March 25th, 2026

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) continues to create pathways for students to envision themselves in diverse fields of study and careers. Students from various equity-deserving groups had the opportunity to participate in Chem Lab Days at the University of Waterloo.

These experiences go beyond a simple campus tour. Students engaged directly with faculty and professionals who reflect their own identities and backgrounds, representation that matters. They asked questions, explored the campus, and even performed hands-on experiments in a real chemistry lab.

Leanne Racicot, Chemistry Instructor at the University of Waterloo highlighted the importance of these opportunities:

“I hope they see that chemistry can be fun and active. Diversity brings diverse ideas. If we want to innovate, not just at the university but in the industry, it is important to include persons of different backgrounds and experiences so we can innovate and build technologies that can improve our future.”

By fostering representation and access, Chem Lab Days are one example of the kinds of opportunities available to help WRDSB students see themselves as future innovators, researchers, and leaders in STEM.