Registration for Mini Med School is now closed. The program and waitlist are both full, so we’re not able to take any more names at this time.

If you’re still interested in exploring the latest discoveries and innovations in health research, check out our Self-Directed program for other opportunities!


Engage with researchers and clinicians in-person at BC Children's Hospital.

What is a Mini Med School In-Person participant? 

As a Mini Med School In-Person participant, you would:

  • Attend ALL the following lectures during the assigned times at BC Children's Hospital (938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC | Directions):
    • Session #1: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Session #2: Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Session #3: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
    • Session #4: Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 6:30 – 8:00 pm
       
  • Have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the presenters 
  • Receive a weekly newsletter to keep you informed on program updates
  • Receive an electronic certificate of program completion if you participate in all 4 sessions
  • Be eligible to apply for the Mini Med School Scholarship (grade 12 students only)
Who is eligible to participate?

To register as a Mini Med School In-Person participant, you must be a grade 11 or 12 student who is currently enrolled in a BC or Yukon secondary school. Participants will also need to have a Sponsor Teacher to support their application (detailed below).

Is participating right for you?

Some students may find the Mini Med School learning format challenging. We encourage you to consider your own preferred learning style and comfort level before deciding to register. 

  • Curriculum: The Mini Med School course curriculum has been designed for a senior high school audience. Similar to a post-secondary seminar, Mini Med School is lecture-based with content building on previously introduced ideas. With only 4 evenings to explore new scientific concepts, participants should expect a fast-paced learning environment. Additionally, you may be asked to view or interact with a variety of samples and specimens found in a hospital or clinical laboratory environment. Please consider if you would be comfortable with this.
     
  • Schedule: Does your schedule allow you to be available on Wednesday, October 22, 29 & November 5, 12 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm? 
     
  • Transportation: Do you have access to safe and reliable transportation to get to BC Children's Hospital Research Institute (938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver BC | Directions)?
     
  • Engagement: This is being planned as an in-person event. Participants will be asked to network and interact with up to 150 students from various schools across the Lower Mainland, as well as our Mini Med School Faculty. Are you comfortable with participating in an organized gathering indoors? 
What is a Sponsor Teacher? 

Before applying you will need to find a Sponsor Teacher. They are not required to write a letter of recommendation or personally attend the event. Your Sponsor Teacher may sponsor more than one student applying to Mini Med School.

Who should your Sponsor Teacher be? Your Sponsor Teacher should be someone who: 

  • Knows you well — ideally a teacher who understands your personality, work ethic, and learning style. If needed, they should be able to confirm that you’re a good fit for this kind of extracurricular learning opportunity.
  • Is a teacher with experience teaching a science, technology, engineering or mathematics course, or is a career counsellor.
  • Is a current or former teacher — your Sponsor Teacher doesn’t have to be someone who is teaching you this year. If you had a strong connection with a teacher from a previous grade, you can ask them instead.

What does the Sponsor Teacher need to do?
Your Sponsor Teacher will NOT be required to write a letter of recommendation or attend the event. However, they should be aware that:

  • We may contact them if we have any questions or concerns about your application. For example, if something in your form needs clarification, they might be asked to verify details.
  • If you are accepted into the program but we have concerns about your participation or attendance, we may also contact them. This is just to ensure that you are well supported.
  • This is not a personal reference, and the teacher is not responsible for your performance in the program — they’re simply a trusted adult in your school who can help verify your academic performance if needed.

For the application, what information do we need about the Sponsor Teacher?

  • Name
  • Email Address

Should I ask the Sponsor Teacher before listing their name on my application?
Yes! Please make sure to speak with the teacher before listing their name on your application. Let them know about the Mini Med School program and that they may be contacted by email only if we need to verify or clarify any information in your application.

They won’t need to complete any forms or attend the program — it’s just important that they are aware and have agreed to be listed as your sponsor.

How will you apply? 

The registration form for Mini Med School 2025 will be available here between Monday, September 15 (9:00am) to Friday, September 26, 2025 (11:59pm). 

The application form should be completed by the student participant directly and will ask for the following:

  • Your name, email address, grade and school name
  • Sponsor Teacher name and their email address (detailed above)
  • Participant Agreement Form (detailed below)
  • How you would like to participate: In-Person, Virtually Live OR On-Demand. You may only select ONE method of participation
  • Answers to the following questions:  
    • Why are you interested in attending Mini Med School? What do you hope to gain from participating? (150 words or less)
    • What are your current academic or career goals? What has influenced you to pursue these goals? (150 words or less)
    • Describe how you have positively impacted your school or local community. This could include leadership experiences, school programs/classes, volunteering, extra-curricular programs, etc. (150 words or less)
What is the Participant Agreement Form?

To ensure the safety and security of all participants and the BC Children’s Hospital community, a copy of the Participant Agreement form is required at the time of registration.

Click here to download the Participant Agreement form

The Participant Agreement form can be signed electronically or you can print it, sign it and scan/take a picture of the form. You will be asked to upload the form during your registration submission. 

The Participant Agreement form must also be signed by a parent or guardian. 

Participants who do not submit the agreement form will not be permitted to attend Mini Med School if selected. 

How do we select who participates?  

Mini Med School is a popular program with limited space. To keep up with demand, the Mini Med School application process is now competitive and comparative. We’re looking for motivated and inquisitive students who show a demonstrated interest in being part of this unique program. 

Application assessments will not be based on academic achievement. Applications will be assessed based on your responses to the questions answered on the application form. Your answers will help us assess whether you’re the ideal candidate for the Mini Med School program.  

Mini Med School strives to empower youth and promote an equitable and inclusive learning environment. To ensure fairness in registration, the assessment process will take into account both the total number of schools represented and the number of students registered from each school. Further space will also be available for students who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis. Students will be asked to self-identify as Indigenous on the registration form. 

Selected participants will be contacted by the Mini Med School team to confirm their attendance by early October. 

Students who are not selected will be added to a waitlist and contacted if additional space becomes available. 

Registration Form

Registration for Mini Med School is now closed. The program and waitlist are both full, so we’re not able to take any more names at this time. 

Past lecture recordings are available in our Video Library Interested students can also watch past series and participate in our self-directed Mini Med School Online program.

Teachers interested in receiving notifications about upcoming events and important registration deadlines are encouraged to join our mailing list. Information is only distributed to mailing list subscribers.

Do you have more questions? Check out our Mini Med School FAQ or contact researchevents@phsa.ca. 
 

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