High school enrichment programs

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these enrichment opportunities will not take place in 2020. Please visit the individual websites for details.

Summer programs for high school students

  Title Audiences Dates Overview
Computer Science CEMC Workshop in Computer Science for Young Women Female Grade 9 and 10 students in a Canadian high school or middle school. Spring A week-long program for female students to explore computer science, hear about careers, and break down stereotypes. No computer science experience necessary.
Engineering Grade 11 Girls Conference Female students in grades 11 May Participate in hands-on workshops, meet engineering students, compete in a design competition, and experience life in residence.
Engineering, Leadership Catalyst Summer Program Grade 10 or older July and August Develop leadership skills by drawing on Waterloo’s strengths in engineering, science, and innovation.
Engineering, Science Engineering Science Quest Grades 1 to 9 July and August Empowers youth to be the change that the world needs by increasing students' confidence in science, engineering, and technology.
Science, Cryptography Quantum Cryptography School for Young Students (QCSYS) Grade 10 to 12 Mid-August Week-long program that focuses on quantum cryptography, hosted by the Institute for Quantum Computing.
Sciences, Engineering, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Shad Grade 10 or 11 July

A four-week summer enrichment program. Students spend a month living in residence.

Programs for all ages

  Title Audiences Dates Overview
Accounting, Finance Financial Literacy Competition Grade 9, 10, and 11 students May and December Supports and enhances financial literacy education within Canadian high schools.
Astronomy, Science Gustav Bakos Observatory tours All ages Year round, by request or first Wednesday of each month Tours offer a chance to look through the 12-inch telescope at Waterloo’s Gustav Bakos Observatory.
Chemistry Avogadro Exam High school students Mid-May For students that are taking or have taken their first high school chemistry course.
Chemistry Chem 13 News exam High school students May For students that are taking or have taken their second high school chemistry course.
Computer Science Computing Contests Grades 9 - 12 November to May Students around the world participate in Waterloo's computing contests each year.
Computer Science CS4U Day Grades 8 - 11 First week of December Features speakers and hands-on activities.
Computer Science Programming challenge for girls Grade 10 December A one-day workshop to introduce grade 10 girls to the basics of object-oriented programming through a hands-on tutorial and challenge.
Computer Science CS Circles Grades 9 to 12 On-demand Learn to program using the Python language through interactive, text-based teaching.
Computer Science Curriculum resources Grades 9 to 12 On-demand Learn to program using the Python language through interactive, video-based teaching
Engineering Grade 11 Girls Conference Female students in grades 11 May Participate in hands-on workshops, meet engineering students, compete in a design competition, and experience life in residence.
Engineering, Science Engineering Science Quest Grades 1 to 9 July and August Empowers youth to be the change that the world will need in the future by increasing students' confidence in science, engineering, and technology abilities.
Geography, Canadian and World Issues, Economics, Science School visits Grades 9 - 12 September to mid-April Choose from one of three 75-minute presentations: Climate change (Grades 9-12), oil sands (Grades 11-12), or the sharing economy (Grades 11-12).

Includes discussion, brainstorming, and related careers. Email Miljana Kovacevic for details.
Geology, Earth Sciences Earth Sciences Museum Grades K-12 Year-round Free tours and activities on a variety of earth science topics. Includes Cobalt Discovery Mine Tunnel tours.
Health, Kinesiology Kinesiology Lab days Grade 12  Mid-December Visit kinesiology labs and participate in hands-on workshops.
Health, Medicine Gairdner Foundation Lecture Grades 11 - 12 Early October Attend a lecture by a recipient of the prestigious Gairdner award (for scientists who have made significant breakthroughs in medicine).
Health, Neuroscience University of Waterloo Brain Bee Grades 9 - 12 Early March Answer questions about the brain and neuroscience. The winner will compete in the National Brain Bee.
Health Informatics Hi5 Health Informatics Challenge Grades 11 and 12 Late winter, early spring A freestyle competition where students use information technology to develop creative solutions to tackle current health issues.
Health Sciences Anatomy workshop Grade 11 or 12 Biology classes, Grade 12 Exercise Science classes   High school classes participate in a hands-on anatomy workshop with human cadavers. Email Tamara Maciel for details.
Indigenous youth Indigenous youth camps Various Various Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre offers camps that run throughout the year for Indigenous youth.
Mathematics Math Circles Grades 6 - 12 School year A free weekly enrichment activity, held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Waterloo. Registration opens in September.
Mathematics Curriculum resources Grades 7, 8, and 12 On demand Free online lessons, interactive worksheets for Grade 12 math.
Mathematics Math contests Grade 7 - 12 Throughout the year Students around the world participate in Waterloo’s math contests each year.
Mathematics High school visits High school Throughout the school year Problem-solving workshops in mathematics and computer science. Includes discussions of careers in mathematics.
Mathematics Think about Math! Grade 9 girls May Designed for Grade 9 girls, the workshop demonstrates that math is fun, relevant, and leads to exciting careers.
Mathematics Free resources Grades 3 to 12 On-demand Materials that support curriculum and enrichment.
Mathematics Problem of the Week Grades 3 to 12 Throughout the school year Problems from various areas of mathematics are posted and e-mailed to subscribers.
Physics Sir Isaac Newton Physics Exam Grades 11-12 Early May Physics exam for high school students.
Science Let’s Talk Science Grades K-12 Throughout the school year Hands-on science activities aligned to the Ontario curriculum, brought free to classrooms by Waterloo student volunteers.
Science

Public lectures hosted by Waterloo Science

 Grade 8+ level, but attendance is open at parent discretion. Throughout the year

Public lectures delivered by leaders in the field on various topics of interest and relevance to the community.