To graduate from the academy, students are required to give a short paper on their research project to peers and other researchers, and write a report. Students live together in a relaxed, but well supervised camp atmosphere. The Academy has operated for over thirteen years and typically has about 70 students attending, between the ages of 13 to 18 years, with 35 university tutors. The program is remarkably successful with high quality research being done and students leaving enthused that the research experience has helped them in choosing a career direction and in choosing the correct courses in their later university education. The university student tutors also benefit from the research and tutoring experience, as well as from the summer salary.
Financial assistance is available.
Students should fill out the application forms available at the DRSA website. It is a science theme camp run by Robin Digby, near Drumheller, Alberta. Rustic camping in teepees, good camper to councillor ratios, councillors are university students studying ecology, palaeontology, etc. Surroundings are badlands and coulees. The Queen's University Enrichment Mini-Course Program provides gifted and highly motivated secondary school students with the opportunity to study a subject of their choosing at an advanced level for one week.