Bridgitte Campbell, pictured here, became the first student from John Paul II Collegiate to be accepted to Shad Canada, a national program offered at nearly 20 Universities throughout the country. (submitted photo/Ramona Stillar)

By Martin Martinson

Enjoying academics

Local student reflects on Shad Canada experience, as first accepted from high school

Jan 23, 2020 | 4:46 PM

For local student, Bridgitte Campbell, going to school isn’t just a task but rather, an enjoyment.

Last summer, Campbell spent time taking part in Shad Canada, a STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and entrepreneurship program for excelling students in Grades 10 and 11 across the country.

Campbell applied for the program in November, and was accepted to the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown PEI., becoming the first student from John Paul II Collegiate to be accepted into the program. There she took part in a month-long course designed to challenge students academically in innovative ways.

At the university, the students were split up into different groups. The whole Shad program had the same topic at each location, as students were tasked with creating a product or business that would reduce waste in Canada.

Campbell’s group created a plastic repair kit that contained glue and a few different tools that were non-toxic, safe and recyclable. She said rather than throwing something out as soon as it was broken, the product was designed to limit waste through repair.

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In addition to the academic side of things, Campbell said she really enjoyed the social fabric that came with the program meeting like-minded individuals and teachers alike.

“You get to meet different high-achieving students from across the country and work with different professors and kind of do higher level learning,” she said. “One of the best things was just getting to know other people who had kind of similar interests and were also really high achievers.”

Along with the entrepreneurial project, Campbell said another class that really stood out included a chemistry lab, where students were given the means to create mixtures that would be used in glow sticks.

Campbell said she hopes her positive experience as the first student from her school to attend will help encourage others who share a love for education to apply as well.

“I have always really enjoyed school and learning,” she said. “I think it’s really a special opportunity because I am the first; I really hope that from me going and people hearing about it, that other people do apply and do go. It is an amazing experience.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca
On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1