Waterloo Unlimited, the high school enrichment program that inspired the Bachelor of Knowledge Integration, offered experiences around themes, including:
Grade 10 | Theme of 'Change'
We live in the midst of change: technological change, social change, political change, environmental change. How do we adapt, or not adapt... and what are the consequences?
Our Grade 10 "Change" program explored the perspectives of scientists, engineers, writers, and philosophers, as they examine the dynamics of “Change”. We looked at changes in health care and changes in demographics, explored mathematics as a way to describe change, and learned how literature articulates this theme through character development. Then there is the consideration of how change may happen: revolutionary change or gradual evolution. What are the effects of change? Climate change, biological mutations, the changing role of women in various societies. Through lectures, small group workshops, and skills sessions, we explored the commonalities and differences in change across disciplines leading to the integration of knowledge.
Grade 10 | Theme of 'Vision'
We take the broadest possible definition of vision, including the sense of sight in natural biological vision systems, the visualization of abstract information, vision in mathematics, health studies, history, geography, planning, poetry, and psychology. Our exploration of vision at Waterloo introduced participants to many of the faculty, staff and students of this diverse university, and perhaps opened their eyes a little to see more than they’ve seen before.
Grade 11 | Theme of 'Design'
From engineering and the environment to science fiction and virtual reality, the Grade 11 program explored the theme of “Design” through professor-led lectures, small group workshops, and skills sessions, exploring the commonalities and differences in design across disciplines leading to the integration of knowledge.
Grade 12 | Road Map to Research
An immersive, pre-university experience, the Grade 12 "Road Map to Research" program included an introduction to the art and science of reading academic papers, an opportunity to explore cutting-edge discoveries with professors from across the disciplines, and the chance to engage with student researchers. Through lectures, small group workshops, and skills sessions, students explored the commonalities and differences in research across disciplines leading to the integration of knowledge.