-by Rankin MacDonald
As they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
For the past 25 days Inverness Academy student, Murdock MacLean attended Shad Canada at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.
Murdock first heard about the Shad Canada summer program from his mother, Dr. Rhea MacDonald, who attended Shad Valley (former name) at Acadia University in 1994.
He said that his mother, principal, and counsellor encouraged him to apply. He did and was accepted at the University of Waterloo.
Murdock wanted to get a look at universities outside of Nova Scotia which is why he ended up in Ontario.
With emphasis on chemistry and engineering, he enjoyed the advanced learning program, getting into the programs, and it will be a help when he decides what university he will attend in future – after this year!
Right now he is thinking of applying to Dalhousie and maybe the University of Waterloo.
Adding to the good news for the family, Dr. Rhea MacDonald and the Inverness hospital received the Best Preceptor (teacher) award which is decided by the four residents who spend time at the ICMH honing their medical skills.
According to Shad Canada, it is an annual Canadian summer enrichment program for high-achieving high school students in July. The program is open to both Canadian and international students. The program is offered at 21 participating universities across Canada.
Shad focuses on both academic learning through lectures, workshops, labs, and group projects as well as the development of an individual and community. These experiences are usually focused on the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and/or mathematics (STEAM).
There is a rigorous application process, which goes in depth into both the students’ academics and extra-curriculars. In 2020, over 2,400 students applied. Shad normally runs for four weeks in July. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SHAD was hosted online during the summer of 2020 and the summer of 2021.
The Shad program was founded by Dr. Derek Lane-Smith, a teacher, physicist, and entrepreneur. The first summer program ran at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario, in July, 1981, and has since expanded to 19 university campuses across Canada. The program is named after the shad, a kind of fish found in Shad Creek, near Aurora.
Shad Canada is a non-profit organization based in Waterloo, Ontario. Tim Jackson is the current president and CEO of Shad Canada.
During the month, Shads participate in various activities including lectures, workshops, labs, group projects, recreational activities and more. Shads also participate in a Real-World Design Project. In the project, Shads are presented with the current year’s theme and propose a solution. A “Shad” is the recognition of the ambition, drive collaboration inherent in a Shad program graduate.
This special recognition opens the door into the alumni network of 19,000-plus Shads. The Shad Network is as diverse as its program and includes founders and CEOs, international academics, social entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, best-selling authors, and AI innovators. The network has a range of participants at various stages of career and business success – from start-up to million-dollar organizations, Rhodes Scholars and university, and philanthropists and social enterprises.
At the end of the program, each Shad campus hosts an event known as “Open Day,” attended by parents and friends of the Shads at the campus.
In Nova Scotia, Shad Canada universities include Dalhousie and St. FX University.