2026-2027 LEAF Program Student Application Survey

IISD-Experimental Lakes Area: Learning at the ELA About Freshwater (LEAF) Program 2026-2027

The IISD-ELA LEAF Program is an educational experience designed for students entering grades 11 and 12, that seek to foster science and ecological literacy. Over the course of the 2026-2027 school year, students will work side-by-side with world class scientists in an immersive environment conducting lake research.

Students will be guided by ELA education staff and world-renowned scientists and technicians from IISD-ELA. Students will meet once a month in person, and will be provided with transportation from a designated location in Kenora, as well as food and snacks throughout the day. The majority of the course will be day trips on Fridays, with some multiday overnight stays at the IISD-ELA research facility, including an opportunity for a winter camping experience as well as indoor accommodations.

Each student will take responsibility for their own learning and must demonstrate personal integrity, independent leadership, and environmental stewardship at all times. There is zero tolerance for any behavior that is not considered respectful and will lead to immediate termination from the program.

Interested students should tell us about themselves in an honest account, indicating their interest and commitment to the LEAF program, should they be selected. Selected students will have their listed teacher contacted.

Your responses to this application will be kept confidential.

IISD-Experimental Lakes Area is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The deadline to submit applications is June 14th, 2026.

For more information, contact education@iisd-ela.org or see our brochure.

1.Students Contact info(Required.)

Name (First and Last)

Grade as of September 2025

Address

Address 2

City/Town

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number

2.Student pronouns

3.Parent/Guardians name, email, phone number(Required.)

Name

Email Address

Phone Number

4.School name(Required.)

5.Teacher who can be your reference name(Required.)

6.Teacher who can be your reference email or contact info(Required.)

7.Second adult reference name

8.Second adult reference email or contact info

9.Describe why you wish to be a participant in the LEAF program(Required.)

10.What work or studies have you done in science, ecology, and/or sustainability? What projects, co-curricular activities, or volunteer work have you done that might prepare you for this experience? What books have you read that have honed your interest in science, ecology, and/or sustainability?(Required.)

11.Describe an activity you have experienced that was related to nature and important to you. The activity could have been part of a high school course, a summer time or holiday experience, and either self-directed or a group activity. Describe who was involved, what was done ,when it happened, where it happened, what the purpose was, and how you did it.(Required.)

12.Consider the activity you described in the previous question. Explain why this activity was important to you. What did this activity cause you think or learn about? What did it mean to you while you were doing it? What meaning does it have for you now, as you look back on it?(Required.)

13.Some people believe that: "To get the most from an activity, you must invest all of your energy into that activity", or that, "What you get in return equals what you invested". Others believe that simply, "Being open and ready will result in the best learning and living". What do you think about any of these ideas? (Note: there is no correct answer, we are simply interested in you ideas.)(Required.)

14.Please provide an example of physical activity that you participated in that would contribute to helping you succeed in the field components of this experience. (Ex. canoeing, hiking, etc.)(Required.)

15.How do you hope to share your new knowledge and skills after the LEAF program? Consider your school community.(Required.)

16.This program has zero tolerance for aggressive/disrespectful behavior of any kind. This program is a privilege and should be treated as such. If an issue arises during the LEAF program, for example, you disagree with how a fellow student is not using the lab equipment properly when analyzing a water sample, how would you handle the situation?(Required.)

17.Students selected will be absent from class once a month throughout the school year. Do you think this will be manageable? How will you make up the missed class material?(Required.)