This exciting and informative course is designed to prepare Grade 8 students who are interested in applying to the International Baccalaureate program in secondary school. Over the span of four two-hour sessions, students will focus on reviewing and further developing their French language skills with an emphasis on expanding and enriching their vocabulary and syntax, as well as honing their understanding of French grammar. Students will gain the knowledge needed to excel on the IB test, and they will have the opportunity to practice their French skills in a variety of contexts.
NEW SUMMER COURSES! We are offering FOUR new courses this summer at Brain Power (in addition to French IB Preparation)!
Check them out!
Critical Thinking and Writing Development through the Visual Arts
1x per week (Wednesdays) – Grades 6-8 and 9+
This exciting addition to Brain Power’s summer course lineup develops students’ written skills, critical thinking, and literacy by means of analyzing the role of visual art in societies, past and present. Students will think critically about a wide range of classic and modern visual art in an effort to understand its cultural, formal and historical importance. Designed for junior-high or high-school students, this advanced course will refine a variety of skills essential for academic success, such as analytical skills, as well as oral and written communication skills.
Math Level 0.5 (Level 1 Preparation)
1x per week (Wednesdays) for July only – Grades 4-6
This summer course is the perfect opportunity to either reinforce and extend the learning in Brain Power’s Foundations Math course to be better prepared for Level 1, or for new students – who plan on starting Level 1 in the fall – to maximize their skills in and knowledge of topics including, but not limited to the four operations (+ - × and ÷) with large integers and decimals, the order of operations (BEDMAS), a variety of problem solving strategies, solving mathematical word problems with multiple steps, and tackling logic problems and reading comprehension.
Math Level 1.5 (Level 2 Preparation)
2x per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for July only – Grades 5-7
This summer course is the perfect opportunity to either reinforce and extend the learning in Brain Power’s Level 1 Math course to be better prepared for Level 2, or for new students – who plan on starting Level 2 in the fall – to maximize their skills in and knowledge of topics including, but not limited to the four operations (+ - × and ÷) with decimals, the order of operations (BEDMAS), fractions and operations with fractions, percentage, learning a variety of problem solving strategies, solving mathematical word problems with multiple steps, tackling challenging logic problems and reading comprehension.
Math Olympiad Preparation
1x per week (Wednesdays) – Grades 5-7
Are you curious? Do you love solving math puzzles? Do you enjoy learning interesting real-life math facts and applications? Do you want to become famous in your school/province/country by winning math Olympiads and competitions? If so, Brain Power’s Math Olympiad Course is the place to train your brain! In this exciting and challenging class, students will engage with many fascinating and fun math, logic, and problem solving activities. In the process they will learn about many important mathematical principles and concepts...and, of course, they will gain new problem-solving skills they can use in both mathematical contests and in real life.
Each week-long (Mon. – Fri) Brain Power summertime robotics, coding, & aerospace program consists of TWO exciting LOGICS workshops that run from 9 AM to 4 PM (with supervised lunch from 12 – 1 PM)! See the schedule below for times, and then check out the list of workshop descriptions for more information!
Christopher Harris, B.Sc. (Honours), M.Sc., Ph.D. (Pharmacology & Toxicology)
Christopher is a dedicated educator and believes in the importance of early youth immersion in both science and art. He has facilitated and organized creative storytelling workshops for under-resourced schools throughout the Greater Toronto Area. He is also involved in delivering a unique science and art program to youth in Toronto.
Christopher believes STEM education is improved through the elements of art and storytelling and will improve science understanding and communication. He loves learning and practicing math, science, and art and his infectious energy permeates everything he does.
Associate Instructor
Alex Maizlish, B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. Mathematics, Ph.D. in Mathematics
Alex joined the math Olympiad movement at an early age. He has won several prizes at the national mathematical Olympiads in Ukraine, participated as a jury member in the International Mathematics Tournament of Towns, and, in Canada, coached high-school and undergraduate students for various math contests such as the Canadian Mathematical Olympiad, NCS/MAA, Putnam competition, and others.
Alex has also taught over 20 undergraduate-level university courses during his doctoral studies. He has also taught many bright young students math and problem solving. In the classroom, he offers students multiple angles to understand new concepts, supports and uses an interdisciplinary approach to education, and enjoys providing a challenging and interesting class environment.
Associate Instructor
Nelly Jebran, Honours B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (cand.) Political Science (Bioethics and Cognition)
Nelly completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees at York University (Toronto, ON). She is currently completing her doctoral studies in Political Science, with a focus on bioethics, critical disability studies, and philosophy. Specifically, her work examines the treatment of patients with cognitive disabilities in Canadian healthcare settings, with an ethical approach inspired by the work of French philosopher, Emmanuel Levinas. Her writing seeks to disrupt the traditional academic voice with a personal, embodied perspective. Nelly is published in the journal Health Tomorrow and has contributed to the Centre for Imaginative Ethnography’s Literary Experiments series.
