Discovery program

Bridging learning with higher education

Through engaging camps held in a university setting, we connect the interests of young people with academic disciplines, inspiring them to see university education as an achievable goal.

While other Promise Partnership programs take UNB into the community, Discovery invites the community to experience our campus firsthand.

Evening programs

Discovery runs evening middle school programs at the UNB Promise Partnership Maker Space in Annex A. Each program will be open to twelve youths for ten weeks, offering hands-on learning experiences, with 50% of participants receiving bursaries.

Summer program

The Discovery Summer Educational Enrichment Program, hosted at UNB Saint John in collaboration with the Promise Partnership and IHI, is a dynamic summer initiative designed to boost academic success and university access for children and teens in Saint John. This camp provides experiential learning opportunities for UNB student instructors to lead educational programs and offers high school students the chance to volunteer in a university setting, working with youth.

The program, designed for students in Grades 4 to 10, runs for eight weeks in a welcoming university environment. Participants will engage in learning opportunities, including access to advanced science labs, hands-on experiments led by UNB students, and presentations by guest speakers.

With an affordable fee structure to ensure broader access, PETL funding waives fees for 50% of low-income families and supports up to 20 participants from two local priority schools. Meals and snacks are also provided to all campers, ensuring participation is more accessible for families. We express our sincere gratitude to the PETL Access and Success program for their invaluable support in achieving our goals.

Popularity and impact

Our one-week day camps, enriched by collaborations with Worlds UNBound from UNB Fredericton, have seen remarkable growth:

2024: 99% capacity
2023: 93% fill rate

The Discovery Program is a vital resource for academic growth and university access in Saint John, engaging students during the summer and sparking lasting interest in higher education. Additionally, the program provides invaluable teaching experience for UNB student instructors.

In 2023, the program incorporated the Promise Partnership's Digital Literacy initiative, trialing innovative elements in summer camps.

Profs2Classes

Profs2Classes is a UNB initiative designed to engage professors and staff in supporting youth through educational outreach.

Discovery is deeply grateful for the contributions of professors and staff, including the UNB Saint John presenters who enriched the program in 2024: Dr. Rob Moir (Economics), Dr. Hope Alderson (Mathematics), Dr. Jeff McNally (Computer Science), Dr. Sandra Bell (English), Aaron Granger (Biology), Dr. Jen Woodland (Psychology), Todd Ross (UNB Indigenous Advisor), Emily Williams and Gina Lonati (UNB Marine Biology Graduate Students), and Leah McIntosh along with the team of UNB Biology Lab Technicians.

Their expertise and dedication have greatly enhanced the learning experiences of participating youth. The program also benefited from significant collaboration with NBCC, which included providing guided tours for Health Science campers.

Local Saint John and surrounding area schools interested in booking a professor or staff member from UNB Saint John are encouraged to contact Sarah Hetherington, Youth Enrichment Program Coordinator, at sarah.hetherington@unb.ca.