Thank you for another amazing summer! Information for our Summer 2025 programs will be available in late January. See below information for our Summer 2024 courses.
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Immerse yourself in a transformative educational experience with our Spark Lab Programs—a series of week-long sessions meticulously crafted for students in grades 9 to 12 seeking dynamic, hands-on exploration of science.
Using experiment-based lab work, students explore physics, biology, and chemistry within our undergraduate student spaces. Escape the traditional classroom and join us on a journey of scientific discovery through experimentation.
The Spark Lab Program is an open-enrollment program, offering convenience and accessibility to eager learners. Secure your spot through online registration and foster a passion for science through immersive, interactive learning experiences.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Grade Level
Grades 9-12
Dates
Weekly from July 2 to August 2, 2024
Time
9:30am to 3:30pm
Pricing
Four-Day Week: $376.00
Five-Day Week: $440.00
Summer 2024 Course Schedule
Courses fall under the following streams: Experimental and Research.
Experimental Spark courses are developed and delivered by undergraduate/graduated students, Teacher Candidates, or Ontario Certified Teachers through hands-on, interactive, and innovative activities.
Research Spark courses are developed and delivered by graduate students and/or Professors and are based on the research they are doing at York.
Date: July 8-12, 2024
Grade: 9 to 10
This is a Spark Lab Experimental stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 80-85%
Description: Immerse yourself in the fascinating realm where biology meets chemistry. Participants will unravel the molecular mysteries of life through hands-on experiments and interactive learning. From testing macromolecules in common foods to understanding enzyme kinetics, Biochemistry camp offers an enchanting journey into the building blocks of living organisms. Join us for a week of scientific exploration, where budding biochemists delve into the intricacies of cellular processes and molecular structures. It’s time to discover the magic happening at the intersection of biology and chemistry in an engaging and intellectually stimulating Biochemistry camp experience!
Date: July 2-5, 2024* and July 15-19, 2024
Grade: 9 to 10
This is a Spark Lab Experimental stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 80-85%
Description: If you’re interested in solving mysteries with the help of science, then learn how to become a Forensic Scientist as we explore all facets of forensic investigations. Students will be faced with challenging questions and scenarios to discover what happened at the crime scene, what evidence is there, and who is the perpetrator. Students will uncover evidence and learn investigative techniques including how to dust for fingerprints, DNA analysis, examine blood splatter, footwear and tire tread impressions and more. Solve our most interesting puzzles and delve into the mind of an investigator by processing a crime scene at York University.
Note: This is course was offered in Summer 2023.
*The July 2-5, 2024 session is a four-day course
Date: July 22-26, 2024
Grade: 9 to 10
This is a Spark Lab Experimental stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 80-85%
Description: Throughout this intensive program, participants will embark on a fascinating journey into the depths of human and animal biology. Through a blend of interactive lectures, laboratory experiments, and hands-on dissections, we will delve into key physiological concepts. Hands-on dissections will provide invaluable opportunities to examine the anatomical features of organs like the heart, brain, and musculoskeletal system, fostering a deeper understanding of their structure-function relationships. Investigate the effects of different stimuli on muscle contraction, exploring the physiology of the nervous system through sensory perception tests, and more. Participants will develop a profound appreciation for the complexity of the human body and gain practical skills in laboratory techniques and anatomical exploration.
Date: July 29 to August 2, 2024
Grade: 9 to 10
This is a Spark Lab Experimental stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 80-85%
Description: Microbes may be invisible to the naked eye, but they make up a large component of the world – including us! While microbes like bacteria are often associated with infection or illness, there are a lot of good bacteria that are essential to life. What roles do they have in the human body? How do certain microbes cause infectious diseases? What’s the difference between “good” and “bad” bacteria? Join us to uncover the biological secrets at the microscopic level. Students in this course will use different microbiological techniques to learn about microorganisms and how they impact the world around us.
Date: July 15-19, 2024
Grade: 11 to 12
This is a Spark Lab Experimental stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 80-85%
Description: Embark on an exciting journey to explore the wonders of the human body through engaging experiments and hands-on activities! Ever wondered what lies beneath your skin, powering every heartbeat and breath? Get ready to uncover the mysteries of anatomy as we delve into dissections of vital organs like the heart and lung, revealing their intricate structures and functions. But that’s just the beginning! We’ll also delve into the fascinating realm of immunology and disease, conducting experiments to understand how our bodies defend against pathogens and maintain health. From investigating homeostasis and the delicate balance within our internal environment to comparing the anatomy of humans with that of other animals, every day promises new discoveries. Join us for a week filled with exploration, discovery, and a deeper understanding of the incredible complexities of the human body!
Date: July 8-12, 2024
Grade: 11 to 12
This is a Spark Lab Research stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 85%-90%.
Course Description
The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is often used as a model organism to provide insight into human physiological systems because the “simple” insect system is considered functionally analogous to human systems. The fly genetics course will explore powerful molecular, genetic, and physiological tools to investigate biological systems. This includes examining the neuroendocrine system that regulates the renal organs of the insect similar to the mammalian kidney using techniques like the bipartite GAL4/UAS system to express or knockdown genes in a tissue/cell-specific manner. In addition, students will also explore other techniques, such as in vitro bioassays to measure urine secretions from the insect renal organs and physiological assays that can measure the percent survival from changes in genetics. Overall, this course is very useful in understanding concepts of animal physiology since the fruit fly is used as a model to study kidney diseases.
