Into the DEEP: The da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program

By Dani Couture

DEEP provides gifted and highly motivated high school students with the opportunity for advanced study in a variety of Engineering disciplines. DEEP offers the most diverse range of pre-university Engineering and science courses in North America. This intense program is designed exclusively for students who excel in math and science and are looking for a true academic challenge.

“DEEP started in 2003 and since then has grown into a multi-faceted program, which includes academic courses, after-class programs and a residential program,” says Mahvish Ashraf, Programs Coordinator for the Engineering Student Recruitment and Outreach Office (ESROO). “Last year, we had around 1,000 students participate in the program.” To date, over 4,000 students have participated in over 200 Engineering course options offered by the Program.

DEEP consists of a diverse slate of Engineering, science and technology courses that are taught by graduate students, faculty members and engineers who work in industry. All of the courses include hands-on activities and laboratories, design work, lectures and discussions. All DEEP courses take place on the St. George Campus.

In the Program, participants meet like-minded peers from other high schools who are interested in the academic challenge and hands-on design work that DEEP offers. The Program provides a unique opportunity for participants to study Engineering in a university setting before they have even filled out their university applications.

Fourth-year U of T Industrial Engineering student Stephanie Whitehurst comments, “DEEP was a positive experience, which gave me a glimpse of what I would be doing in Industrial Engineering. In first-year while many of my peers still did not fully understand what our program was about, I had a firm understanding of the different aspects of the program.”

While some participants enrol in DEEP purely to indulge in technological immersion, others participate to see what attending the University of Toronto would be like. “During my last year of high school, I had a hard time deciding which university I should go to," commented Nichole DeCarlo who is now a fourth-year Engineering Science student. "The more time I spent on campus participating in DEEP, the more I knew Engineering and the University of Toronto was the best choice."

The Program, which offers close to 50 courses during the month of July, has garnered the attention of national and international students. Approximately 15 per cent of last year’s participants came from out-of-province or foreign countries, including China, Pakistan, Switzerland, France, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, the United States and more. 

In the Summer 2008 Program participants will have the opportunity to stay in residence while studying with DEEP. Participants in the optional resident program will stay at New College Residence where they will live and dine together, and participate in a variety of after-class activities.

A trained staff of Residence Counsellors and Dons will live with the participants and lead the activities and events. The residence program is a great opportunity to explore Toronto's diverse cultural and recreational activities, and will allow students to gain some insight into what residence is really like!

(home)