PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

This program is designed to provide a research experience for secondary school students who may consider attending university and are interested in trying out a university experience while still attending secondary school. The program exposes students to teamwork, virtual laboratories, simulation modelling, leadership opportunities and concepts from complexity. Initially, students will work in teams on a research project that is mentored by a university student and Dr. Brad Bass, an adjunct professor in the School of Environment and the Director of URECS. The research will be done using the computer simulation model called COBWEB (Complexity & Organized Behaviour within Environmental Bounds). Students will be able to explore simulations in ecology, medicine, neuroscience, epidemiology, psychology, economic geography, economics, climate change impacts, chemistry or sociology. Students will be trained on using the software and will be able to obtain a copy at no cost. Students will also gain exposure to life at the University and will have the opportunity to explore other nearby areas, such as Kensington Market. An introduction to the work of Dr. Brad Bass may be found at here. 

PROGRAM DATES/REGISTRATION DETAILS 

Program is on-going throughout the year. The program currently runs alternate Wednesday and Friday afternoons, beginning at 5:00 PM. Each session is 90 minutes.

Students interested in trying the program should contact Dr. Bass at cobweb.ca@gmail.com. URECS is proudly aligned with the Foundation for Student Science and Technology (FSST). FSST offers qualified students in Grades 11 and 12 the opportunity to receive a secondary school credit for their participation in URECS through the Research CO-OP Program.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

This program is open to any secondary student who wants to explore research in a university setting. There are no restrictions based on grade, nor are there any prerequisites. 

This program provides University of Toronto students an opportunity to mentor secondary school students and to take the URECS program out of the University environment to high schools and to student confernces.