About the Instructor
Marishia Agard is currently pursuing her PhD in biology at York University. Her research focuses on invertebrate neuroendocrinology, using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) to gain insights into human renal function and diseases. Marishia has extensive experience in teaching lab techniques and STEM activities, having worked as a camp instructor, camp counsellor, and mentor for the Science Engagement Programs. She has previously taught the Introduction to Genetics course at the Science Engagement Programs Spark Labs, which covered molecular, cellular, genetic, and physiological techniques. Marishia has also served as a teaching assistant and is currently a teaching assistant coordinator for an undergraduate animal physiology course at York University. Her ultimate goal is to continue researching fly genetics in animal physiology and teaching students.
Date: July 22-26, 2024
Grade: 11 to 12
This is a Spark Lab Research stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 85%-90%.
Course Description
This course is designed to give students a sense of what the field of neuroscience is and where it is going, intended to provide a general introduction to the most essential principles of neuroscience. The goal of this course is to give a strong foundational understanding of the human brain and the techniques utilized in recent research. Topics cover neuroanatomy and the function of major brain regions, with a focus on the sensory and motor systems that are closely related to our daily activities. Besides a series of lectures and demonstrations in classes, students will have fieldtrips to the neuroimaging centre equipped with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at York University where they will experience the MRI process in the scanner as well as learn the basic MRI theory onsite.
About the Instructor
Dr. Bianca Baltaretu obtained her PhD in Biology with a Neuroscience specialization from York University. Her research focuses on understanding how the visual system works for perception of simple to complex object features for action within abstract to naturalistic scenes. To do this, Dr. Baltaretu uses a carefully selected set of experimental approaches, ranging from virtual reality set-ups to neuroimaging tools (MRI). Over her graduate studies, she has offered introductory neuroscience courses that prepare students with an advanced level of knowledge for university and beyond.
Date: July 22-26, 2024
Grade: 11 to 12
This is a Spark Lab Research Stream course and it is recommended that students have a minimum overall average of 85%-90%.
Course Description
Are you curious about how medications are discovered, produced, and how they work in our bodies? In the Pharmaceutical Chemistry course, you will learn answers to these and many other interesting questions about common medicines like Tylenol or Pepto Bismol and more complex drugs that treat heart disease, cancer, and viral and bacterial infections. In addition to classroom lectures and discussions of these topics, students partaking in the course will gain hands-on experience working with several drugs in a chemical laboratory performing their synthesis and analysis. Students will also explore the structure of the drugs and how they interact with their targets using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. By the end of the course, the participants will have learned several interesting examples, methods and techniques used in modern pharmaceutical chemistry and have learned the foundations of drug action in the human body.
About the Instructors
Taught by Dr. Derek Jackson and Dr. Kyle Belozerov.
Chemistry Professors Kyle Belozerov and Derek Jackson have won a provincial honour for innovative teaching: the Minister’s Award of Excellence in the Future-Proofing Ontario’s Students, which recognizes faculty and staff who have led the way in adapting programs that support new ways of learning.
They received the award for their work with virtual reality (VR) in chemistry courses. Motivated by the desire to help students learn the structure and behavior of complex molecules, the team leveraged the unique capabilities of VR to teach students about these molecules in a completely new, immersive and engaging, as well as accessible and equitable, way. The team developed a variety of interactive VR activities designed to help students manipulate molecules and research crucial aspects of the structure underlying their reactivity and biological function. The ability to mentally manipulate complex objects in three-dimensional space, known as “3D literacy,” is a crucial skill for all students majoring in STEM disciplines, and it is highly valued in the modern science and technology work environment.
Date: July 29 to August 2, 2024
Grade: 11 to 12
This is a Spark Lab Research stream course and it is recommended students have a minimum overall average of 85%-90%.
Course Description
Did you know that plants, and indeed all life, can glow? At the intersection of physics, chemistry, and biology, the field of biophotonics–“life” and “light”–is a branch of biophysics which finds itself uniquely suited to tackle one of the most pressing topics of our time: the health of our environment and sustainability on Earth. In this course, students will uncover nature’s strategies for breathing colour into life with a focus on the intriguing phenomenon of fluorescence. Students will have the opportunity to learn about exotic plant species housed at the YorkU greenhouse. In chemistry and physics labs, students will gain hands-on experience with fluorescence spectroscopy, even by counting individual particles of light! By the end of the course, students will gain valuable skills in research and understand how the light-life interaction is an important tool for studying the health of plants and other organisms. Students will also look beyond—they will visit the MiBAR Biophotonics Research Lab to explore new frontiers for these techniques in medicine and how they can be used to study human health in space!
About the Instructors
Professor Ozzy Mermut and Professor William Pietro: Prof. Ozzy Mermut is a biophysics professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at York University. Her specialty is in biophotonics, using light to study biological matter and diseases, develop diagnostic biosensors and phototherapeutics. Prof. William Pietro is a chemistry professor in the Department of Chemistry. His speciality is in developing advanced photo-active functional materials and biotech devices.
Coral Hillel graduated from York University with a Specialized Honours B.Sc. in Biophysics. With a passion for research in this highly interdisciplinary field, Coral is currently pursuing a M.Sc. in photonics and chemical physics under supervision of Prof. Ozzy Mermut and Prof. William Pietro. Her work focuses on the exciting area of molecular photoswitches and Science Engagement Programs Great Science Plays Here Page 7 of 15 photoresponsive materials. Using both experimental and computational approaches, Coral investigates the fundamental properties of these photoswitches towards improving the design of photoresponsive materials, including optical sensors and light-triggered recyclable materials. Throughout her studies at York, Coral has been passionate about communicating biophysics to her fellow peers and the wider community through volunteer tutoring, student physics clubs, and YorkU biophysics outreach.
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