calgary has ranked in Canada’s top five research institutes, leading all major research universities in the creation of start-ups. We’re the youngest top-five research university and we’re just getting started.
The University of Calgary has more than 32,000 students across more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. The University’s commitment to providing leadership opportunities for its students is at the forefront of Canadian universities, accelerating its students towards leadership in all areas—the arts, athletics, science, engineering, philanthropy and business.
Among the University of Calgary’s alumni are many top political and business leaders, researchers, and athletes, including Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Mozilla Corporation CEO Gary Kovacs, and astronaut Bob Thirsk.
Calgary is a vibrant city that combines the best of all worlds. It’s professional but casual; western, but urban. Its proximity to national parks and historic landmarks only adds to its allure. Calgary’s academic and business communities boast an entrepreneurial “can-do” attitude, and this bold spirit has led to Calgary becoming Canada’s hotspot for the oil and gas industry, as well as a blossoming financial and alternative industries market.
In this spirited, high-quality learning environment, students will thrive in programs made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. In 2022, the University of Calgary has ranked in Canada’s top five research institutes, leading all major research universities in the creation of start-ups. We’re the youngest top-five research university and we’re just getting started.
The University of Calgary has more than 32,000 students across more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. The University’s commitment to providing leadership opportunities for its students is at the forefront of Canadian universities, accelerating its students towards leadership in all areas—the arts, athletics, science, engineering, philanthropy and business.
Among the University of Calgary’s alumni are many top political and business leaders, researchers, and athletes, including Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Mozilla Corporation CEO Gary Kovacs, and astronaut Bob Thirsk.
Calgary is a vibrant city that combines the best of all worlds. It’s professional but casual; western, but urban. Its proximity to national parks and historic landmarks only adds to its allure. Calgary’s academic and business communities boast an entrepreneurial “can-do” attitude, and this bold spirit has led to Calgary becoming Canada’s hotspot for the oil and gas industry, as well as a blossoming financial and alternative industries market.
- Arriving at Shad
- Your Shad Campus
Arriving at Shad
Shad2022 runs from July 3 to July 29. Participants should arrive at the University of Calgary Kananaskis Hall between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon (meaning that the best times to arrive at the Calgary Airport (YYC) would be between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.).
The first meal provided by the program will be dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Participants will be responsible for the cost of transportation between the airport and the University.
Participants should plan to spend approximately $45 on a cab from the airport to the campus. They should tell the driver to take them to Kananaskis Hall at the University of Calgary campus. A Shad team member will be waiting for you.
Participants should not take public transit, as it is not luggage nor navigation-friendly.
Your Shad Campus
Kananaskis Hall, named after a park system situated outside of Calgary and in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, will be your new home. You will be sharing a bedroom with a fellow Shad participant. The room will have a desk and chair for each of you, along with a fridge. The bathrooms are located in each wing. There is no air-conditioning or fans.
The Program Directors, Manager and Assistants will also live in residence, forming a close-knit community for the month. Each person will receive their own key.
A social area is located on the floor, where all participants can hang out in between and after the day’s activities. If not in the common area, visits from students who share your wing are allowed between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM. We ask that you then be in your own room and doors closed by 10:30 PM.
Room Details:
While bedding and towels are provided, do be sure to bring your own soap, shampoo, and other toiletries, as well as an extra towel (not white) or pillow if desired. Bedding will be changed every five days, and towels will be replaced every day.
- food
- residence key
- banking
- computers
- laundry
Food
Most of our meals will be eaten on campus. Keep in mind that it is a university, so the food may not be like your home-cooked meals. There will be a variety of food that accommodates most tastes.
Please ensure you let us know of any dietary requirements or allergies if you have not done so already.
Residence Key
You will be given residence keys for which you will be responsible. More information will be shared by your program director.
Banking
We recommend that you bring some pocket money with you for transportation to and from the airport, laundry, and purchasing souvenirs. There are no additional mandatory expenses.
There are bank ATMs available on campus should you need to withdraw additional funds.
Computers
You have an option to bring a laptop, tablet, or another personal computing device for research, word processing, and other tasks related to the program. Wi-Fi access is available in residence and elsewhere on campus. Shad team members will assist you with Wi-Fi setup upon arrival. The University and Shad Canada do not take any responsibility for lost/damaged/stolen valuables or property.
Laundry
There will be pay-per-use washers and dryers available. Laundry detergent is available on campus. If you have any allergies to certain types of detergent, please bring your own.
While there are no irons in the rooms, if needed, an iron can be borrowed for use.
Anis Haque
Program Co-Director
As founder of the not-for-profit organization, Association for the Advancement of Science and Engineering Education, Anis’ goal is to advance science and engineering education among pre-university students, with a primary focus on rural communities, First Nations peoples and girls. Anis is also a director on the Board of Minerva Canada, an organization promoting health and safety education for business and engineering students. He is a member of the Board of Examiners of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geophysicists of Alberta. Anis has a full-time faculty position with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Calgary. His primary research interests are engineering education and renewable energy, although nanotechnology remains dear to him. Anis received his PhD from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. He completed a postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science at the University of Cambridge, U.K. after completing his MSc.
