Nicholas Donaldson
For the entire second semester of the next school year, Mira Donaldson will be one of 30 Ontario students involved in a unique and promising educational opportunity in Toronto as she attends the Science School at the Ontario Science Centre.
The centre itself is an attraction full of interactive experiences with science and technology exhibits and programs.
The Science School program that Donaldson will participate in is a semester of school that focuses solely on math and science courses, allowing students to earn credits and prepare for university in a unique setting.
Donaldson currently is finishing her Grade 10 year at Fort Frances High School.
Normally it is Grade 12 students who attend the program because the courses are taught at that level.
But because Donaldson has completed the necessary prerequisite courses, she applied and will be able to attend in her Grade 11 year.
“I’ll be taking biology, chemistry, and physics while I’m there, so it should be a pretty full course load,” she told the Times.
Donaldson also will be required to work on a semester-long, cross-curricular group project in science communication and engagement.
Part of the experience also includes working part-time on the floor of the Ontario Science Centre, interacting with visitors and participating in science workshops with visiting classes and students.
Knowing that only 30 students are accepted each semester, Donaldson admitted the application process was competitive.
She had to include a résumé, get recommendations from two teachers (at least one being a math or science teacher), and answer a few questions.
The questions covered topics on responsibility and teamwork, and also asked, “What is your favourite element on the periodic table?”
Donaldson noted she cited carbon as her favourite and had to explain why in the answer.
The semester will begin with a two-day team-building and communication workshop at an overnight camp
The students also will participate in a variety of off-site field trips, on-site activities, guest speakers, and other extra-curricular activities throughout the semester.
Some of the programs and labs Donaldson will be involved with are a DNA lab, environmental water testing, bacterial transformation lab, the Challenger Learning Centre Space Mission, and IMAX film.
“I think it will be such an incredible experience, and I know that I’ll learn lots and create lifelong friendships,” Donaldson enthused.
“I’m a bit nervous about leaving home but I’m really excited about the place that I’ll be staying,” she added.
Students are responsible for finding their own living arrangements while they are there–something Donaldson already has planned for.
Donaldson also will have a taste of what it’s like to live away from home for schooling this summer, as she will be attending the SHAD program at Carleton University in Ottawa.
SHAD is another science program for high school students that accepts some 800 students at 13 universities across Canada.
These students stay on a university campus for the month of July to participate in workshops, labs, and lectures.
They also have to take part in a design/entrepreneurship project.
“I think a lot of the things I’ll learn there will be helpful for OSCSS, and hopefully I’ll meet some people who I can spend time with while I’m in Toronto,” Donaldson said.
