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Shad Dalhousie
2022 INFORMATION GUIDE
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie is proud of its past and confident in its future. Founded in 1818, Dalhousie has been delivering an exceptional education for over 200 years. With the addition of the Agricultural Campus in 2012, its reach continues to expand beyond Halifax and into other parts of the province.
Dalhousie is a vibrant centre of teaching and research. It has 60 Canada Research Chairs (more than any university in Atlantic Canada), and its professors conduct ground-breaking research with international impact; this achievement is recognized with over $150 million in external research grants awarded annually. Dalhousie developed lidar technology that is helping understand weather patterns on Mars; the Ocean Tracking Network works with researchers on 7 continents to track marine species and ocean conditions; the Institute for Research in Materials develops advanced materials for uses ranging from advanced durable batteries to concrete to nanomaterials; its 600+ acre experimental farm and experimental orchard are advancing agricultural practice and food science; and recent medical research includes ongoing development of vaccines for influenza and Ebola, new tattoo removal technology, and promising advances in treatment for breast cancer.
Dalhousie has hosted a Shad campus since 2001, when the program moved from Acadia University. Since then, almost 1,000 Shad Alumni have experienced an incredible July in Halifax.
Virtual campus tour.
Dalhousie is a vibrant centre of teaching and research. It has 60 Canada Research Chairs (more than any university in Atlantic Canada), and its professors conduct ground-breaking research with international impact; this achievement is recognized with over $150 million in external research grants awarded annually. Dalhousie developed lidar technology that is helping understand weather patterns on Mars; the Ocean Tracking Network works with researchers on 7 continents to track marine species and ocean conditions; the Institute for Research in Materials develops advanced materials for uses ranging from advanced durable batteries to concrete to nanomaterials; its 600+ acre experimental farm and experimental orchard are advancing agricultural practice and food science; and recent medical research includes ongoing development of vaccines for influenza and Ebola, new tattoo removal technology, and promising advances in treatment for breast cancer.
Dalhousie has hosted a Shad campus since 2001, when the program moved from Acadia University. Since then, almost 1,000 Shad Alumni have experienced an incredible July in Halifax.
Virtual campus tour.
- Arriving at Shad
- Your New Home
- Arriving at Shad
- Your Shad Campus
Arriving at Shad
Shad2022 runs from July 3 – 29. We welcome students any time on Sunday, July 3 up until 9 pm and many Shads prefer to arrive before 5pm. Sunday is set aside as a day for students to unpack, meet members of the Shad community and familiarize themselves with the Dalhousie Campus.
Note that you are responsible for your own travel arrangements and cost to and from campus.
The Halifax airport is not large and finding your way around is not difficult. During peak flight hours on July 3, we will have team members at the airport to greet flights, help students find each other and assist with sharing cabs where possible. Travel costs from the airport to the university are not the responsibility of Shad Dalhousie.
Your Shad Campus
LeMarchant Place is centrally located on the Studley campus, and within a short walk of the Killam library, the Dalplex, and numerous academic buildings., University housekeeping services will provide you with towels, cloths, sheets, pillows and other basic bedding. You may wish to bring your own pillow and towels if you prefer.
- Mix of fully furnished single rooms with a shared ensuite bathroom and single rooms in two, three, or four-bedroom suites
- A lounge and laundry room on every floor
- All rooms and common areas are air-conditioned, but be prepared to sleep in varied room temperatures depending on the preferences of others in your suite
- Wireless internet access
- Dedicated elevators accessed through a separate secure lobby
- This year, there may be nearby construction noise on weekday mornings during normal working hours. If you prefer to sleep past 7:30am, consider ear plugs or headphones.
You will be living in residence on the university campus, and because we will be using a limited number of rooms there may be other paying guests using the residence as well. Many of the program team will live in residence with you forming a closely knit community for the month.
- FOOD
- RESIDENCE KEY
- BANKING
- COMPUTERS
- LAUNDRY
- 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.
- Mike Smit
- Abdullah Al-Shaghay
- Mike Smit
- Abdullah Al-Shaghay
Mike Smit
Program Co-Director
Since then he has held various roles including PA, Faculty Member, Program Manager, and now Program Director. Mike is a professor at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management, in the School of Information Management. He completed his PhD at the University of Alberta, was a postdoctoral fellow at York University, and holds a Bachelor and a Masters degree in Computer Science from Dalhousie University. He conducts interdisciplinary research that includes challenges in using cloud computing, supporting for research dissemination and discovery, managing of cloud-scale data, leveraging IT to meet research and educational needs, enabling open data and information, and understanding ethical issues in information and technology (particularly emerging technology). As a Shad-inspired believer in the importance of integrating science, technology, and entrepreneurship, he is involved with a research commercialization start-up company, his own software consulting company, and several industry research partners.
