News Release: For Immediate Release - SHAD

News Release: For Immediate Release SHAD award winners come up with innovative ideas to get Canadians off their computers and phones and playing outside Waterloo, ON – October 22, 2015 – A team of high school students from six different provinces was the overall winner of the SHAD - John Dobson Entrepreneurship Cup, devising a creative way to get Canadians more active. The students created PlayPod while at one of SHAD’s host universities, Dalhousie University, last July. It is a modular pod that dispenses sports equipment for free, 24 hours a day at public parks. The equipment is rented the same way you would a library book. It was given high marks by a panel of expert judges because of its functional design, broad application as well as how it helps families with limited resources. Named after one of SHAD’s long serving supporters who was passionate about youth and entrepreneurship, the SHAD - John Dobson Entrepreneurship Cup showcases the exceptional talent and innovative ideas of SHAD Fellows. Awards in seven categories were presented this evening in Waterloo, Ontario where SHAD is based, in front of an audience of about 400 people which included SHAD alumni, family, university representatives and other supporters. “We have seen once again this year some exceptional innovation and students who I know we will hear a lot more from in the years to come,” says Barry Bisson, SHAD President. “It is rewarding to hear students year after year talk about how important SHAD is to helping them become leaders. And this network is getting stronger and stronger.” “I think this program is very significant to other young people who have grown up in rural areas, because when they go to SHAD they have the opportunity to explore options they may have never considered, and meet people they may have never thought to talk to,” says Ethan Milne of Goderich, Ontario, a town of just over 7,000 people. “Beyond that, they become part of a supportive community that can advise them, or connect them in order to accomplish their goals.” SHAD is Canada’s leading network for developing innovators, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Its 14,800 alumni include 27 Rhodes Scholars and many others who have become leaders in their fields. The SHAD network brings together top high school students in grades 10, 11 and 12 who apply to receive one of more than 600 coveted scholarships. Each July, the students live for one month at one of 12, soon to be 13, university campuses around the country and are presented with a challenge facing Canadian society. They have to work together to develop completely original products and services and explore how to bring them to market with the best fighting it out for the SHAD - John Dobson Entrepreneurship Cup. This year, the theme was all about play. With Canadians spending so much time on their computers and phones, with highly structured activities, and concerns about perceived risks outside the home, the students were asked what they could do to encourage Canadians to play outside. 8 Young St. East Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2L3

T: (519) 884-8844 www.SHAD.ca

News Release: For Immediate Release Other award winners include AiRiA (2nd place overall) an attachment for your barbeque that helps reduce carbon dioxide emitted by barbeques and turns it in into fertilizer, making it easier for people to play outdoors and Get Out and Go (3rd place overall) an app added to a smart phone that encourages Canadians to participate in popular activities and collect points which can be redeemed at their favourite businesses. SHAD - John Dobson Entrepreneurship Cup award winners include: Best Overall: PlayPod – SHAD Dalhousie Best Marketing: Expedition Lite – SHAD Calgary Best Prototype: Get Out and Go – SHAD Memorial Best Business Plan: PlayPod – SHAD Dalhousie Best Application of Theme: PlayPod – SHAD Dalhousie Best Application of Scientific Principles: TopPlay – SHAD Waterloo Best Website: Breathable – SHAD Laval Students on the Best Overall team Play Pod include: Dani Aman, Oromocto, New Brunswick Alex Badea, Toronto, Ontario Emily Chan, Langley, British Columbia Mia Harle, Pembroke, Ontario Ellie McLeod, Victoria, British Columbia Tim Meredith, Lutes Mountain, New Brunswick Ethan Milne, Goderich, Ontario Matthew Mong, Vancouver, British Columbia

Jody Mou, North York, Ontario Partha Patel, Mississauga, Ontario Hilary Ransom, Stonewall, Manitoba Yuvraj Thind, Harbour Breton, Newfoundland and Labrador Maggie Wang, Calgary, Alberta Cindy Zeng,Toronto, Ontario Eniko Zsoldos, Brampton, Ontario

About SHAD: SHAD is a Canadian charitable non-profit organization that helps exceptional high student students recognize and envision their full potential as tomorrow’s leaders and change makers. Each year, the SHAD program provides the opportunity for more than 600 students from across Canada and internationally to attend a transformational month-long summer program at one of 13 Canadian host communities focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). There are currently more than 14,800 SHAD alumni consisting of 27 Rhodes Scholars, Top 40 under 40, Top 20 under 20 award recipients and many leaders in their fields, all sharing the Uncommon Purpose of the SHAD experience and able to leverage their SHAD network for life. Applications for 2016 are available now until November 30 2015 at www.shad.ca For more information or to set up an interview, please contact: Teddy Katz Vice President, Media Relations | SHAD [email protected] | office (519) 884-8844 ext. 226 | mobile (647) 505-8095

8 Young St. East Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2L3

T: (519) 884-8844 www.SHAD.ca