F.A.Q.

1. I live in St. John’s, Nfld. Why should I go all the way to Ottawa for science camp?

First, we are located 2 hours from Ottawa, in Deep River. Second, there is no other science camp in Canada like us. Our main partner is Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd., Canada’s national nuclear research laboratory, and we’ve been partnered with them for 22 years. The scientists there know and expect students each summer, and they are excited to receive students. Whole branches have been known to greet the students upon their arrival – not because they’ve been told to, but because they are excited to receive the students! It is an unusual and unique atmosphere. All of our partners believe in our work, and look forward to working with young Canadians from across Canada.

2. What age should I be to attend?

Deep River Science Academy is open to high school students who have completed a Grade 10 or higher science high-school credit by June of the year in which they wish to attend the program.  Generally these students are at least 15 years old, but some may be 14.  The guideline given to parents and teachers of fourteen year old students is that, although their student may have the necessary credit to apply to the program, they will have to work in a challenging environment among professional scientists and university undergraduates, as well as dealing with living away from home for six weeks for the first time (for some).  In our previous experience (14 years of running the program) we have found that very young students do not adjust to the many challenges of their living and working environment as well as those a little older, and we advise those younger applicants to wait until they are 15 before attending the Academy.  The top age of our students has been 18.

3. What mark do I need to be accepted?

The level of marks accepted from students is generally in the upper range – above 75% at least, but we do consider students with lower marks if there is a strong recommendation from their science teacher that they would be able to undertake this research experience.  The reason we make this exception is because there have been instances where very able students may not have achieved academic marks which reflect their ability, for a number of reasons, and we particularly do not want to exclude these students from the program, if their teachers see their scientific potential, despite their marks.

4. What credits will I gain?

DRSA Students are awarded two high school credits on successful completion of the program.  The DRSA operates under the direction and guidelines of the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Deep River Campus awards two Ontario Science co-op high school credits (SBI3U, SPH3U or SCH3U), but no academic credits.  The credit awarded – Biology, Physics or Chemistry depends on the type of research the student undertakes.  The research takes place for five days a week in a laboratory.

5. How can a high school student do research in a laboratory?

The way we can make this possible is by hiring one undergraduate science student to act as a tutor to every pair of high school students participating in the DRSA program.  The tutors begin working at the host laboratories in early May to prepare research projects, under the direction of a supervising scientist or engineer.  They prepare the projects to ensure that the high school students can understand what is happening.  This way we can ensure that the high school students can come into the laboratory in July, quickly grasp the context of the project, and have some real participation in the research for six weeks.  At the end of the project they will be required to prepare and present a report on their research.

6. Why is your program so expensive?

Our fees work out to be $800 a week. Compared to other summer camps, our fees are very reasonable. The fees cover all meals, lodging, transportation to and from the work site, a tutor for every two students, recreation supervisors, and recreation and field trips. We do not have any hidden fees – students do no pay extra for field trips.