After two years online, the Faculty of Science’s ninth annual Science Academy returned to in-person activities this year, July 4 to 8.

Thirty-two top-achieving Grade 11 students from Essex County participated in various on campus activities to learn about the programs offered by the faculty.

Science Academy faculty leader Dora Cavallo-Medved, associate dean of science, says the students spent a great week engaging with peers as well as UWindsor faculty, staff, and students.

“Students visited each of the departments and participated in mini-lectures and labs, toured research labs, competed in the amazing science race, and interacted with our alumni to learn about career paths in science,” says Dr. Cavallo-Medved.

“The idea of the event is to showcase all that we have to offer and for the students to catch a glimpse of their futures as a science student at the University of Windsor.”

Third-year biology undergraduate Josh Mathews was this year’s Science Academy student co-ordinator. He worked with Cavallo-Medved and experiential learning specialist Michelle Bondy to organize and deliver the event, and was responsible for student volunteers.

“Planning the Science Academy program was a fantastic experience. Ensuring that every component was planned out and ready to go made the program run as smoothly as I could’ve imagined,” says Mathews.

“I am very glad I got the opportunity to work with and learn from Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved and Michelle Bondy to make this program a success.”

Mathews is also a graduate of the program and says he knows first-hand the value that Science Academy provides.

“It enables participants to meet like-minded students from across the county and see what the University of Windsor Faculty of Science has to offer,” he says.

“Giving the students exposure to the school, its programs, and its research opportunities is an invaluable experience that gets them excited about science at UWindsor and guides their post-secondary decision.”

Maryam Al-Shammaa from Assumption College Catholic High School says Science Academy was the best part of summer.

“I personally loved being in the Science Academy because it gave me lots of opportunities to get to know the professors, the university, courses, and programs,” she says.

“My best part of being in Science Academy is that you get to know more about the programs you can be engaged in, and it opens your mind to the different opportunities you can have in the future and the career paths.”

Every student who participated and submitted a reflection of their experience is eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship to any program in the Faculty of Science.

Two participants received a sponsorship from the Friends of Ojibway Prairie to attend the Ontario Nature Youth Summit this fall.