Jessica Cohen
Program Co-Director
In this role, she works with high achieving students as they transition from high school to post-secondary, and advises students who are considering graduate and professional school, or major awards and scholarships. Jessica thrives on helping students navigate through the bewildering maze of post-undergraduate options. Jessica completed her Master’s and Doctorate degrees at the University of Oxford, specializing in educational policy borrowing, and studies in comparative and international education. She also holds Bachelor degrees in arts and education from Queen’s University and subsequently taught in Nunavut, France and The Gambia. While in the UK, Jessica was Residential Director at Oxford Royale Academy and was previously Assistant Director at Camp B’nai Brith in Quebec, both residential summer programs. Beyond the university’s walls, she enjoys cooking, baking, (slow) distance running, and spending time with her son.
Stephanie Buchan
Program Manager
She supports in-depth investigations into the scientific world through a variety of methods and platforms, encouraging students to dive deeper into the content and to achieve their true potential. Stephanie completed her Master’s degrees at the University of Calgary, specializing in entrepreneurship and innovation, which furthered her desire and capacity to embed design thinking and iterative cycles into her classroom. In her time off, Stephanie likes to get outdoors, whether camping, hiking or even just a simple picnic in the mountains.
Anis Haque
Jessica Cohen
Stephanie Buchan
CLOTHING - ACCESSORIES
- Jacket/Raincoat with hood
- Baseball-type hat (sun/rain)
- Hoodie or sweater
- Long pants and shorts (long pants may be required in labs)
- Long and short sleeve t-shirts
- Undergarments and sleepwear
- Socks
- Swimwear
- Comfortable clothing for daily fitness activities
- 1 business formal outfit and shoes
FOOTWEAR
- 2 pairs of athletic shoes (for indoor and outdoor use; closed toe shoes required in athletic facilities and labs)
- Sandals or flip / flops (for shower use)
- Water safe shoes / water shoes
PERSONAL ITEMS
- Towel, face cloth
- Beach towel for water activities
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush/paste, etc.)
- A supply of face masks (just in case)
- Other personal hygiene items (hand sanitizer, tissues, deodorant, etc.)
Documents and Medication
- Health card
- Medical insurance card (if available)
- Bank card (if you choose to bring one)
- Medication (if needed)
- Extra pair of glasses/contacts (if you wear them)
- Prescription refill note (if taking medication)
Outdoor Gear
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or greater)
- Sunglasses
- Hiking hat or baseball cap
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm
- Umbrella
- Small backpack (for hiking/day trips)
- Flashlight (NOT your phone)
- Sleeping bag
- Camping mug, bowl, plate and utensils (optional)
- Air mattress / foam (for under your sleeping bag – optional)
- Hiking shoes / boots
Other
(Highly recommended, but not mandatory)
- Personal notebook or paper
- Writing tools
- Laptop, tablet, or smartphone
- Memory stick
- Alarm clock
- Watch
- Calculator
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Reading material
- Basic sports equipment (baseball glove and ball, football, etc.)
- Musical instruments (along with sheet music)
- Music
- Pocket Money (a small amount for things like laundry, taxi to / from airport, and souvenirs)
- Extra pillow (for more of an “at home” feeling)
- Extra hangers
- Small fan
DO NOT BRING
- Game system / TV
- Pets (service animals exempted; please inform your program director for accommodations)
- Any dangerous goods or weapons
- Perfumes, colognes, or other strong scents
- Expensive jewelry or other valuables
- DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
- SUPERVISED COMMUNITY
- THE SCHEDULE
- TECH-ETIQUETTE: APPROPRIATE USAGE
- RECREATION AT SHAD
- ENERGY MANAGEMENT
DIVERSE & INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
A diverse and inclusive community is an important value of the Shad program. You will meet students from across Canada, with different lived experiences and backgrounds. Some of you have experience with complex, high responsibility activities such as traveling or being away from home, while for others, this may be your first time being apart from family. Respect for all individuals is a requirement for a successful community.
Community must be preserved and protected in the Shad program. There are no exclusive relationships at Shad, whether for the purposes of romance, clique, gender, ethnicity, or any other reason. Relationships that exclude (or attempt to exclude) others will not be accepted. Intentionally excluding others is a form of bullying and could result in dismissal from the program. The month at Shad provides you the opportunity to make connections with a community of other exceptional students. We hope that this tight-knit community that forms at Shad will continue for many years after the program.
SUPERVISED COMMUNITY
Shad is a supervised community. Every member of the program team is charged with the responsibility of ensuring your safety and protection. We take this responsibility seriously! This means that we will need to know approximately where you are and what you are doing at all times. This level of awareness ensures that in case of an emergency, we can account for your whereabouts quickly.
You are also a partner in ensuring your own safety and the safety of the Shad community. You are expected to ensure that your behaviour is always aligned with the Shad values.
