Brain Power Student David Firer Wins Governor General's Academic Medal for 2017-2018!
We are very proud of our alumnus of the month, David Firer (see his profile below), who was awarded the Governor General's Academic Medal for 2017-2018.
"The Bronze Medal is awarded for academic excellence to the student who achieves the highest average upon graduating from a secondary school."
Congratulations, David!
What an amazing achievement!
About winning the award, David says:
"I definitely wouldn't have been able to win the Governor General's Academic Medal without the help that I received from everyone at Brain Power! Once again, thank you so much. Without the support from Karine, Reuven, Jason, and others, I wouldn't be half the person I am now. I am extremely grateful for all the help from Brain Power."
To find out more about David, check out his Alumni of the Month profile below!
Ally Zhao Returns from Arctic Expedition Students on Ice - 2018!
In late spring, we announced that Brain Power student Ally Zhao was selected as 1 of only 120 high school students to take part in the prestigious Arctic Expedition 2018. In addition to this remarkable achievement, Ally also won a $5000 scholarship from the organization to support her attendance.
Brain Power is proud to have supported Ally's application and her GoFundMe campaign.
Ally has just returned from this incredible experience and she blogged throughout her journey about Brain Power and Brain Power's Founder and Director, Dr. Karine Rashkovsky.
Here's short piece from one of Ally's blog posts:
"Now, as tenth grade is coming in a few weeks, and with my whole future in front of me, I will definitely use what I have learned during these two weeks on expedition to help guide me through my life, and try to make an impact on those around me. I also want to say thank you to Students on Ice, the Robert Schad Foundation, my friends and family, Karine Rashkovsky and her amazing team at Brain Power Enrichment Programs, and to everybody else who has helped support me through this journey. I would never have been able to take such a big stride in my life without you."
Sign Up Now for Brain Power's Cultural Capital and World Affairs Workshop!
Join Brain Power's FREE* Book Club!
HOW IT WORKS:
1. Check out the details on our awesome book club events below!
2. Register for your choices in person at the front office or by phone (905-303-5457) or email at info@brainpower.ca
3. Pick up a copy of the book at a bookstore or your local/school library!
4. Have a great time finishing the book before we meet!
5. Join us for an exciting discussion of the book and/or a performance.
* Events that include a performance may also have a charge for ticket prices. See details in the event descriptions below.
Check Out Our New March Break Workshops!
Secrets of Science &
Science Research 101
Alumni of the Month: David Firer
Attending: McGill University, B.Sc. Biological, Biomedical, & Life Sciences.
Awards: Governor General's Academic Medal for 2017-2018, McGill Major Entrance Scholarship.
Thoughts on Brain Power: Brain Power is amazing! I was constantly challenged to think outside of the box, helping develop my reasoning skills and preparing me for my academic life. I wouldn't be who I am now without the excellent teachers at Brain Power.
Follow Brain Power on Social Media!
Facebook and Instagram
CONTESTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Google Science Fair
If you are between the ages of 13-18, Google wants to hear your best ideas using science, technology, engineering, and math!
Google thinks that a great idea can be big or small and come from anyone, anywhere. The next great idea could come from you!
You can think up your ideas by yourself or with a group of friends. Google has provided lots of online resources to help you develop, test, and submit your ideas.
"The Prime Minister’s Youth Council is a group of young Canadians who provide non-partisan advice to the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada on issues of importance to them and to all Canadians. Listening to young people about issues that matter to them is an important commitment of the government. As Minister of Youth, the Prime Minister wants to hear directly from young people. The Prime Minister’s Youth Council is one mechanism to support this dialogue."
"Youth Council members meet both online and in person several times a year to discuss issues that matter to their peers, their community, and their country. They interact with each other outside of meetings to discuss ideas and upcoming activities, and to talk with their peers about issues that matter most to them. There may also be opportunities to engage with local and national organizations, meet with policy makers and decision-makers like Cabinet Ministers, and attend public events."
Math Homework at Brain Power:
A Recipe for Academic Growth
We believe in encouraging children to develop a “growth mindset” that views challenges as “energizing rather than intimidating” because “they offer opportunities to learn” (Dweck 2015).
This requires that students are challenged, and that means getting stuck on certain questions, getting certain questions incorrect, and returning to rethink certain questions more than once.
This is why we deliberately split our homework questions between those that:
Give students an opportunity to reiterate and reinforce skills and techniques that they have learned (or seen demonstrated) in the classroom.
Challenge students to use their creative thinking to tackle problems that go a bit beyond what they have learned (or seen demonstrated) in the classroom.
If students get a homework question incorrect, they should reattempt (but not resubmit) it before the next class. (Parents should not feel obligated to “step in” to explain the problem to their child.)
In the next class, the instructor will review all of the homework questions, taking extra time to explain those that students found particularly challenging.
Not only does this approach encourage children’s academic growth, but it also bolsters their self-reliance, resilience, creativity, and flexibility in the face of intellectual challenges.
More information on developing a "growth mindset" in children:
