Who should Apply

Black Ontario youth who will be enrolled in Grades 8, 9 and 10 in September 2022 and who have a passion for learning.

What

Integrative thinking has to do with problem solving. It is a special mindset for thinking about complex issues and tackling problems systematically. While this approach to problem solving is taught at universities such as University of Toronto, there is no reason not to introduce high school students to this methodology. We all encounter problems that require solutions – the best solutions – and this is so in all activities and fields such as business, entrepreneurship, technology, medical sciences, politics, and in the wider community. What we do know is that effective leaders are adept at discovering solutions that work well. We also know that whatever career students pursue we invariably require the exercise of good judgement in problem solving and decision making. Would it not be great if high school students got an early start in effective problem solving? This course, I Think – Integrative Thinking, offers SummerUp students an exceptional opportunity to learn a systematic approach to problem solving.

Take a moment to view a short video in which Mara Lederman, professor at the Rotman School, explains integrative thinking. As she puts it, integrative thinking is an approach in: “How to think. How to think deeply. How to think creatively. How to think carefully about a wide variety of problems.”

This course is made available to Black youth who would like a head start in building skill in creative problem solving and decision making. It will guide students in understanding and utilizing a ‘systematic approach to problem solving’ and this can be a boost to academic pursuits and to achieving personal and career success.

Why this Matters

The challenges of the future will need to be met with creativity and collaboration. Students in SummerUp’s I-Think course will work together to solve a real-world challenge by applying Integrative Thinking. The week will allow students to re-examine their, and their communities’ relationship with the Great Lakes and wider environment. Students will work with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) staff as their problem-solving partner to inform decision making to protect, conserve and respect the waterways of the Great Lakes. Students will engage in I-Think’s Real-World Problem-Solving Journey to imagine and present innovative thinking back to TRCA and community members.

During the week students learn to solve complex, real-world problems, and by doing so they will:

• gain fluency in the process of Integrative Thinking,
• learn to become agents of change and envision new possibilities, and
• cooperate, collaborate, build, and share ideas with like-minded peers.

Admissions Information

Who: You will be considered for admission if you are a Black student residing in Ontario, and if you will be enrolled in Grades 8, 9, or 10 in September 2022. As well, you must have a passion for learning, be keen to learn collaboratively with other students, and be totally committed to attending all five in-person sessions (see class schedule below).

Admissions Process: Eligible applicants with a passion for learning will be considered for admission. Refer to application deadlines at https://llileaders.com/summerup/ Applicants will be required to attend a course orientation.

Start/Stop Dates: SummerUp’s I Think – Integrative Thinking will span five days – all within one week starting Monday, July 18 and ending Friday, July 22, 2022. Classes will commence at 9.30 a.m. and end at 3.30 p.m. each day. There will be breaks – including a lunch break. There will also be special programming on the first and last day of the program, including a showcase of work on the final day that parents are invited to attend.

Camp Schedule: Here is the class/event schedule for the week of July 18, 2022. Classes begin on time. Applicants must attend all sessions/events:

Monday, July 18
– Students arrive by 8.30 a.m.
– Orientation/Issue of T-shirts: 8.30 t0 8.45 a.m.
– Community Lunch: Students will be provided lunch on this day. It’s a way of ‘getting to know you…”
– Class time: 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. (includes breaks)

Tuesday, July 19
– Students arrive by 9.15 a.m.
– Lunch: Students will provide their own lunch.
– Class time: 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. (includes breaks) Much of this day will be spent on a field trip.

Wednesday, July 20
– Students arrive by 9.15 a.m.
– Lunch: Students will provide their own lunch.
– Class time: 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. (includes breaks)

Thursday, July 21
– Students arrive by 9.15 a.m.
– Lunch: Students will provide their own lunch.
– Class time: 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. (includes breaks)

Friday, July 22
– Students arrive by 9.15 a.m.
– Community Lunch: Students will be provided lunch on this day. It’s a way of solidifying ‘community’
– Class time: 9.30 a.m. to 2.15 p.m. (includes breaks)
– Projects Showcase: 2.30 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. Students will present team projects they worked on during the week. Parents and families are invited.
– It’s a wrap! The course ends at 3.45 p.m.

Dress: Inasmuch as this course is delivered in-person and given that appropriate dress is a part of the learning experience, we require students to dress appropriately. While on campus, each student will be provided a T-shirt which must always be worn. On field trip day (rain or shine), there will be walking, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Parent Role: We deliver this course in partnership with parents and legal guardians. We ask parents to ensure students arrive and depart the campus safely and on time; that provision for lunch is made on the three days a ‘community lunch’ is not provided, and that students are appropriately dressed. Parents must attend an online orientation for selected students.

Mode: This course is delivered in-person. An online version will not be available. Given the organization of this course, students will not need to bring laptop computers to class.

Campus Site: This in-person course will be delivered on the campus of University of Toronto, St. George Campus. University of Toronto Schools (UTS) is on the corner of Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue and is highly accessible by TTC. Selected students will be provided location directions.

Vaccination and Masks (Updated June 15, 2022):
Our SummerUp website (Student Responsibilities) makes a general statement relating to Vaccination and Masks. This general statement reads: “We encourage all students, instructors and staff who are engaged in in-person and hybrid classes to be fully vaccinated. While SummerUp will not require proof of vaccination, there may be occasion where this is a requirement by certain institutions…”

University of Toronto Schools, where this course, I Think – Integrative Thinking, will be taught, does require students on campus to be fully vaccinated. What this means is, in order for you to participate in this particular SummerUp course, you must show proof of vaccination (e.g. your vaccination certificate) prior to the start of the course. Without proof of vaccination, you will not be admitted into this course. Also, “masking will be strongly recommended, unless a 2-meter distance cannot be maintained (such as close work in a classroom). Exceptions to the 2-meter spacing requirement include when actively eating/drinking, engaged in strenuous physical activity, or playing an instrument/singing/performing. Teachers leading summer camps can require participants to wear masks when the 2-meter rule cannot be maintained.” (UTS)

Faculty

Richard Cook – Program Coordinator

Richard Cook teaches at the University of Toronto Schools (UTS) and is a member of the Canadian and World Studies Department. He is the coordinator of the school’s Global Citizenship Program. He has been with UTS for over 15 years and has a passion for geography and environmental education. He has travelled extensively and wants to bring to our community the best ideas and approaches to living sustainably from places all over the world.

About University of Toronto Schools

University of Toronto Schools (UTS) is an independent, merit-based university preparatory school, affiliated with the University of Toronto. It is located on the University’s St. George Campus. Founded in 1910, the school provides a transformative education program of academic distinction to approximately 670 students in grades 7 through 12. UTS graduates love learning, take initiative, and innovate as socially responsible global citizens and go on to attend many of the most selective universities around the world.

Special Note:

SummerUp is a program designed to serve and support the personal and professional aspirations of Ontario’s Black youth. The program is developed and presented by the Lifelong Leadership Institute (LLI), and it is primarily funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The quality of the SummerUp experience is assured by the contributions of a diverse group of individuals, educators, institutions and corporations. All are committed to championing the well-being, development and advancement of Black youth.

The Lifelong Leadership Institute also offers the Leadership by Design program which provides extensive leadership-development opportunities to Black youth.

The SummerUp 2022 program is primarily funded by the Ontario Ministry of Education.