Nelly has worked as a freelancer in academic and corporate editing and writing. With over five years of university level teaching experience, Nelly is committed to helping students develop strong writing, reading, and critical thinking skills, while always encouraging them to nurture a sense of social responsibility and compassion.
Associate Instructor
Moshe Lakser, Honours B.A. (History & East Asian Studies), M.A., Ph.D. (History – Modern Japan)
Moshe earned his undergraduate degree in History and East Asian Studies from York University (Toronto, ON). He then went on to complete his graduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in modern Japanese history.
Moshe is an experienced educator. He has taught specialized courses in critical thinking, applied communications, and academic writing at the high school and university levels, as well as courses in Japanese history both at UCLA and at York University. For Moshe, exposure to the liberal arts and humanities has been a transformative experience, often challenging his core assumptions and inspiring him to explore new perspectives and ideas. He endeavours to impart the same love of learning to his students through lively discussions that emphasize the practical relevance of intellectual inquiry. With a focus on communication – encouraging excellence in writing and reading – Moshe is a passionate educator who believes both in challenging students with new ideas and difficult concepts, as well as making this exposure a fulfilling and enjoyable enterprise.
Associate Instructor
Maria Gorelik, Honours B.A. (French Studies), B.Ed.
Maria Gorelik is both a French Immersion teacher in YRDSB and a passionate polyglot. She completed her Honours Bachelor of French Studies and Bachelor of Education at Glendon, York University, specializing in teaching intermediate and senior grades. Maria speaks Russian, English, French, and Spanish and loves learning, teaching (with zest!), and analyzing grammar and literature in all four languages. She has extensive experience in formal education and has taught theatre, journalism, and media in summer camps and in various conferences. Aside from teaching and languages, her hobbies include volunteering with animals, cinema, hiking, and cooking.
Karine Rashkovsky-Tomas
Nominated for 2017 RBC Women of Influence Award
Dr. Karine Rashkovsky-Tomas has been nominated for the 25th anniversary of the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award!
On Sunday, April 23rd, Brain Power held a formal awards ceremony to celebrate the winners of our 2017 Math Olympiad!
Winners received trophies and prizes, and we all had a fun evening of math puns and refreshments at Brain Power!
(For a full list of winners, see our March Newsletter. To see the problems and solutions to Brain Power's 2017 Math Olympiad, please visit our website at: http://www.brainpower.ca/contests/ )
Caroline Cui Wins 2nd Place at Speakers Idol 2017!
Congratulations to our public speaking student, Caroline Cui, for making it to the finals of the prestigious 2017 Speakers Idol (provincial) competition!
She competed in the finals at the Toronto Centre for the Arts on the 29th of March.
Three other Brain Power students made it to the semi-finals: Alexandra Garber, Lev Raizman, and Alicia Kogan.
We are proud of all the Brain Power students who participated this year!
Tianshi Yan
Wins the SHAD Valley 2017 Competition!
Tianshi Yuan (current Brain Power student) - credits his prestigious SHAD success to Brain Power! We're proud of you, Tianshi!
SHAD students are chosen from around the world through a rigorous, competitive process; selected students are top performers who are also well-rounded emerging leaders demonstrating initiative, creativity, and flair. SHAD empowers exceptional high-school students – at a pivotal point in their education – to recognize their own capabilities and envision their extraordinary potential as tomorrow’s leaders and change makers (in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math).
Special Guest ROMAN BABER
Visits Our Public Speaking Class!
On April 5th, lawyer and politician (nominated for PC party in York Centre) Roman Baber came in as a guest speaker to visit our Public Speaking students. His fascinating session was on Public Speaking and Persuasion in Politics and the Law (and included an exciting case study utilizing the Charter of Rights & Freedoms).
An Evening with IRA GLASS! Join Brain Power for an enlightening evening with famous NPR broadcaster Ira Glass at Massey Hall!*
The creator of the public radio show This American Life talks about his program and how it's put together: what makes a compelling story, where they find the amazing stories for the show, how he and his staff are trying to push broadcast journalism to do things it doesn't usually do.
Ira Glass began his career in radio aged just 19 years as an intern for the NPR. This American Life came on air in 1995, and has run ever since with Glass at the helm as the show's host and executive producer.
* Students who intend to travel to the show with Karine (and other staff supervisors), please notify the office of your intent and meet at Finch Station at 6:30 pm on Saturday evening. Supervision will also be provided en route back to Finch Station after the show.
Alumni of the Month: Lynn Sue-A-Quan
Lynn is a very talented violinist who was accepted to Juilliard in New York and the New England Conservatory in Boston (with scholarships from both schools). She plans to join an orchestra, teach music, and perform throughout the world!
Thoughts on Brain Power:
Every week, I would look forward to Brain Power, wondering what sort of new thing I would be blown away by. I loved how I was in an environment where learning was a priority. It made me feel welcome, and, for once, made me want to learn more! Brain Power really shaped me into who I am today and I'm really grateful for all the mind-blowing, awesome lessons!
Summer 2017 and Fall/Winter 2017-18
Registrations Now Open!
Register Now - Spaces Are Limited!
