Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology

OPEN HOUSE ALERT: For prospective families interested in applying to VISST High School this year or in the future, please note our upcoming Open Houses: Thursday Oct 17, 2024 from 5-7pm and Saturday Nov 2, 2024 from 2-4pm. Don't miss the opportunity to meet VISST staff and teachers, tour our beautiful space and have all your questions answered. Please RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2hb9jxLXEqz4OEnw6x-sjtd2VAqVHjmGdo7B-X7GEQSe-nw/viewform.

Following the success of our longest running and most popular camp, Puzzle Game Programming, we are now taking it to the next level! Students will delve into PuzzleScript+, an extended version of , with more features and functionality. In this brand new camp, students will have the opportunity to explore and experiment under the guidance of an instructor, and create more complicated and elevated . Register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/puzzles2.

We are now offering weekend workshops in 3D Modeling and Animation. Our 3D Modeling and Animation - Level 2 weekend classes are for kids in grades 5-8 who have started an animation project and want to take it to the next level and/or want to learn more advanced animation software skills (Blender). Register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/3danimation2.

We are excited to introduce a new initiative for Grade 5-7 students, the VISST Math Club. This weekend program promotes the joy of math rather than memorization or repetition, and builds on the success of our recent summer camp and high school math appreciation initiative. First class is Sunday Oct 6th! Space is limited. Find out more and register here: https://www.visst.ca/camps/math-club.

We're very happy to launch our third school year! VISST has grown so much in two years, from 4 staff and 16 students in September 2022 to 11 staff members and over 60 students across grades 8-11 at present. We and the students are also enjoying our expanded facility, now occupying two floors here at 1490 W Broadway. We are already looking forward to our first graduation in June 2026.

Time flies when you are having fun. Only a couple of weeks of left. Here are some pictures of some of our completed camps including The World of Quantum Computing and , How to Win at Games Using and - Make Your Own Animated Movie.

feature: 3D Modeling and Animation.
One of our most popular camps and back by popular demand, our and camp is for students aged 11-14 who love watching 3D animated movies! Discover how to create your own 3D animations just like they do in the movies. Using Blender, an open-source 3D modeling program, students, in collaboration with their peers, will learn the basics of 3D modeling and animation to produce their own short movie. Only a few spaces left, register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/3danimationsummer.

feature: Generative AI and Machine Learning, Demystified.
From self-driving cars to chatbots like and AI-generated art, the magic of and is reshaping our future. So, is machine learning only accessible to researchers and engineers at powerful tech companies? Nope! In this camp - designed by a Data Scientist from the University of British Columbia for students aged 12-15 years - you will be able to demystify the world of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, learn about its ethical implications, and even create something amazing using AI technology yourself! No prior experience in computer science or machine learning is required. Spaces are going fast, register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/machinelearning.

feature: Super Spy Science.
From real history to video games, spies are a fascinating source of stories and adventures! And any good spy needs a helping hand from super and mysterious ! In this camp, designed for students aged 10-14 years, you’ll learn about the science of spying and build your very own spy kit, complete with code-making tools, invisible ink, and your own biometric ID. Some spaces still remain, register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/spy.

Our most recent blog post is called "A love letter to spreadsheets". Find out why here: https://www.visst.ca/blog/a-love-letter-to-spreadsheets.

Summer Camp feature: How to Win at Games using Math.
The we learn in school is useful for science, engineering, and many other areas. But what about doing math just for math’s sake? In this , for students aged 10-12, you’ll explore a new side of math that you don’t see in school – and maybe discover a new joy in math along the way.
The theme? : board games, card games, pencil & paper games and hand games. If you are a math lover or a game lover, you’ll be sure to appreciate this camp! Designed and facilitated by Dr. Mike Gelbart, this camp will aim to help you appreciate math in a fresh, engaging, and appropriately challenging experience for all campers, regardless of your affinity for school math. Math skeptics and math lovers are all welcome here!
This camp is almost full. Register here: https://www.visst.ca/camps/mathgames

TBT. Check out some snapshots of our summer camp "Science Matters: Engineering Design Competition" from summer 2023. Join in the fun this year: https://www.visst.ca/camps/sciencematters.

Summer Camp Feature: Science Matters - Engineering Design Competition.
In this camp, students aged 10-13, get to use their imagination, creativity, team work and presentation skills, brains and hands. They get to enhance their science learning and achieve an understanding of a variety of topics to prepare for STEM design competitions. Students will be given a series of challenges and will cooperate to design and build machines, structures, and devices that can solve real-world problems. The camp integrates resources from the current British Columbia curriculum and supplemental teaching and exercise materials from the instructor. By the end of the camp, students will possess a detailed understanding of the course topics, skills in designing and building tools and experiments and have a broader understanding of careers in STEM. Let’s have fun and see how exciting science can be! This camp is filling up fast. Register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/sciencematters.

Summer Camp Feature: Language and Language Technology.
Our newest and, maybe, most unique . It is all about the field of and, within it, the field of . Computational Linguists are the scientists who helped develop the based language models such as . Students, aged 11-14 years, will investigate language: How it emerges, how we understand it and how it is changing....AND how this knowledge is contributing to building language technologies like ChatGPT. Developed and taught by two UBC Department of Linguistics faculty members, this camp allows students to explore a whole new field they may never have thought about. Intrigued? Register here: https://www.visst.ca/camps/language.

