University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s foremost next-generation university. It is a vibrant, ambitious institution that flourishes on innovation and opportunity. Situated in Canada’s most enterprising city, it serves as a global intellectual hub where bold ideas come to life and research generates real-world impact.
Ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide, the University of Calgary is rapidly climbing the ranks with cutting-edge research and innovation. In 2022, it was recognized as one of Canada’s top five research institutions, leading the nation in start-up creation—a testament to its entrepreneurial spirit. As Canada’s entrepreneurial university, we empower students to turn ideas into reality and drive economic growth.
With over 32,000 students across 100+ undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, the university fosters leadership across disciplines—from the arts and athletics to science, engineering, philanthropy, and business. Our graduates don’t just leave with a degree—they gain the skills and connections for a successful career, reflected in an impressive 96.3% after-graduation employment rate. Alumni include influential political and business leaders, pioneering researchers, and world-renowned athletes, such as former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Uber’s Co-Founder Garrett Camp, Mozilla Corporation CEO Gary Kovacs, and astronaut Bob Thirsk.
Beyond campus, Calgary offers an unmatched lifestyle. It is a city that blends professionalism with a casual spirit and Western heritage with urban vibrancy. Its proximity to national parks and historic landmarks adds to its appeal, while its entrepreneurial mindset has made it Canada’s hub for energy, finance, and emerging industries.
The University of Calgary acknowledges and respects the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 peoples, including the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai Nations), the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations (Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney). Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6). We recognize the deep histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities and are committed to reconciliation and meaningful partnerships.
Shad Program Team
Anis Haque
(Anis Hawk)
he/him
Program Director
Dr. Anis Haque is a passionate educator, researcher, and STEM advocate with over 30 years of university teaching and research experience. He holds master’s degrees from Rajshahi University (Bangladesh) and Cambridge University (England) and earned his Ph.D. in Nanotechnology in Japan.
In 2010, Anis founded AASEE, a registered charity dedicated to advancing STEM education. Through this initiative, he has impacted over 16,000 pre-university students, including more than 3,000 Indigenous students in K-12 schools across the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Alberta. He also led TISP Canada (Teachers In-Service Program), expanding STEM outreach nationwide.
Anis has taken on leadership roles in engineering education and professional development, serving on the Board of Minerva Canada and has volunteered as a member of the Board of Examiners at APEGA. Since 2013, he has been a Program Director at Shad, where he loves mentoring Canada’s brightest young minds and fostering innovation, critical thinking, and collaboration.
His work has earned him prestigious awards and fellowships, including the Commonwealth and Japanese Government Scholarships, Minerva Canada Educational Award of Honour, and numerous Teaching Excellence Awards.
Beyond work, Anis enjoys travelling, exploring nature, and diving into ancient cultures.
Catherine Be, BSc, MBA, PEng
(kath-err-in)
she/her
Program Manager
Catherine is an engineer, data analytics consultant, and passionate STEM educator. With over nine years of engineering experience, she specializes in business intelligence and data-driven decision-making. She holds an MBA in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics from the Haskayne School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Geomatics Engineering from the University of Calgary.
Beyond engineering, Catherine is deeply committed to STEM outreach and education. She works as a Science Educator at TELUS Spark and an Education Facilitator at the Calgary Stampede, inspiring young minds through hands-on learning. She also mentors engineering students and has volunteered with Shad Calgary.
Her leadership, technical expertise, and passion for education continue to shape the next generation of innovators.
Colin McCready, BSc, MD
(call-in)
he/him
Faculty Mentor
C
olin, a Nova Scotia native and proud Shad alumnus, now calls Calgary home. He earned his medical degree from Dalhousie University, where he also completed his residency in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine.
With a deep commitment to serving remote and underserved communities, Colin has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities in Nunavut and Yellowknife. His work has taken him to some of the most extreme environments on Earth, including serving as Lead Physician at McMurdo Station and South Pole Station, Antarctica, as part of the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). There, he provided medical care for on-station personnel and administrative support for medical operations on behalf of the University of Texas Medical Branch.
Now based in Alberta, Colin practices Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care in communities outside Calgary. He is passionate about bridging medical concepts with basic science, making complex ideas more accessible and engaging for all.
Arriving at Shad
Shad2025 runs from June 29 to July 25. We kindly request that you arrive on campus between 12pm and 5pm on June 29. Arrival and check-in will be at Aurora Hall, University of Calgary.
The first meal provided by the program will be dinner at 6:00 p.m.
Transportation from Airport: 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 Aurora Hall at the University of Calgary campus (3272-24 Ave N.W., Calgary, T2N 5A5). A Shad team member will be waiting for you.
Participants should not take public transit, as it is not luggage nor navigation-friendly.
Living at Shad
Residence
Shad participants and the program team will be living on campus in single rooms with semi-private washrooms at Aurora Hall residence. Each Shad will have suitemates of the same gender. Bedding and linen will be provided (pillow, blanket, sheets and towel). Soap and shampoo will also be provided but we encourage you to bring your own.
While living on campus, there may be other paying guests using the residence accommodations on other floors. Participants will have key/card access to their rooms and in many instances their floor. Participants have the responsibility of keeping their property safe and keeping the room door locked.
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 include any dietary requirements or allergies in your medical form.
Laundry
There will be washers and dryers available in residence. The cost is approximately $4 per load. Laundry payment is through an app. Further information will be provided closer to the program.
Laundry detergent is available on campus. If you have any allergies to certain types of detergent, please bring your own.
Residence Key
You will be given residence keys for which you will be responsible. More information will be shared by your program director. There is no deposit required.
