High school enrichment programs

The University of Waterloo offers an exciting range of enrichment opportunities for students of all ages. Opportunities range from a couple of hours to 2 weeks and on campus, in your school, or online.

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 Leadership	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.
Entrepreneurship, Engineering	Engaging in Entrepreneurship & Engineering (E³)	Students entering grades 11 or 12	August	Get a head start in the world of startup businesses. Sponsored in part by Google.
International students	IDEAS Summer Experience	International students in Grade 10 or 11	July	2-week summer program for international high school students.
Science, Cryptography	Quantum Cryptography School for Young Students (QCSYS)	Grades 10-12	Mid-August	Week-long program that focuses on quantum cryptography, hosted by the Institute for Quantum Computing.
Sciences, Engineering, Technology, and Entrepreneurship	Shad Valley	Grade 10, 11 or 12	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 1st 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	Students that are taking or have taken their first high school chemistry course.
Chemistry	Chem 13 News exam	High school students	May	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 programming to grade 10 girls. Students learn 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) The sharing economy (Grades 11-12) Presentations include discussion of topic, brainstorming, and discussion of 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 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.
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	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.
Post-secondary education for aboriginal youth	Directions	9-12	October - Grade 12 March - Grade 11 May - Grades 9/10	A post-secondary information and careers readiness conference for Aboriginal youth. Students learn about post-secondary education, with an emphasis on science and technology themes centered around medicine wheel teachings.
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.