Geoffrey Canada Scholars Program
All Geoffrey Canada Scholars will:
- Take the half-credit course How the World Works (through a Scientist’s Eyes), with Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Michael Danahy and Laboratory Instructor in Chemistry Denny Tesfa
- Have access to a THRIVE Success Coach who supports your transition to college
- Receive $300 in start-up funds
- For students who have a summer work expectation included in their financial aid package, a $2,300 grant is provided to waive the summer work expectation
- Receive paid transportation to campus in the summer, plus room and board for the institute
- Receive a laptop computer on arrival, as part of the College’s Digital Excellence Commitment (DExC)
- Receive financial support for a family member or guest to visit campus for the beginning of new student orientation at then end of August 2025.
In addition to the Summer Institute, the Geoffrey Canada Scholars Program offers other benefits to carry you through your first two years at the College.
In your first year, you will receive:
- Continued access to a THRIVE Success Coach
- Enhanced pre-major academic advising
- $1,000 in total start-up funds: $500 in September and $500 in January
- Program and workshop opportunities (e.g., health professions advising trip, Study Away 101, student-led small group hangouts)
- Continued access to a THRIVE Success Coach
- Enhanced pre-major academic advising
- $1,000 in total keep-up funds: $500 in September and $500 in January
- GCS program celebration: a domestic or international trip during spring break
- New interview attire to assist with internship opportunities or other needs for securing a position beyond Bowdoin
You are responsible for taking full advantage of all that GCS offers! This includes rigorous engagement with How the World Works (through a Scientist’s Eyes), utilizing your support team, and attending programs and workshops that support your goals. You are also responsible for bringing your curiosity, your unique skills and interests, and your patience and grace (for yourself and others!).
What’s next?This program is for you if you agree that getting a head start both academically and socially will make a difference in your Bowdoin experience.
The process for admission into the program is simple. Go to the admissions portal and answer the question “Why do you think participating in the Geoffrey Canada Scholars program will be valuable for you?”
GCS Summer Institute Course
How the World Works (through a Scientist’s Eyes)
Instructors: Michael Danahy and Denny Tesfa
This course will cover (on a week-by-week basis) the fundamental processes that underpin our physical world. Such processes include the structure of matter (both on the macro and microscopic level), how energy gives rise to matter changing forms and making new matter, and how structure and energy come together to make life on Earth. The course will also explore science's role in human relationships, how a scientist looks at the world to solve problems, and how science has both improved and hindered human development.
The course will be held Monday through Thursday, with 2 to 2.5 hours of in-class lecture/work each day and 1 to 2 laboratory meetings per week (3 hours each meeting). (Lab work may entail field trips.) Preparation for class will be an additional 8 hours each week.
Learning objectives:
- Learn how to read scientific literature and make conclusions
- Hone quantitative skills in order to make scientific conclusions
- Gain experience in presenting scientific ideas to a nonexpert audience
- Engage in real-world experiments to reinforce theoretical concepts and cultivate practical skills
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on experiments
Meet the Instructors
In 2012 Mike Danahy was awarded the Karofsky Teaching Prize. It is among the College’s most prestigious honors and is awarded annually, on the basis of student evaluations, to “an outstanding Bowdoin teacher who best demonstrates the ability to impart knowledge, inspire enthusiasm, and stimulate intellectual curiosity.” Professor Danahy believes the key quality he brings to the classroom is enthusiasm. “I think enthusiasm for chemistry is key. I started down a path in chemistry because I thought it was interesting, so imparting that interest (and enthusiasm) in the subject is key. Besides, chemistry neatly explains all goings on in the universe on a scale that’s comprehensible... how can you not be excited about it?!”
“Professor Danahy is a great teacher. As a humanities major, I was a bit scared to take a science course, but Professor Danahy made learning chemistry a lot of fun. He was always prepared for class, and he has a very effective and fun way of teaching.”
“Danahy is so devoted to making sure each student thoroughly learns concepts and can implement those into solving actual equations. He gives real-life examples that make it easy to understand what we’re talking about, and he does an impeccable job of simplifying otherwise complex chemistry terms and ideas into laymen’s terms. He makes me want to be a chemistry major.”
“I can’t say enough about how great a teacher Professor Danahy is. He breaks down complex content extremely well. He is clear and articulate and brings an infectious enthusiasm for chemistry that greatly contributes to students’ enjoyment of the class. He makes an intimidating subject/class accessible and makes sure students feel supported through it all.”
Denny Tesfa’s interest in chemistry stems from long before he took his first chemistry class in high school. From synthesizing laughing gas in his childhood backyard to experimenting with homemade fireworks, his explorations into how the world works set him on a lifelong path to a career in chemistry. As a lab instructor at Bowdoin, Denny enjoys providing students with varied hands-on laboratory experiences, such as investigating chemical properties and reactions, using chemistry to solve real-world problems, and illustrating the scientific method. He is also passionate about helping students develop their critical-thinking skills and improving their science literacy. He strives to create a fun and engaging learning environment.
“I think Denny was a great instructor for the course. He brought pervasive energy to the course. Especially for a Friday lab, he was able to motivate us to get the work done well.”
“Denny was always prepared for lab and had engaging pre-lecture talks! I appreciate his patience and flexibility throughout this course; it really helped my learning experience, and I feel like I got a lot out of this lab.”
“I loved Denny and thought he really helped me grow. Overall, I found Denny to be very knowledgeable and helpful! He clearly knew what he was doing and was prepared for all the labs. He was also very kind, and especially understanding when I had to miss a lab for a last-minute medical problem.”