University Transition Program
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 | This article possibly contains original research. (March 2009) |
| University Transition Program | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
1924 West Mall , | |
| Information | |
| School type | Early college entrance program |
| School board | School District 39 Vancouver |
| Grades | 11-12 |
| Language | English |
| Area | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Website | universitytransition.ubc.ca |
The University Transition Program, often called the Transition Program, is an early college entrance program funded by the Vancouver School Board, the University of British Columbia and the Ministry of Education that is based in the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Each year, the program accepts only 20 new students, between the ages 13 to 15, out of about 200 applicants, so rigorous testing must be performed to select and accept candidates. Over the course of two years, students aim to complete the required high school curriculum, along with some university level coursework. When they graduate from the program, the students usually are accepted into UBC earlier than they would if they graduated from a regular high school (aged 15–17 instead of 17-18). The program was first established in 1993 by the Vancouver School Board, British Columbia Ministry of Education and the University of British Columbia. Students of the program have access to most UBC facilities and possess UBC undergraduate student cards.[citation needed]
The program website: The University Transition Program#References
Courses
In the first year of the program, alternatively known as Year One, students take Biology 12, English 10 & 11, Math 10, 11 and optionally 12; Physics 11, Chemistry 11, Humanities, Recreation (as a substitute for Physical Education 10), Self and Society (as a substitute for Personal Planning 11) and Civics 11. Main academic courses are the grade 11 courses (and Biology 12) and knowledge from lower grades are added in lessons as needed.
In Year Two, the students take AP Calculus AB, Chemistry 12, History 12, English 12, Literature 12, Math 12, Physics 12, and Civics 11. Civics is initiated in Year I, the lessons integrated with Self and Society, both of which are taught by Daria, and the Civics 11 provincial is taken in January of Year II.
Transition students currently have two courses taught by UBC professors, which are English, and Calculus/Math by Dr. Judy Brown, and Dr. Michael Ward, respectively. Previously Dr. Chris Waltham taught Physics to Transition but after the 2007-2008 school year, has since declined to continue teaching in Trans. Dr. Eric Nellis has also declined to continue teaching Civics in Transition. Civics is now taught by Daria Danylchuk, the program coordinator.
Students in both years are required to complete 30 hours of community service cumulative over both years, and complete an 'e-Portfolio' for his or her Individual Educational Planning.
Extracurricular Activities
The Transition Program has been and continues to be a competitor in Reach for the Top as well as a participant of Model United Nations. Transition students have participated in local science fairs, through which a few students have entered the nationals. Involvement with other extra-curricular activities is highly encouraged by teachers and staff, since they are not provided by Transition. The program has many student-led organized activities, such as band and choir arrangements, as well as small dance numbers choreographed by Jamie Zagoudakis and performed by students at an annual Transition Program tradition known as the Winter Social event. Many of the students currently enrolled in the program also compete at high levels in swimming.
The University Transition Program is also known for its outstanding performances at mathematics and physics competitions. They annually compete in nation-wide competitions such as Cayley, Fermat, and Euclid, and North America wide competitions such as the AMC and the Physics Bowl. They also participate in event-based contests, such as MathChallengers and the junior and senior Physics Olympics.
Location
The Transition Program is located in the heart of UBC, on 240D 1924 West Mall. The building that the Transition Program resides in is the Auditorium Annex, located on West Mall above the Math Graduates office, across from the Pacific Institute of Mathematical Sciences building and behind the Walter C. Koerner Library.
Work Load
The University Transitions Program student work load is much higher than most regular high schools. It compacts the five year high school curriculum into two years. The curriculum compacting is effectively achieved due to demonstrated high-level of learning ability and motivation of the students.
The program requires students to work hard and take responsibility for their learning outcomes while offering a supportive learning environment. The students are supported in their work load by the Transitions Program staff, counselor, parents and the students themselves to ensure a positive and productive learning environment.
Achievements
- The Transition Program is the winner of the 2008 Grades 8 and 9 MathChallengers, the 2009 Grade 9 MathChallengers, and the 2011 Grade 9 MathChallengers.
- Students have been invited to Seattle for the Northwest Intramurals Math Competition.
- Students from the Transition Program have held top placements in the Provincial MathChallengers competitions.
- The Transition Program has won awards at numerous Model United Nations Conferences.
- The Transition Program has won a Reach for the Top Junior Championship in 2003.
- The Transition Program is the winner of the 2009 Investja investment competition.
- Two students from the Transition Program won a provincial physics competition, B.C.'s Brightest Minds, in 2008 and in 2010(Allen Zhang and Yin Shu Yang)[1].
- Two students from the Transition Program won the 2010 B.C. Brightest Minds Competition at the Pacific National Exhibition.
- Students from the Transition Program have won many awards in the Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair competitions.
- Students from the Transition Program have been invited to the Canada-Wide Science Fair competitions as Finalists, and won awards, as well as embarrassing themselves about in public through mac's PDA
- Two students from the Transition Program came third place in the B.C.'s Brightest Minds Competition in 2011 (Jessica Qiu and YJ Shin)
Staff
Daria Danylchuk is the program coordinator who teaches Civics 11 and interviews applicants to the program
- David Coopersmith (known to the students and fellow staff as Coops) teaches Biology 12, Chemistry 11 & 12, History 12, and Recreation.
- Ludmila Shepelev (known to the students and fellow staff as Shep) teaches Mathematics 11 & 12 and Physics 11 & 12.
- Jamie Zagoudakis (known to the students and fellow staff as Zag) teaches English 11 & 12, Humanities (Social Studies) 11, and Literature 12.
Other
The only male Caucasian student at transitions longs to be an Asian Girl.
References
Websites: http://utp.drupalverf.webi.it.ubc.ca (You must be connected to UBC's wireless network or be using UBC's myVPN service).