About Us
Youth are encouraged to:
QUESTION
the world around them
DISCOVER
their potential
CREATE
amazing future opportunities
Expandable List
MCYU aims to activate a dynamic community of educators and community partners, as well as youth and their families, to share in the discovery that comes through the understanding of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Our long-term goal is to encourage youth to become empowered and engaged citizens.
Our vision is to prepare our students to become innovative and responsible leaders of tomorrow. To support their growth, we inspire youth to question their world, discover their potential and work together to create better futures.
Our programs are targeted to youth 7-14 years old but we do not restrict our attendance. We believe youth and their families should learn together and welcome all family members to all our programs. All our programming is FREE.
- Provide original and relevant programming – a complement to grades 4-10 education – that empowers youth as confident and conscientious life-long learners
- Collaborate with partners in our students’ education, including schools and community organizations
- Connect youth with inspiring mentors and guides in multidisciplinary career exploration
- Create interactive, inquisitive and inclusive spaces where youth can explore their curiosities
It is important to us that our programs are accessible to ALL children and youth. We are currently working to deepen our relationships with schools and organizations in neighbourhoods where high school completion rates are disproportionately low. To help decrease barriers, we bring our MCYU in the City Workshops directly into these neighbourthoods and provide transportation to our on-campus programs.
Engaging in inquiry-based learning is an important step toward fostering a more fertile relationship between participants and knowledge not yet within their grasp. This model is well suited to inspire the curiosity and self-confidence that is essential to long-term educational engagement.
History
The McMaster Children & Youth University (MCYU) was launched in 2011 and is the FIRST Children’s University in Canada with programming for interactive, family-based discovery.
MCYU was founded in 2011 by Dr. Sandeep Raha and Dr. Katrin Scheinemann, professors in McMaster’s Department of Pediatrics, and is based on the children’s university model from Europe, which is now operating throughout the world.
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Founder & Staff
Information Box Group
Sandeep Raha
Creator & Director, MCYU
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Raha is the director of the McMaster Children and Youth University and an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. Following his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Toronto, he trained at the Hospital for Sick Children in the area of metabolic disorders and transitioned into the biotechnology sector leading a research group focused on developing point of care devices. Since 2007, Dr. Raha has been a principal investigator in the Department of Pediatrics, where his research has focused on understanding the role of the endocannabinoid system in pregnancy and fetal development.
In 2011, Dr. Raha cofounded the McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU), a community engagement initiative which strives to demonstrate that discovery and creativity can be powerful allies in breaking down the barriers between community youth and post-secondary educational institutions. Based on his mentorship expertise and novelty of the MCYU program, Dr. Raha has been awarded a number of awards, such as the Health Sciences Graduate Student award for outstanding graduate teaching in 2010, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Synapse Award in 2013 for his community engagement and mentorship, McMaster’s top teaching award in 2017, the Presidents award for Outstanding contributions to Teaching and Learning, as well as the Ronald G. Calhoun Science Ambassador Award in 2019, which recognizes community members who show leadership in promoting research.
Sandeep Raha
Creator & Director, MCYU
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SKILLS STUDENTS WILL GAIN THROUGH YOUR INSTRUCTION?
My instruction always prioritizes critical thinking and student engagement. This class is also unique as there are several other faculty providing their expertise on pedagogical design, community engagement and knowledge mobilization, so students will get the opportunity to learn about these important skills from a variety of instructors’ perspectives, including my own.
CAN YOU SHARE A CAREER HIGHLIGHT WITH US?
My career highlights have come from positive feedback when it comes to teaching. In particular, I am encouraged by students who have shared that my instruction has helped them think more critically about the world around them and/or ignited a passion in the subject matter.
FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I am an avid sports fan who grew up playing several different sports including competitive basketball (despite my short stature). I can still be found playing in hockey and basketball leagues around the city!
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
Emily Scherzinger
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a graduate of McMaster University’s PhD in English, where I studied nonsense literature, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
I am working with the McMaster Children & Youth University to research the connections between success, lifelong learning and confidence in youth.
A fun fact about me is that I have a blind dog named Atlas who loves to play fetch! We can be found in parks across Hamilton, kicking around his favourite special ball that makes sounds so that he can hear it.
Emily Scherzinger
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
Aaron Hubbell
Digital Media Specialist
I’m a graduate of the honour’s multimedia program at McMaster University and have been a member of the McMaster Children & Youth University team for over six years.
I enjoy creating quality content that helps to empower young people.
One fun fact about me is that I like to make beats and created the music that’s featured in some of our MCYU programming, such as our “What in the World?” episodes.
Aaron Hubbell
Digital Media Specialist
Sandeep Raha
Creator & Director, MCYU
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Raha is the director of the McMaster Children and Youth University and an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. Following his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Toronto, he trained at the Hospital for Sick Children in the area of metabolic disorders and transitioned into the biotechnology sector leading a research group focused on developing point of care devices. Since 2007, Dr. Raha has been a principal investigator in the Department of Pediatrics, where his research has focused on understanding the role of the endocannabinoid system in pregnancy and fetal development.
