2025 Summer Highlights

July 8th – National Research Council Tour

The 2025 WISE SSEP participants were given a tour of the National Research Council (NRC). During the tour, participants were shown around the facility and observed the process of how the NRC builds model sea vessels, including cargo ships, smaller boats, submarines, and more. We visited various test tanks, such as the wave tank and the ice tank, used to evaluate different vessel models. The group also toured the cold rooms, where we learned about the NRC’s thermal mannequin, which is used to test cold-weather equipment and clothing.

July 10th – Movie Night

 Our first social event of the year was movie night. The group voted on a movie and landed on Ocean’s 8. We watched the movie in our comfortable clothes with popcorn and snacks!

July 15th – MUN Engineering Tour

This week, the WISE SSEP participants were given a tour of MUN Engineering. We received an overview of what engineering is and what it’s like to study engineering at MUN. The course load was explained to us, along with a brief introduction to each engineering discipline. We also learned about the student teams available at MUN.

After that, we visited various engineering labs, such as the fluids lab and the metallurgy lab. The importance of testing metals when designing ships, buildings, and other structures was demonstrated through the use of metal testing machinery.

In the CSF, we toured the computer and electrical engineering labs to learn more about these disciplines at MUN. The participants then made their way to the Bruneau Centre, where we were introduced to process engineering. We were shown different machines and equipment used in the field and also learned about CO₂ capture and storage.

July 17th – Trivia Night

This week’s social event was trivia night. We split off into teams of three and answered questions from different categories. The categories were general knowledge, movie quotes, women in STEM, music, flags, and tv shows. We also had an ice cream bar and snacks. Congratulations to the winners Grace P., Sophia and Isabelle!

July 22nd – MUN Medicine Tour

MUN Medicine invited the WISE SSEP participants to their building this morning to learn about their work. We visited the cadaver labs to learn about the classes and projects that involve these resources. Next, we toured the 3D printing lab, where we were shown projects created by medical students and doctors with the help of the lab.

Another aspect of medical school we explored was the simulation labs, which involve standardized patients. We also saw the various mannequins used in these simulation exercises.

July 23rd – MUN Science Tour

After our visit to MUN Med, we toured MUN Science and several of its departments. We began our tour in the Earth Sciences building, where the Earth Sciences group showed us demonstrations and various equipment used for fieldwork. We learned about the importance of Earth scientists in understanding and protecting our world.

Next, we went to a lab to learn about biochemistry. We used pipettes and spectrophotometers to run tests on samples from a simulated patient. After the lab, we listened to presentations from graduate students about their research.

We then visited a biology lab, where we examined pond water and bacteria under microscopes. After that, we dissected frogs and rats.

Our next stop was the Physics department, where we measured the speed of light using CDs and lasers. We also observed current sunspots through a telescope.

The final stop of our tour was the Psychology department, where we learned about the field and were shown research equipment used to track eye movements, brain activity, gestures, and more.

July 24th – Paint Night

This Thursday, our group did a paint night with Chemistry. With the help of a Chemistry Professor, we used spectrophotometers to analyze the properties of light in the paint. We each made a painting and had a fun night!

July 29th – Port of Argentia & Vale Tour

The WISE SSEP group took a field trip to Argentia and Long Harbour this week. In the morning, we drove to the Port of Argentia and received a presentation about their current projects and the port’s various uses. Then, we visited a lookout point to view the port and learned about a special vessel that was docked in Argentia for the first time. This vessel is used to transport and install monopiles in the ocean for wind turbines.

We took a quick drive past the monopiles being stored on land and explored the port area before heading to Whitbourne for lunch.

After lunch, we drove to Long Harbour, where we were given a tour of Vale, a nickel processing plant. We received a presentation and a bus tour of their facilities. The plant uses hydrometallurgical technology to process metal mined in Voisey’s Bay.

July 31st – Karaoke Night

After much request, we planned an extra social event this week. We held a karaoke night with board games and snacks. The group gave some memorable performances and there were some intense games of uno. It was all around a fun night!

August 4th – Mining NL Day

Mining NL visited us today at MUN for an interactive classroom exercise on rocks, minerals, and the mineral resource industry. We tested various properties of unidentified rock samples to determine which minerals they contained. We also learned about mining in Newfoundland and Labrador and gained insight into the local mining industry. After that, we visited Conception Bay South (CBS) to tour the Trinity Resources pyrophyllite mine. We were shown the quarry and enjoyed a view of CBS from the mine site. We also toured the labs and processing facility, where the pyrophyllite is tested and prepared for sale.

August 5th – Cenovus Day

Today, the 2025 SSEP participants visited Cenovus’ downtown office. We met a variety of women who work with Cenovus, including engineers, co-op students, accountants, HR professionals, and more. We received presentations on what Cenovus does and the projects they are currently working on, the main one being the West White Rose Project. We visited the drill simulator room, where people train to operate the drills used on oil rigs. We also took a virtual tour of the West White Rose oil rig and a large offshore vessel.

August 7th – Networking and Dessert Night

Our social event this week was a speed networking night with desserts. Seventeen STEM professionals attended the event to talk with the students and answer their questions. Among them were geologists, psychologists, engineers, marine biologists, nurses, and more. We enjoyed tea, coffee, and platters of desserts while chatting. It was an extremely helpful night for all participants to explore different careers and talk to people working in the fields they’re interested in.

August 12th – Petty Harbour Mini Aquarium & Marine Institute

Our last tour of the 2025 SSEP was to Petty Harbour and the Marine Institute. We took the bus to the Mini Aquarium in the morning. There, we got to see all sorts of sea animals and even hold some at the touch tank. After that, we watched a squid dissection and wrote our names using the squid’s pen and ink. To finish up our time in Petty Harbour, we walked to Tinkers to get some ice cream.

We then took the bus to the Marine Institute, where we had lunch at the cafeteria before our tour. We were shown an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) that some MUN students had been working on and we even got to drive it! After that, we visited the ROV simulation room, where we had a hands-on experience controlling different types of ROVs underwater. To finish the tour, we checked out the Marine Institute library and took part in an APA competition against each other for a prize.

August 14th – The Rec Room

Our final social event was at the Rec Room. WISE provided us with wristbands, and we spent the night playing games at the arcade. It was a fun way to wrap up the 2025 SSEP with the friends we made throughout the program.

August 18th – Final Presentation Day

The last day of the 2025 WISE SSEP was final presentation day. Everyone did an incredible job with their presentations. This was an amazing summer full of fun and lots of memories were made. Congratulations to all of the participants and a big thank you to the program coordinator Melissa Keats!