Summer Camp Feature: The World of Quantum Computing and AI.
Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that and are the fastest developing and emerging technologies that are going to be revolutionizing our world. Make sure you don’t fall behind. In this camp, students aged 13-15, will explore quantum mechanics, build an AI model and learn the basics of one of the most widely used computer languages in the world, . Tying it all together: A week-long project in which you have the opportunity to apply your learning. Find out more here: https://www.visst.ca/camps/quantumcomputing

Check out what our students created in just a few hours in our Spring Break 3D Modeling and Animation camp. Not only did they create a 3D model, they also animated a short movie and uploaded it to Youtube.

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Intrigued? We will be offering this camp again in the summer. Register here: https://www.visst.ca/camps.

Want to play some video games? Check out what some of our 2D Game Design camp students created from scratch in just 15 hours:
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Register for our summer camps now: https://www.visst.ca/camps.

....And that's a wrap! Here are some snapshots of the two spring break camps we just completed: 2D Game Design and 3D Modeling + Animation. Congratulations to all our students! Stay tuned for a showcase of their work on our Student Work page. Intrigued? You can register for our summer camps here: https://www.visst.ca/camps.

Summer camp feature: Design Your Own Dairy Farm.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to run a modern dairy farm? What are the financial, environmental, logistical and social aspects of diary farming? What is the life of a dairy cow like and where does your milk come from? Designed by a team of animal welfare scientists from the University of British Columbia for students aged 10-14, in this camp you will discover the complex world of modern dairy farming. Follow the life of a dairy cow from birth to retirement and reimagine the future of dairy farming. Your final mission, should you wish to accept it, is to design your very own dairy farm using all the concepts you learned. All materials will be provided. Register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/moovingforward.

Summer Camp feature: Claymation, Make Your Own Animated Movie.
In this camp, students aged 8-11, mould characters and craft intricate sets using clay to bring their imagination to life, frame by frame. They will learn the fundamentals of stop motion animation, mastering techniques that transform simple clay into captivating characters with vibrant personalities. With hands-on practice and collaborative projects, campers not only develop artistic skills but also cultivate teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Join us for an unforgettable adventure in creativity and storytelling through the magic of claymation! Register now: https://www.visst.ca/camps/claymation

Summer Camp feature: A Sustainable World.
In this camp, students aged 8-11, will learn about the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). while experimenting, making deep observations, and playing games. In this hands-on camp with lots of outdoor activities, we break down complex topics such as biodiversity, clean energy and population health into easily understood concepts to expand and deepen students’ understanding of the world around them.
Register here: https://www.visst.ca/camps/sustainableworld.

We are excited to announce that our 2024 summer camps are now open for registration. Following high demand in previous years, we're doubling the number of camps and bringing in fascinating new topics. From Artificial Intelligence and Language Technology to 3D Modeling, Claymation, Sustainable Farming and Coding for Girls, there is something for everyone! Register now before they fill up: https://www.visst.ca/camps.

STEM-focussed camps for kids aged 8-17 in Vancouver — VISST STEM-focussed spring, summer, weekend and after school camps for kids aged 8-17, offered by the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology - Vancouver's first and only dedicated STEM high school.

Enjoy our most latest blog post - Book Review: The Coddling of the American Mind: https://www.visst.ca/blog/book-review-the-coddling-of-the-american-mind.

Book Review: The Coddling of the American Mind — VISST How a book about dialogue on college campuses resolved my confusion about declining academic standards.

Our 3D Modeling and Animation spring break camp is designed for students aged 11-13 who love watching animated movies and want to learn how to create their own. Students will use Blender, an open source 3D modelling and animation program, to produce their own short movie and upload it to Youtube. Having fun is guaranteed! Register here: https://www.visst.ca/camps/3danimation.

3D Modeling and Animation — VISST Spring Break Camp: If you love watching 3D animated movies, this is the camp for you! Discover how to create your own 3D animations just like they do in the movies. Using Blender, an open-source 3D modeling program, students, in collaboration with their peers, will learn the basics of 3D modeling a

Back by popular demand, our 2D Game Design camp enables students to develop both the left and right sides of their brains. Not only will they boost their creativity by designing heroes and worlds, they will also learn coding using Inkscape and Godot. On the last day of the camp, they will upload their game to a platform to play with their friends and families. Intrigued? Register here: https://www.visst.ca/camps.

Our spring break camps are currently open for registration! Register now before they fill up: https://www.visst.ca/camps.

Today, discover our Deconstructing TikTok camp. In this camp you will learn how to safely navigate social media by turning the tables on the Facebook, Instagram and TikTok's of the world. What personal data do they collect, share and use and how do they make money? You will create your own social media ads and unravel "the algorithm" they use to target to their audiences. This camp is all about taking a look behind the scenes of data collection, and much more.

Read our latest blog post about if schools should assign homework: https://lnkd.in/gYWdRuU8.

A reminder that our priority admissions deadline of Dec 31 is rapidly approaching. See our admissions page for more information: https://www.visst.ca/admissions.

Admissions Overview — VISST VISST AdmissionsApply to VISSTUse the button below to apply for our September 2024 intake (Grades 8-11) or February 2024 mid-year intake (Grades 8-10). Apply now for our February 2024 and September 2024 intakes! TimelineFirst-round admissions deadline: Dec 31, 2023.For applications received by Dec 3...

Registration is now open for our 2024 Spring Break camps! Back by popular demand, Deconstructing TikTok delves into social media advertising and how it influences us. Or get creative with our 2D game design and 3D Modeling and Animation camps. Find out more here: https://www.visst.ca/camps.

Join us on November 23rd, 2:30-3:30pm at VISST (200-1490 W Broadway, Vancouver). All teens are welcome, and there is no fee to attend. This event is about providing opportunities for writers and readers to connect, and to inspire a new generation of aspiring writers.