Join us at Mini Med School 2026 – Inside the Human Body, as we take a journey through the body, exploring how it works from the inside out. Through engaging discussions and real-world connections, you will gain a deeper understanding of the science behind how our bodies operate and the many ways this knowledge is used in health and medicine.
Program poster
What can you expect at Mini Med School?
- Hear from leading BC Children’s Hospital researchers, scientists, and health professionals
- Learn about careers in medicine, science, and health research
- Meet other high school students interested in STEM and health sciences
- Earn a certificate of participation and be eligible to apply for a Mini Med School Scholarship
Mini Med School is designed as a lecture-based learning experience (similar to a university classroom). Sessions focus on listening to presentations and learning from speakers, rather than participating in hands-on activities or workshops. Each session is 90 minutes long and includes presentations followed by a Q&A period.
Speakers & Schedule
Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
The Kidneys — The Body’s Filter & Fluid Balancers
Your kidneys do much more than make urine, they help control your blood pressure, balance water and salts, and keep your body’s internal environment in check. But what happens when the kidneys stop working? Follow the journey of a pediatric patient who needs a kidney transplant and explore the research behind organ transplantation.
Presented by:
- Speaker #1 – TBA
- Speaker #2 – TBA
Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
The Brain — Neurons, Trauma & Rebuilding the Mind
What happens to your brain when you get a concussion? Discover the mechanisms behind a brain injury, including what happens to neurons after a sudden impact and why symptoms can last long after the injury occurs.
Presented by:
- Speaker #1 – TBA
- Speaker #2 – TBA
Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
The Lungs — Asthma & the Air We Breathe
For most of us, breathing is something we never have to think about, until it becomes difficult. Learn what happens during an asthma attack, and explore what treatments are being developed to help kids breathe easier.
Presented by:
- Speaker #1 – TBA
- Speaker #2 – TBA
Thursday, November 26, 2026 | 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
The Heart — The Engine of Life
Your heart beats around 100,000 times every day, but how does it keep blood moving through your body? Uncover the anatomy and function of the heart, from its chambers and valves to the electrical signals that control each heartbeat. Discover how the heart can be affected by disease and injury, and how researchers and healthcare professionals are working to diagnose, treat, and repair the heart.
Presented by:
- Speaker #1 – TBA
- Speaker #2 – TBA
Where is it?
Attend in-person at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, BC) OR online from anywhere in BC or Yukon. Learn more about the differences in attending in-person or online.
Who can attend?
Grade 12 students in BC & Yukon.
Starting in Fall 2026, Mini Med School will be open to Grade 12 students only. This change helps us manage program capacity and focus on providing a meaningful, high-quality experience for our participants. It also allows us to better support students at an important time as they prepare for what comes after high school.
Please note: If you are currently in Grade 11, you are not eligible for Mini Med School, even if you are taking Grade 12 level courses. Your eligibility is based on the grade you are officially enrolled in, not the level of courses you are taking.
Are you a grade 8-11 student or a grade 12 student that needs more flexibility? Mini Med School Self-Directed lets you watch session recordings at your own pace and earn a certificate of participation.
How do you apply?
Applications will be accepted Monday, September 28 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 11:59 pm. The application form will be posted on this page once applications open.
What information do you need to apply?
- Your name, email address, phone number, grade and school name
- Parent or guardian name, email address and phone number
- Sponsor Teacher name and their email address
- How you would like to participate: In-Person or Online. You cannot apply for both.
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Participant Agreement Form signed by a parent or guardian
For attending at BC Children’s Hospital (In-Person) OR For attending online - Answers to the following questions (150 words or less):
- #1: Why are you interested in attending Mini Med School? What do you hope to gain from participating?
- #2: What are your current academic or career goals? What has influenced you to pursue these goals?
- #3: Describe how you have positively impacted your school or local community. This could include leadership experiences, school programs/classes, volunteering, extra-curricular programs, etc.
What are my chances of being selected?
After the application deadline, eligible students will be selected through a random draw. Being selected is not based on academic achievements, grades, or any other measure of merit. The selection process is entirely random. Not being selected is in no way a reflection of your accomplishments or qualifications.
Your chances of being selected will depend on the number of applications received and the number of available spaces. Mini Med School is a popular program, and spaces are limited. In 2025:
- 700 students applied to attend in-person and 150 were selected.
- 384 students applied to attend online and 150 were selected.
To support equitable representation and create a diverse learning environment, we will make every effort to prioritize:
- Students who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
- Students from different schools to create a diverse and dynamic group experience.
We value students who take the application process seriously and put genuine effort into their responses. Any application that shows minimal engagement, appears careless, or lacks thoughtful consideration will result in automatic disqualification and not be entered into the random draw.
Mini Med School Scholarship
Enrolled students who attend all sessions are eligible to apply for a Mini Med School Scholarship. Funded by BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the scholarship includes:
- A $1,000 CAD scholarship toward tuition at any post-secondary institution
- An optional one-week summer career placement at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
Click here for more information.
Questions?
Contact us at researchevents@phsa.ca or review our FAQs.
