Q:
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Meera Nelson, a student attending high school in the GTA, heading into Grade 12 this September. I’ve always been drawn to STEAM, but since starting high school, I’ve also discovered my passion for entrepreneurship. At school, I’m an active member of President’s Council and currently serve as co-president of the Service Leadership Club. This role has given me the opportunity to practice my entrepreneurial skills while helping other students grow as leaders. I also get to design initiatives and organize events that make a positive impact on my local community—something I find incredibly rewarding. Outside of academics, I love spending time with my family, going for bike rides, diving into a good mystery book, and being creative through sketching, photography, and sewing.
Q:
What motivates your interest in entrepreneurship?
I’m drawn to STEAM and entrepreneurship because I love learning and exploring new ideas. Science sparks my curiosity about how and why things work, and entrepreneurship allows me to be curious about creating solutions that help others. I am interested and motivated by how I can combine these skills to make a real impact.
Q:
What was the biggest takeaway from your Shad experience?
Shad taught me many lessons—some big, some small—but there are two in particular that stood out: learning about sustainability, and gaining the confidence to grow as a person and prepare for university life. The first takeaway is on the sustainability side. I realized that while solving the global challenge of living sustainably might be a difficult problem, there’s incredible potential in the innovative ideas we explored—like carbon capturing, turning waste into energy, and other creative technologies. Not only are these concepts fascinating, but they also prove that we can create real solutions that push society toward a more sustainable future. I also learned that many technological innovations never make it past the early stages of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale. As the next generation in STEM, we have the chance to advance these technologies, bring them to the public, and help drive positive change.
The second major takeaway was learning how to thrive in a university-like environment. High school teachers often warn that universities won’t “hold your hand,” but Shad gave me the confidence to be independent and successful in that setting. Before, I wasn’t sure how I’d manage. But after experiencing early morning classes, three-hour lectures, living with roommates, balancing time between friends and projects, preparing for events like Coffee House, and still getting 7–8 hours of sleep—I now see that university life isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, after having such a great time, I feel excited and prepared for the road ahead.
Q:
How do you plan to use #STEAM4Good?
At the end of Shad, Dr.Aziz, a Dean at the University of Regina, said something that stood out to me in his closing remarks. He reminded us that in our DE projects, we didn’t just design ideas for a greener planet and a more sustainable future — we integrated STEM, entrepreneurship, and Shad’s core values. We combined creativity, excellence, respect, teamwork, diversity, and inclusion, while addressing critical issues such as sustainability and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples of Canada. These values aren’t meant to be left behind when Shad ends; they’re values we should uphold in our post-secondary studies and into our future careers. For me, that means adding these values to my future in the medical field, to drive change for good.
Q:
What lessons would you share with incoming Shads?
Having now completed Shad, there are a few pieces of advice I would share with incoming Shads. First, don’t be afraid. Even if it’s your first time away from home or traveling without your parents, everything will be okay. By the end of the month, you’ll have grown so much. Try to connect with as many people on your campus as possible. While having close friends is important, you’ll likely find yourself wishing you had spent more time with others. So get to know all other Shads on your campus. Hang out with people you might not usually spend time with—you might just meet one of the coolest people who becomes one of your closest friends, creating a genuine and lasting friendship. I would also recommend getting a good night’s sleep and avoiding scrolling on your phone for hours after curfew. Shad will show you how much you can accomplish and how much fun you can have in a single day—but only if you’re energized. Some Shads start skipping meals or staying up late toward the end of the program, so aim to maintain a consistent routine and get plenty of rest from day one through day 25. Lastly, balance is key. Find a way to balance work and play. For example, you might use some free time in the afternoon to work on your DE project, which then frees up your evening to watch a movie with roommates or friends. Striking this balance will help you succeed while also having fun, making the most of your Shad experience.