Just because the community is supervised does not mean that you won’t have freedom to engage in a range of activities across the university campus. We take advantage of many of the various programs, departments, recreational facilities and spaces on campus to ensure that you enjoy an exciting university experience.
SCHEDULE
You can expect life at Shad to be busy, but don’t worry, we have downtime and recreational activities built into the program as well. Each day, you can expect a different combination of lectures, workshops, recreational and cultural activities, as well as unscheduled time that you can use to connect with your peers, work on your design project, and reflect on what you’ve learned and accomplished so far.
TECH-ETIQUETTE: APPROPRIATE USAGE
The ability to rapidly access relevant information can be key to innovation. There is no question that effective use of technology can be a useful tool. That said, the appropriate use of technology is essential for an effective learning/teaching/cooperative environment. There is etiquette for the use of technology. Rather than provide a long list of rules that will define acceptable use of technology, our technology policy is governed by the same core values as Shad.
All use of technology — including cell phones, notebooks, tablets, translators and the like — must uphold the principles of excellence, responsibility and creativity. While you might be an exceptional multitasker, maintaining devoted attention to a task at hand is a hallmark of responsibility and maturity. When it comes to the use of technology, know what’s right, do what’s right and be respectful!
RECREATION AT SHAD
We have time set aside for recreational activities. These include cultural events, field trips and many opportunities to take in the beautiful scenery of the area.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Shad is most enriching when we have sufficient energy to be fully engaged in all program activities. After a long and busy day, everyone needs adequate rest. We also need to respect others and allow them to re-energize themselves by getting the rest they need. Please manage your energy levels appropriately and allow others to do the same by going to bed at the appropriate time.
- Living with Respect
- Creativity
- EXCELLENCE
- COMMUNITY
- DIVERSITY
- RESPONSIBILITY
LIVING WITH RESPECT
Our values are what make Shad the incredible program that it is. At our Shad campus these values are vigorously embraced – just like they are at each of the other campuses across Canada. Being a Shad means accepting these values fully into everything you do! Adherence to these values determines how successful your Shad experience will be. They are sacred trusts.
EXCELLENCE
We aspire to excellence in all we do.
DIVERSITY
We value diversity and open discussion.
CREATIVITY
We cherish the freedom to explore, create, and innovate.
COMMUNITY
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.
RESPONSIBILITY
Our behaviour is always governed by respect for others and the highest standards of ethical conduct.
What happens when a diverse group of high school students from across Canada come together in the spirit of science, technology and entrepreneurship? Shad Open Day is a day to put your campus and your accomplishments on display for the community.
On Thursday, July 28th, family, friends and community members are invited to join us for a day of demonstrations and exhibits. You will get the chance to showcase your team’s innovation and your own special talents for the extended community.
We understand that some of you will be traveling far from home to attend Shad and therefore it will be more difficult for your family members to make it for Open Day. Do not worry – there will be many of your fellow Shads in the same position and you will still enjoy the magic of Open Day!
The program ends on the morning of Friday, July 29, and some may need to leave very early to catch a flight or bus. Rooms are required to be vacated by 10:00 a.m. that day.
If you have a bus / train / plane to catch, you will need to make arrangements to get from the campus with plenty of time before your scheduled departure time. If your parents / guardians are picking you up by car, they should plan to do this before 10:00 a.m.
Please note that the Shad program concludes at 10:00 a.m. on July 29 and Shad will no longer be responsible for you after this time.
- SHAD SPEAKS
- BIOTILES
SHAD SPEAKS
Do you have something that your fellow Shads might find interesting? Do you have a hobby or pastime that most people have never heard of? Do you have specialized knowledge or a skill, or a unique and meaningful experience you would like to share? Of course you do, you’re a Shad!
Every Shad will be expected to give a 5 min presentation that shares something about themselves with the rest of the group. The presentation should be verbal, and require few or no props. You will be asked to present your ShadSpeak at any moment – on a bus, in the mountains or in the dining hall! Please plan your presentation before you arrive, as our busy schedule will not allow time to prepare after you arrive.
BIOTILES
Construct, and bring a personalized “tile” that can be hung with tape on the outside of our communal area. The tile can be as simple or as intricate as you want, but it should tell us something about you. You can include photos, drawings, text, or anything else. Try to share your talents, interests, goals, family, or anything that is important to you. The size of the tile should be half of a page of your standard letter (8.5 by 11 inches).
- SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS
- VISITORS
- CONTACT DURING THE PROGRAM
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS
Q: I have a special accommodation request. How do I submit my request and will you be able to help me?
A: You will need to inform us of the special accommodations that you require ahead of time. We will let you know what we can do to support you as best as possible. We want to help make sure your experience here is exceptional.
VISITORS
Q: Can I have visitors during Shad? Can my parents take me off campus for a non-emergency reason?
A: No. Visitors are only welcome to come to Shad on Open Day on Thursday, July 28.
CONTACT DURING THE PROGRAM
Q: How can my parents contact me during Shad?
A: Your parents can contact you on your cell phone (although you may not be able to answer due to program activities).