Throughout the summer, U of T Engineering showcased the best the Faculty has to offer the next generation of engineers.
Through innovative programs offered by senior graduate students, supported by undergraduate students, a wide variety of youth enriched their understanding of engineering. Organized by the Engineering Student Outreach Office, more than 1,200 youth from 20 countries around the world took part in cutting-edge projects such as building solar cars, model lungs and miniature wind turbines.
The budding engineers also used skills they learned to tackle hands-on teamwork activities, like building and programming robots during in-class labs.
July: DEEP Summer Academy
The Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program (DEEP) offered more than 40 courses inspired by graduate student research to 900 highly motivated students between grades nine and 12. Among the courses offered by the summer academy were two unique sessions: in the first, youth had the opportunity to analyze the embryonic stem cells of mice, while in another course, participants delved into the science behind space robotics taught by alumnus Jian-Feng Shi (AeroE MASc 0T4).
The students involved in the program also applied the skills they developed to tackle hands-on teamwork activities in U of T’s leading-edge research facilities.
August: Jr. DEEP, Girls’ Jr. DEEP & ENGage
In August, the Faculty also played host to Jr. DEEP and Girls’ Jr. DEEP. The programs, modeled on DEEP, encourage interest in science by exploring popular themes like aeronautics, environmental sustainability solutions and earth systems.
Jr. DEEP was geared towards students in grade seven and eight. Participants had the opportunity to explore everything from engineering’s most extreme jobs to biomedical science and engineering. They learned all about designing amusement parks and underwater exploration. Students also conducted mini-experiments to diagnose clinical conditions like hyperthyroidism.
Along with Jr. DEEP, the Engineering Student Outreach Office also ran Girls’ Jr. DEEP, a program meant to develop the engineering interests of female students in grade seven and eight. The unique initiative is part of the Faculty’s ongoing response to the under-representation of women in the engineering profession.
Throughout the program, undergraduate and graduate female instructors taught participants about a range of disciplines in science, engineering and mathematics. In one class, students learned about cells, how they function and even created their own models with help from instructors.
The girls learned about the science behind rocket mechanics and later launched their very own devices on campus. Participants also built hydraulic mazes and mini-labyrinths using hydraulic pumps (syringes) to navigate them.
Also taking place in August was ENGage, a program meant to inspire black youth to explore the exciting world of engineering. U of T’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Engineering Student Outreach Office organized the second year of the program.
The program was conceived by Mikhail Burke (MSE 1T2) and Ayokanmi Falade (MechE 1T1 + PEY) in 2009–10 when they were President and Vice President, respectively, of U of T’s NSBE chapter. While the 2010 camp lasted only one week, this year’s edition of ENGage offered two, one-week sessions. Plans are underway to offer a similar program that will run on Saturdays during the academic year.
Participants in the program were recruited through community partners based in Regent Park and Parkdale. However, word of mouth also spread news of the initiative far and wide.
For more information about other interactive programs offered to pre-University students throughout the year or to get involved, please visit the Engineering Outreach’s official website.
