UNB News
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60 of the country’s brightest high school students have arrived at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton to learn, explore and experience all the UNB and the city have to offer. These young people, here to take part in the prestigious annual Shad Valley program at UNB, will take time away from learning science to go camping at the Fundy National Park and will get to know Fredericton through several day trips and activities planned in the capital city over the course of their stay. These trips encompassed within the Shad Valley program are meant to expose students, some from as far away as British Columbia, to many different opportunities for learning while showcasing the breathtaking beauty and stunning natural landscape that characterizes the region. Dhirendra Shukla, Shad Valley New Brunswick’s program director, says it’s important for these students to gain a sense of the academics that lie at the core of the program, but also to experience some of the elements of the province’s culture that are such a point of pride for the people of New Brunswick. “We have a fun schedule planned for the students over the course of their four-week stay,” said Professor Shukla.   “They’re here to learn and see all that UNB has to offer, and they’re also having fun in the process. We have many exciting trips planned that will give them a taste and feel for the region’s top attractions and activities.” Shad Valley is a four-week enrichment program for exceptional high school students. Highlights of the program at UNB include a robotics competition, labs and workshops offered by all science departments, and a business and entrepreneurship competition in which successful student teams have the opportunity to face off against teams from other host campuses. The program also hosts an Open Day on July 28 from 1-3:30 p.m. to welcome friends, family and the public to experience Shad Valley and get a firsthand look at what the students have achieved during their time here. This year’s Shad Valley participants have come a long way since the start of the program. Chosen from some 1,000 applicants worldwide, approximately 500 were selected for the program through a process that takes into account exceptional academic standing, as well as volunteerism, community involvement and extracurricular activities. Once admitted to the program, students are assigned to one of 10 host campuses across Canada. 2011 marks the 26th year that Shad Valley has had a program at the University of New Brunswick. For more information, contact Dhirendra Shukla at 506-292-3846.