Enrichment programs
Unsure of what studies you want to pursue or what career path you want to take? Get a better sense of what each university program has to offer through these tailored programs.
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Engineering Outreach Office has made the difficult decision to cancel all Enrichment Programs (grade 9 and up) for the upcoming summer.
Enrichment programs are designed for students who will have completed grade 9 to 12 by this summer and who have a particular interest to learn about specific fields of engineering, technology or science.
Designed by engineering students, these trial programs mix a variety of lectures and laboratory projects in order to experience undergraduate life firsthand. This is useful for students who want to get a sneak peek at real university life, gain insight into different fields of study or just advance their knowledge with interactive hands-on experiences.
Enrichment Programs are one-week long with the potential to extend to a second week. The program’s potential second week will allow participants who have completed grade 9 to gain up to 40 hours of volunteer work while giving them an opportunity to develop their interpersonal and leadership skills. Participants will be assigned with an instructor to help run activities for a younger group of campers and to assist in teaching a variety of science and/or engineering projects. We are looking for top-notch volunteers who are responsible, enthusiastic, creative, and are leaders. Volunteer positions fill up quickly, so register early.
The curriculum for the Enrichment Programs will not change significantly from year to year.
Grades
Completion of Grade 9 to 12 by summer 2020.
Language
All teen programs are generally taught in English with a bilingual instructor, offering French support.
Location
- 150 Louis-Pasteur Prvt, STM 117 (STEM building at the University of Ottawa, room 117)
Hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (participants will sign themselves out at 4:00 p.m.)
Cost
- $310 per week ($260 per week for 4-day weeks, due to civic holidays)
Lunch
- Lunch is not provided by the camp. We ask that all students bring their own peanut/nut-free lunch. Students will be signed-out during their lunch hours.
- On Fridays, a pizza lunch and juice will be provided for students. The only food restrictions we can accommodate are vegetarian and nut-free choices.
Information package
Schedule
Summer 2020
| Weeks | Enrichment Programs | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| June 29th to July 3rd* | Civil Engineering | General Science | |
| July 6th to 10th | Software Engineering & Computer Science | Mechanical Engineering | |
| July 13th to 17th |
Electrical & Computer Engineering |
Pre-Medicine | |
| July 20th to 24th | Software Engineering & Computer Science (just for girls) | Biomechanical Engineering | Music-Engineering |
| July 27th to 31st | Electrical & Computer Engineering | Pre-Medicine | Music-Engineering |
| Aug 4th to 7th** | Chemical Engineering | General Science | |
| Aug 10th to 14th | Software Engineering & Computer Science | Biomechanical Engineering | |
* June 29th to July 3rd is a 4-day week due to the holiday on July 1st
** August 4th to 7th is a 4-day week due to the civic holiday on August 3rd
Enrichment programs offered
Biomechanical Engineering
The biomechanical engineering enrichment program will allow participants to learn about current research in the field of Biomedical Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ottawa. Participants will have the opportunity to visit laboratories on campus and design a model of a prosthesis or artificial organ. Students will then have the chance to turn their design into three-dimensional prototype using design software and 3D printers.
Chemical Engineering
If you’re interested in chemistry, how things are made, environment processes like wastewater treatments and innovative technologies, then this enrichment program is for you. Participants will meet professors and graduate students in the field of chemical engineering while touring and using university laboratories. Chemical engineering offers an abundance of opportunities whether you’re interested in pharmaceuticals, materials like polymers or petroleum. Introduce yourself to the university experience in a field that challenges your ingenuity and learn what chemical engineering has to offer.
Civil Engineering
Do you have an eye for design? Are you interested in construction and development? If you answered yes to either (or both) of these questions then civil engineering is a great discipline to try. This program will introduce students to the remarkable opportunities that civil engineering has to offer through many hands-on and educational activities. Participants will experience informative lab visits and the opportunity to meet professors and graduate students in the faculty of civil engineering as well as participate in design challenges.
Computer Science & Software Engineering
Are you interested in computer networking? Do you have the next great idea for a video game? Computer science offers all that and more! Computer scientists work with computer security, graphics and networking to build the next best technology. Software Engineers write, build and test code in multiple programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, Javascript and many others. Our computer science & Software Engineering enrichment program introduces participants to the process of designing and creating new software ideas, while introducing them to various high level languages that are used to program everything from automated polling stations to programming your cell phone. Prepare to tour laboratories and meet professors and grad students, learn new things and try your hand at programming!
