The Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University is one of the leading research centres in North America. In 2004, McMaster was ranked Most Innovative University in Canada by Maclean's magazine and named Research University of the Year by Research Infosource Inc. The research activities conducted at the Faculty of Engineering's world-class research centres and institutes have contributed to the University's success.

At most universities, research is done almost exclusively by professors and their Masters or Doctoral students. At McMaster, however, we strongly believe that all students can contribute to and benefit from participation in the discovery process. Over the past decade, we have introduced numerous programs that enable our undergraduate students to actively participate in our research activities. The results have been extremely rewarding for both the students and the University.

In 2005, McMaster Engineering launched L.E.A.P. -- the Learning Enrichment Advancement Program, as a natural extension of these efforts. The program is designed specifically for top high school students.

In 2007, L.E.A.P. introduced its Headstart program, giving graduating high school students entering McMaster's first year engineering program the chance to earn an advanced University credit in Professional Engineering, 1P03.

In 2008 Headstart program enrollment tripled with the addition of another course credit offered in Engineering Design 1C03, running concurrently with 1P03. Overall L.E.A.P. attendance continues to grow, tripling in size since 2006.

2009 brought about many changes for L.E.A.P. Instead of the usual four-week duration, the camp extended to six weeks (three 2-week sessions). Headstart ran in parallel with L.E.A.P. and consisted of two 3-week sessions. This gave Headstart students more time to concentrate on their coursework. Also, L.E.A.P. students had the opportunity of enrolling in up to three different streams. The number of registrations again increased considerably, and we expect just as many more students in 2010!

If you are a high school student with a high academic ranking, we invite you to join our state-of-the-art research laboratories. Here, you will work on leading-edge projects with professors, graduate students and undergraduates.

L.E.A.P. challenges high school students to excel and to develop their passion for innovation and discovery.