Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that quantum computing and artificial intelligence are the fastest developing and emerging technologies that are going to revolutionize our world. Make sure you don’t fall behind. In this camp, you will explore quantum mechanics, build an AI model and learn the basics of one of the most widely used computer languages in the world, Python. This is a hands-on camp with lots of activities.
When and Where?
Monday July 14 - Friday July 18, 2025.
9:00am-12:00noon.
Location: The Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology (VISST): 1490 West Broadway, Vancouver.
Who?
This camp is for students going into grades 7-9.
Why should you attend?
Explore topics that will shape all aspects of our future society and that everyone should learn about.
Try something you won’t learn in school: Learn about algorithms and build your own AI model using the concepts you learn.
Learn from an experienced educator with a passion for diversifying STEM fields.
Earn a certificate of completion from the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology.
What will you learn?
Python: An Introduction to using Python in Google Colab. Students will explore how to write functions, import packages, and create graphs. They will also learn to read comments and add onto other's work in a consistent style.
Quantum Computing: Students will explore the quantum mechanics principles that we utilize to built quantum computers. Students will build hands-on models of qubits, work with quantum gates, and examine the overlap of quantum computing and AI.
Artificial Intelligence: An introduction to supervised learning models. Students will work with a partially built AI model, and work to complete each step of the learning process. This will include creating a learning environment, loading data, choosing a learning model, and making predictions for the outputs. Once completed, the students will train their AI to classify different types of Irises based on a real-world data set. They will also learn about the ethics and biases that can affect training AI models.
Week-long project: Using principles and inspiration from quantum computing, students will have a week to create an AI algorithm of their choosing.
Program Requirements
Students must bring their own laptops.
Camp Instructor
Ella Meyer
Ella is the Quantum Computing Outreach Coordinator at UBC Geering Up and the Project Manager for the Diversifying Talent in Quantum Computing initiative. She graduated with a B.Sc. in Astronomy from the University of British Columbia in 2020, with a research focus on the Cosmic Microwave Background and radio wave detection. Ella has been working in science education and communication for the last four years in partnership with industry and academics worldwide including Microsoft, D Wave Systems, the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, and the Quantum Algorithms Institute. In her spare time, Ella spends her time long-distance running, hiking, bouldering, and getting tattooed.
Make it a Full-Day camp
If you want to make this a full day camp experience for your student, you can register for this camp AND our Pi-Oneers Math Contest Prep camp from 1:00-4:00pm (July 14-18; 1-4pm) concurrently and save $40. Students who take both camps can stay at VISST from 12:00-1:00pm for a supervised lunch. Please bring your own lunch (no nuts or seafood).
Fees and Registration
If the fee is a barrier to your participation, a limited number of bursaries are available for eligible families - please email camps@visst.ca to inquire.
Refund policy: Email us at least 1 weeks (7 days) prior to the start of the camp for a full refund.
Cancellation policy: VISST reserves the right to cancel camps and refund camp fees due to low enrolment. In this event, we will provide as much advance notice as possible.