Banking
We recommend that you bring some pocket money with you for transportation to and from the airport, laundry, optional Shad wear, and purchasing souvenirs.
We advise against bringing large amounts of money or other valuables (expensive jewelry and watches). There is no need for such items, and we cannot accept responsibility if they go missing.
There are bank ATMs available on campus should you need to withdraw additional funds.
Computers
We recommend that you 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.
If you are unable to bring a laptop, please contact the program team.
What to Bring
Clothing – Accessories
- Jacket/Raincoat with hood
- Baseball-type hat (sun/rain)
- Casual spring and summer clothes
- 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 recreation activities
- One or two slightly dressy outfits for events such as the design project conference, Open Day and Banquet (some will bring a suit, pantsuit or dress, others will be “business casual”; bring whatever makes you comfortable!)
Footwear
- Business attire/formal shoes
- 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
- Hiking shoes/boots
Personal Items
- Towel, face cloth
- Beach Towel for water activities
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush/paste, etc.)
- 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
- Insect repellent
- Lip balm
- Umbrella
- Small backpack (for hiking/day trips)
- Flashlight (NOT your phone)
- Sleeping bag
- Beach towel
Other
- Pocket money (a small amount for things like laundry, taxi to/from airport, souvenirs)
- Personal notebook or paper
- Laptop or tablet
- Memory stick
- Camera
- Reading material
- Basic sports equipment (baseball glove and ball, football, etc.)
- Musical instruments (along with sheet music)
- Extra pillow (for more of an “at home” feeling)
- Extra hangers
Do Not Bring
- TV/gaming PC/game system (e.g., Switch, Steam Deck)
- Pets (service animals exempted; please inform your program director for accommodations)
- Any vehicle, motorized or not, unless required for accessibility
- Any dangerous goods or weapons
- Cigarettes or vapes/e-cigarettes
- Alcohol or illegal or recreational drugs, including cannabis
- Expensive jewelry or other valuables
- Strongly scented products: Shad is a fragrance-free environment. Please leave perfume and cologne at home.
Please note that Shad is not liable for any lost, stolen or damaged personal items.
Please contact the program team if you have questions about bringing any of the above.
What to Expect
Shad Values
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. Our values are as follows:
- We cherish the freedom to explore, create, and innovate.
- We aspire to excellence in all we do.
- 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.
- We value diversity and open discussion.
- Our behaviour is always governed by respect for others and the highest standards of ethical conduct.
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.
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.
Supportive Team
The Shad team is here to support you. Your program team is made up of leaders who are committed to working with students to meet their needs.
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, rest, connect with family, 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
There will be opportunities for recreation throughout your time at the program including physical and creative activities. Each campus takes advantage of their unique surroundings and plans fun, exciting ways to engage within your Shad community.
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.
What You'll Need to Do Pre-Program
ShadTiles
Construct, and bring a personalized “tile” that can be hung with tape on the outside of your residence door. 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. Don’t forget to include your name! The size of the tile should be half of a page of your standard letter (8.5 by 11 inches) either vertical or horizontal.
ShadSpeaks
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 asked to give a 3 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.
Shad Open Day
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 24th, family, friends and community members are invited to join us for virtual demonstrations and exhibits. You will get the chance to showcase your team’s innovation and your own special talents for the extended community.
Community Lunch
Time: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm MDT
Invitation will be sent to parents/guardians by mid-June
Presentations
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30pm MDT
In-person Details: Invitation will be sent to parents/guardians by mid-June
Virtual Details: A Zoom link will be sent closer to the date
Leaving Shad
The Shad program concludes on the morning of Friday, July 25, and Shad will ensure that all participants are transferred to parents, or are on their way home by 10:00 am.
Please note that transportation to and from your campus is the responsibility of the participant. 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 between 9:00 am and 10:00 am.
For students who are heading to the Calgary Airport, we will book taxis and coordinate amongst the group to ensure no one leaves by themselves.
Contact us
Have any questions?
Feel free to reach out to your program team:
shadprogram@calgary.shad.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
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 (family, friends) during Shad? Can I leave campus for a non-emergency reason?
A: No, for the safety of participants, we cannot accommodate visitors or participants leaving campus during the program.
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) or via email. Emergency contact information will be provided closer to the program.
Mail can be sent to:
STUDENT NAME
c/o Shad Calgary Group
Aurora Hall
169 University Gate NW
Calgary, AB
T2N 1N4
Free Time
Q: How much free time will I have?
A: Shad is a busy month with an ambitious schedule of activities. Most of your time will be spent engaging in the plethora of activities we have planned for you! There is often time every day for you to take time for yourself, to rest, or to call home as needed. Given the immersive nature of Shad, participants will not have the time to engage in other commitments during the month of July (i.e., summer school, online courses, or additional projects, studying, practice, or training). Full-time commitment to Shad is expected.
Outside Food
Q: Can I order food?
A: No
Instruments
Q: Will I have access to instruments to practice regularly?
A: Shad is a wonderfully musical place with many spontaneous jam sessions. We encourage Shads to bring their sheet music or other instruments with them.
Access to instruments and practice spaces is limited. However, participants may send an instrument rental request to the Program Manager, Catherine Be, at catherine.be@calgary.shad.ca by Saturday, June 29th. While Shad Calgary will cover the rental costs and arrange transportation, we are not responsible for any damages. Please avoid ordering heavy or oversized instruments that cannot be transported in a van similar to an Odyssey, Sienna, or Dodge Caravan.
Gym Access
Q: Will I have access to athletics facilities such as a gym or pool?
A: No. We hold recreation periods daily in the afternoons however participants will not have daily access to gyms, fitness rooms, basketball courts, pool, or fields.