In 2011, Dr. Raha cofounded the McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU), a community engagement initiative which strives to demonstrate that discovery and creativity can be powerful allies in breaking down the barriers between community youth and post-secondary educational institutions. Based on his mentorship expertise and novelty of the MCYU program, Dr. Raha has been awarded a number of awards, such as the Health Sciences Graduate Student award for outstanding graduate teaching in 2010, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Synapse Award in 2013 for his community engagement and mentorship, McMaster’s top teaching award in 2017, the Presidents award for Outstanding contributions to Teaching and Learning, as well as the Ronald G. Calhoun Science Ambassador Award in 2019, which recognizes community members who show leadership in promoting research.
Sandeep Raha
Creator & Director, MCYU
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Dr. Raha is the director of the McMaster Children and Youth University and an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McMaster University. Following his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Toronto, he trained at the Hospital for Sick Children in the area of metabolic disorders and transitioned into the biotechnology sector leading a research group focused on developing point of care devices. Since 2007, Dr. Raha has been a principal investigator in the Department of Pediatrics, where his research has focused on understanding the role of the endocannabinoid system in pregnancy and fetal development.
In 2011, Dr. Raha cofounded the McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU), a community engagement initiative which strives to demonstrate that discovery and creativity can be powerful allies in breaking down the barriers between community youth and post-secondary educational institutions. Based on his mentorship expertise and novelty of the MCYU program, Dr. Raha has been awarded a number of awards, such as the Health Sciences Graduate Student award for outstanding graduate teaching in 2010, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Synapse Award in 2013 for his community engagement and mentorship, McMaster’s top teaching award in 2017, the Presidents award for Outstanding contributions to Teaching and Learning, as well as the Ronald G. Calhoun Science Ambassador Award in 2019, which recognizes community members who show leadership in promoting research.
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SKILLS STUDENTS WILL GAIN THROUGH YOUR INSTRUCTION?
My instruction always prioritizes critical thinking and student engagement. This class is also unique as there are several other faculty providing their expertise on pedagogical design, community engagement and knowledge mobilization, so students will get the opportunity to learn about these important skills from a variety of instructors’ perspectives, including my own.
CAN YOU SHARE A CAREER HIGHLIGHT WITH US?
My career highlights have come from positive feedback when it comes to teaching. In particular, I am encouraged by students who have shared that my instruction has helped them think more critically about the world around them and/or ignited a passion in the subject matter.
FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I am an avid sports fan who grew up playing several different sports including competitive basketball (despite my short stature). I can still be found playing in hockey and basketball leagues around the city!
Becca Collins-Nelsen
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
WHAT ARE THE MAIN SKILLS STUDENTS WILL GAIN THROUGH YOUR INSTRUCTION?
My instruction always prioritizes critical thinking and student engagement. This class is also unique as there are several other faculty providing their expertise on pedagogical design, community engagement and knowledge mobilization, so students will get the opportunity to learn about these important skills from a variety of instructors’ perspectives, including my own.
CAN YOU SHARE A CAREER HIGHLIGHT WITH US?
My career highlights have come from positive feedback when it comes to teaching. In particular, I am encouraged by students who have shared that my instruction has helped them think more critically about the world around them and/or ignited a passion in the subject matter.
FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF?
I am an avid sports fan who grew up playing several different sports including competitive basketball (despite my short stature). I can still be found playing in hockey and basketball leagues around the city!
Emily Scherzinger
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a graduate of McMaster University’s PhD in English, where I studied nonsense literature, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
I am working with the McMaster Children & Youth University to research the connections between success, lifelong learning and confidence in youth.
A fun fact about me is that I have a blind dog named Atlas who loves to play fetch! We can be found in parks across Hamilton, kicking around his favourite special ball that makes sounds so that he can hear it.
Emily Scherzinger
Instructor & Researcher
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a graduate of McMaster University’s PhD in English, where I studied nonsense literature, like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
I am working with the McMaster Children & Youth University to research the connections between success, lifelong learning and confidence in youth.
A fun fact about me is that I have a blind dog named Atlas who loves to play fetch! We can be found in parks across Hamilton, kicking around his favourite special ball that makes sounds so that he can hear it.
Aaron Hubbell
Digital Media Specialist
I’m a graduate of the honour’s multimedia program at McMaster University and have been a member of the McMaster Children & Youth University team for over six years.
I enjoy creating quality content that helps to empower young people.
One fun fact about me is that I like to make beats and created the music that’s featured in some of our MCYU programming, such as our “What in the World?” episodes.
Aaron Hubbell
Digital Media Specialist
I’m a graduate of the honour’s multimedia program at McMaster University and have been a member of the McMaster Children & Youth University team for over six years.
I enjoy creating quality content that helps to empower young people.
One fun fact about me is that I like to make beats and created the music that’s featured in some of our MCYU programming, such as our “What in the World?” episodes.