Electrical & Computer Engineering
This enrichment program allows participants to try out the basics of electrical engineering and computer engineering through various activities from electronics to power systems. Participants will have presentations from professors and graduate students in addition to lab visits and design challenges. Students will have the opportunity to work in the electrical lab, program micro-controllers and learn the basics of soldering to build a variety of electrifying projects. This program offers the perfect mix of hardware design and software implementation that all participants can use to showcase their own unique style.
General Science
Are you contemplating studying science in university? This program is perfect for you! Get a great hands-on instruction to the following university: biology, biomedical science, biochemistry, chemistry, and physics. Complete projects in real science labs and talk to university students about their experiences. Get a better idea of what you might want to study at university!
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is one of the most diverse and exhilarating fields of engineering. You can design and build anything from micro-scale sensors to spacecraft and machine tools. Our mechanical engineering enrichment program introduces students to the seemingly unlimited design opportunities and research potential. Our program allows students to learn about mechanics through hands-on dissection, exciting lab tours and design challenges.
Music-Engineering
The Faculty of Engineering and the School of Music at the Faculty of Arts are partnering up to offer you the best of both worlds: a full week of hands-on activities that will immerse you in the fascinating worlds of music and engineering. Experiment with building beats, looping and sequencing, as well as capturing and manipulating sound. Prepare to work in the School of Music’s CreatorSpace, where we have synthesizers, control surfaces, midi-guitars, and even a theremin. Work with Logic, Cubase, Ableton Live, a massive sound library, 3D printers, Arduino programming, and more. This enrichment program will be led by dynamic, bilingual Arts and Engineering students and is a perfect occasion to get a better idea of the programs of study available to you at the University of Ottawa.
Pre-Medicine
Are you interested in medicine? This program will introduce students to the anatomy and physiology of the human body at the cellular level. Hands-on activities will be presented such as sutures, injections, cast making and much more! Participants will meet professors and students in the field of medicine while touring and using university laboratories. This enrichment program will also give the participants the opportunity to discover the field of neurobiology and learn more about other health care careers, including nursing, physiotherapy and pharmacy!
Frequently-asked questions
Projects
Are the same projects repeated each year?
The curriculum for the Enrichment Programs will not change significantly from year to year. We recommend trying a new program if you wish to participate for another summer.
Are the same projects repeated each week?
Each program has a single curriculum that is repeated a few times throughout the summer. If you wish to participate for more than one week, we recommend trying a new subject.
Registration
How do I make a change to my registration?
Please e-mail us at adventures@uOttawa.ca or call us at 613-562-5491 to request any changes to your registration. If you wish to modify the camp language, type of camp, or camp location we would be happy to accommodate your request, given that there are spots available.
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate schedule changes (regarding the date of the camp) with less than two weeks’ notice before the start of the camp you're requesting to change.
What is your cancellation/refund policy?
You may cancel your registration up to two weeks before the start date of your registered camp and receive a refund. However, a $30 administrative fee will be charged for every refund. We cannot offer a refund if a cancellation is made with less than two weeks’ notice.
I am currently on a waiting list. What is the next step?
Our team will contact you if a spot arises, and advise you on how to proceed with payment. You can contact our team to determine where you are on the waiting list by calling the Engineering Outreach Office.
What is your behavioural policy?
If behavioural problems should arise with your child: an administrator will contact you regarding the incident, and if necessary, they will issue a warning.
If the problem persists or is unacceptable: the participant may be removed from our summer program. We absolutely do not tolerate any violence, bullying or disrespect in our programs.
Programming
Do the students get breaks? Are they supervised all day?
Supervised break periods will be offered throughout the day as needed for snack time or other down time. Students, grade 9 and up, will be authorized to sign out at the beginning of their lunch period and sign back in at the end of their lunch period; the lunch period generally lasts 1 hour and takes place sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and may vary daily according to the instructor’s schedule. The University of Ottawa is not responsible for participants and students who are not signed in.
If my child and their friend are both registered for the same camp, will they be grouped together?
There are multiple groups within each program, so please indicate in the comments section of your registration if you would like your child to be placed with a friend or family member.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee any groupings (especially if the children's languages, grades or camps are different). We will do our best to accommodate your request. No group changes will be made after 12 p.m. on the first day of camp.
Due to COVID-19, the Faculty of Engineering Outreach Office is offering most of its programs in an online format until further notice. We are still accepting registrations for all summer programs, see this page for updated details.