High School Students Benefit from Prestigious Summer Enrichment Programs

ST. JOHN'S, Aug. 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Fifteen Newfoundland and Labrador high school students have successfully completed research-related enrichment programs in the Arctic and throughout North America this summer thanks to funding of $111,800 from the Research & Development Corporation (RDC).

"It is important to inspire and invest in the development of young people that will fuel growth in research and innovation," said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation. "I extend my congratulations to each of these students who have completed programs this summer which provided exposure to research areas that align with education and career paths relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador industries."

Funding was made available through the Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards. The RISE Awards focus on high-achieving level II students who excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The RISE Awards included four summer enrichment programs; Research Science Institute (RSI) based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Shad Valley which is hosted at university campuses across Canada, Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) at the University of Toronto, and Students on Ice (SOI), which took students and researchers on a ship-and land-based journey through the Arctic. This is the first year the RISE Awards have sponsored students for the SOI program.

"The RISE Awards open doors for the best and the brightest to become future R&D leaders," said Glenn Janes, CEO, RDC. "An early understanding of R&D-related fields may guide these students in their decision making process for post-secondary education, and ultimately their career choices."

Mikaela Murphy from Holy Heart High School is one of the two students who travelled to the Arctic with the Students on Ice program.

"One of the really interesting things was the number of experts we had on board the ship, from professors to researchers to adventurers, each with a unique insight to their field. There were paleontologists, oceanographers, botanists, bird experts, a glaciologist and so much more. This trip was truly amazing," Mikaela said of her Arctic expedition.

The names, school districts, enrichment programs and values for the awardees are included in the backgrounder below.

SOURCE: Research & Development Corporation