Shell Canada funding gives students hands-on experience outside the classroom

The classroom is not the only place where learning happens. In fact, according to this year’s Shell Experiential Energy Learning (SEEL) Program participants, real-world, hands-on learning experiences are often the most impactful part of their university career.

“With support from the SEEL Program, our geology field school group was able to take a helicopter tour over an active volcano eruption in Hawaii,” says Matthew Busby, fourth-year geology student at the University of Calgary. “We saw first-hand the size and scale of the devastation and were able to make observations that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible due to evacuation measures in place on the ground.”

Sponsored by Shell since 2007, the SEEL Program emphasizes the importance of engaging students across the university in experiential learning opportunities focused on sustainable energy, environment, and economy.

“The SEEL Program is very much aligned with our interest in equipping the next generation with the skills to lead through the emerging energy transition,” says Andrea Brecka, general manager, retail at Shell Canada. “Shell is proud to sponsor this program and to work alongside the University of Calgary to provide students with experiential learning opportunities as we work to solve the energy problems of the future.”  

 

During this year’s annual luncheon on Nov. 27, faculty, staff and representatives from Shell heard from student recipients who benefited first-hand from the program. Funding was used for a range of activities including participating in field schools, studying abroad, attending conferences and participating in international competitions.

“The SEEL Program is helping us realize our goal of enhancing opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields of study,” says Dr. Florentine Strzelczyk, deputy provost at the University of Calgary.

“More than 3,000 of our undergraduate students have benefited from experiential learning opportunities made possible by SEEL funding. Shell’s commitment to the program demonstrates their dedication to our long-standing partnership and to cultivating the next generation of leaders and innovators.”

The next deadline for applications to the SEEL Program is Feb. 15, 2019. More information can be found on the provost’s SEEL Program website.