Twenty of Newfoundland and Labrador’s top students were recognized today for the 2024 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards. The recipients were announced by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, at a ceremony in St. John’s.
Rise Awards are presented to Level II high school students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
To create more opportunities to recognize this province’s brightest, the Department expanded the number of award recipients this year from 15 to 20. The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology provides approximately $320,000 for tuition, accommodations and travel stipends for the students to participate in world-class enrichment programs.
Students will attend one of three enrichment programs for this year’s RISE awards: Research Science Institute, Boston Leadership Institute, and Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program. One successful recipient will attend the research-related enrichment program at the Research Science Institute, located at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); seven recipients will attend the Boston Leadership Institute, located in Wellesley, Massachusetts; and 12 recipients will attend the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program at the University of Toronto. Information on award recipients is included in the backgrounder below.
Research Science Institute is a partnership between the Center for Excellence in Education, a not-for-profit organization based in McLean, Virginia, and MIT. This institute offers a six-week summer enrichment program in the Boston, Massachusetts, area, and emphasizes advanced theory and research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This program introduces students to the entire research process, from literature review to experimental design and analysis.
Boston Leadership Institute is a three-week program held in Wellesley, Massachusetts, offering STEM research programs taught by top educators and researchers. Ranked among the top five summer science enrichment programs in the U.S.A., this program provides students with an opportunity to develop high-level research skills and subject matter expertise through lectures, presentations and hands-on experiments.
Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program is a four-week program held at the University of Toronto. This program offers pre-university engineering and science enrichment, as well as research project design opportunities.
Selection of the RISE Award winners includes an assessment of academic achievement, as well as written essays in which applicants must highlight plans for future study, career and research interests, and how those interests are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador.
The RISE Awards recognize the need for early development of the talent required to advance research and development, innovation and economic growth among our province’s youth. Since 2011, the Provincial Government has provided an opportunity for 183 RISE Award recipients to attend these exceptional programs, investing in the next generation of STEM excellence.
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“The RISE Awards give hardworking and dedicated students from our province the chance to attend world-class enrichment programs, with an aim to expanding their study and career horizons. This year’s expanded cohort of RISE Award recipients demonstrates the Provincial Government’s commitment to supporting and bolstering STEM in Newfoundland and Labrador. I want to send my congratulations to all 20 winners. Their diligent work in both school and extracurricular activities has shown they will make the most of these upcoming enrichment opportunities, and they should all be proud of this accomplishment.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
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Le gouvernement provincial reconnaît les 20 lauréats des prix RISE 2024
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BACKGROUNDER
- Shalom Alemu – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
- Jassem Almutawa – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
- Noah Butt – Discovery Collegiate, Bonavista
- Hannah Cameron – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
- Frank Chen – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
- Daniel Cheng – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
- Christopher Donovan – Discovery Collegiate, Bonavista
- Lauren Farrell – Marystown Central High School, Marystown
- Adhira Ganesh – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
- Nancy Hassan – Gonzaga High School, St. John’s
- Orpa Hawlader – Gonzaga High School in St. John’s
- Felisha Hutchings – Lewisporte Collegiate, Lewisporte
- Ella Ilijanic – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
- Meaghan Lee – École l’ENVOL, Labrador City
- Madison Malone – Prince of Wales Collegiate, St. John’s
- Molly Malone – Prince of Wales Collegiate, St. John’s
- Natalie Mitchell – Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s
- Winner Nwachukwu – Waterford Valley High School, St. John’s
- Sarah Ryan – Holy Spirit High School, Conception Bay South
- Tara Stuckless – Lewisporte Collegiate, Lewisporte