Abdullah Al-Shaghay
Program Co-Director
Since then, he has been excitingly looking forward to Shad each summer and the experiences it brings. He appreciates working with the wonderful staff and students in this unique environment each year. Abdullah recently defended his Ph.D. at Dalhousie University in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics where he completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. studying Number Theory. His research interests involve the study of polynomials and number sequences. Abdullah has always had a passion for teaching and outreach. Throughout his studies he has been performing duties as a Teaching Assistant and a Part-Time Lecturer at Dalhousie University, working on high school outreach with Nova Scotia Math Circles, and volunteering with Nova Scotia Math League. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors, reading, and keeping up with the latest technology and gadgets.
Rebecca John
Program Manager
The incredible sense of community at Shad is what brought her back in 2019 to the Dalhousie as a Program Assistant and this year as the Program Manager.
Rebecca graduated from the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Ryerson University and is a Registered Nurse and Researcher in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. She aims to deliver excellence in neonatal intensive care through innovation, collaboration, compassion, education and family support, to ensure every newborn achieves their potential for a brighter future. Her research projects are focused on improving current neonatal surgical intervention and pediatric neurodevelopment. As the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Lead at SickKids, her goal is to incorporate tangible changes to improve these values within the structures, policies, and programs at SickKids.
Mike Smit
Program Co-Director
Mike’s Shad story began with the launch of Shad at Dalhousie University in July 2001, where he started as a Program Assistant (PA). Since then he has held various roles including PA, Faculty Member, Program Manager, and now Program Director. Mike is a professor at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Management, in the School of Information Management. He completed his PhD at the University of Alberta, was a postdoctoral fellow at York University, and holds a Bachelor and a Masters degree in Computer Science from Dalhousie University. He conducts interdisciplinary research that includes challenges in using cloud computing, supporting for research dissemination and discovery, managing of cloud-scale data, leveraging IT to meet research and educational needs, enabling open data and information, and understanding ethical issues in information and technology (particularly emerging technology). As a Shad-inspired believer in the importance of integrating science, technology, and entrepreneurship, he is involved with a research commercialization start-up company, his own software consulting company, and several industry research partners.
Rebecca John
Program Manager
Rebecca was a Shad herself at the University of Waterloo in 2015. The incredible sense of community at Shad is what brought her back in 2019 to the Dalhousie as a Program Assistant and this year as the Program Manager.
Rebecca graduated from the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Ryerson University and is a Registered Nurse and Researcher in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. She aims to deliver excellence in neonatal intensive care through innovation, collaboration, compassion, education and family support, to ensure every newborn achieves their potential for a brighter future. Her research projects are focused on improving current neonatal surgical intervention and pediatric neurodevelopment. As the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Lead at SickKids, her goal is to incorporate tangible changes to improve these values within the structures, policies, and programs at SickKids.
Abdullah Al-Shaghay
Program Co-Director
Abdullah’s introduction to Shad started when he joined as a Junior Faculty Member and then came back as a Faculty Member the following year. Since then, he has been excitingly looking forward to Shad each summer and the experiences it brings. He appreciates working with the wonderful staff and students in this unique environment each year. Abdullah recently defended his Ph.D. at Dalhousie University in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics where he completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. studying Number Theory. His research interests involve the study of polynomials and number sequences. Abdullah has always had a passion for teaching and outreach. Throughout his studies he has been performing duties as a Teaching Assistant and a Part-Time Lecturer at Dalhousie University, working on high school outreach with Nova Scotia Math Circles, and volunteering with Nova Scotia Math League. In his spare time, he enjoys being outdoors, reading, and keeping up with the latest technology and gadgets.
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
- AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
- SUPERVISED COMMUNITY
- THE SCHEDULE
- TECH-ETIQUETTE: APPROPRIATE USAGE
- RECREATION AT SHAD
- ENERGY MANAGEMENT
- 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
- 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 AM that day.
If you have a bus/train/plane to catch, we will help you coordinate your departure from campus (note you are still responsible for costs).
We suggest flights around 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. to minimize the time spent waiting in the airport.
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 TILES
- SHAD TILES
SHAD TILES
Make a tile about yourself to bring to the program. Your tile should tell us something about yourself that you would like to share with us… an interest, a passion, an insight into who you are. You may make your tile out of anything using any medium or style. Be creative!
Use text, images, textiles, etc. Incorporate your full name on the front of the tile so that those viewing it can easily see whose tile it is. It must measure roughly 15 cm by 15 cm. We will be attaching the tiles to a display, so be sure not to use anything too heavy!
During the program you will have five minutes to present your tile to the group.
- SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS
- VISITORS
- CONTACT DURING THE PROGRAM
- 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).