Application deadline
17 June 2026
Registration deadline for Summer 2026 Session 1.
In-person Program
Physics, Grade 11 (SPH3U)
by University of Ottawa Engineering Outreach
Learn physics through experiments and design projects, from catapults to a mousetrap car, while developing scientific investigation skills.
Last verified: 8 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
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Physics Grade 11 at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Grade 10 academic science completed
Age range / Year group
Ages 13-18
Location / Region
SITE Building, 800 King Edward, Ottawa, Canada
Cost
$975
Duration
4 weeks; 110 instructional hours
Format
In-person
Latest deadline
17 June 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Get next-cycle reminderScienceSpace & physics
Language: English
Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m.
Credit / Outcome: 1.0 Ontario secondary-school credit
Final project: Mousetrap car, presentation, and report
Teacher: Jean-Paul Brichta
Assessment: 70% coursework; 30% final project
Accreditation: Ontario Ministry credit-granting authority
Physics Grade 11 summary
SPH3U connects core physics concepts with practical experiments and design challenges at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Engineering Secondary School.
Students build and test devices including a catapult, windmill, speaker, and mousetrap car, using feedback to improve their designs.
The teaching approach suits learners who want to understand equations through observable motion, forces, energy, and electrical effects.
What is Physics, Grade 11 (SPH3U)?
Physics, Grade 11 (SPH3U) is an Ontario university-preparation course offered by the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Engineering Secondary School. It covers kinematics, forces, energy transformations, waves and sound, and electricity and magnetism through practical investigations.
Students work in a university learning environment, building devices that make physical principles observable. Projects progress from a catapult and rocket-payload challenge to a final mousetrap car, with teacher and peer feedback helping students refine their prototypes.
Why Succeed highlights Physics Grade 11
Named build-and-test projects connect abstract physics concepts with measurable results.
The course combines an Ontario school credit with practical learning in university facilities.
Teacher and peer feedback make prototype improvement part of the learning process.
The final assessment combines a working prototype, presentation, and report.
Who is Physics Grade 11 for?
Best for
Students who want to understand physics through experiments, construction, and collaborative problem solving while working toward a school credit.
Not ideal if
You want a casual introduction with minimal assessed work, or your summer commitments make regular attendance difficult.
Is Physics Grade 11 worth it?
This course offers a clear academic purpose: students apply physics concepts in practical projects while earning a recognized school credit on successful completion. The strongest reason to choose it is the connection between calculations, experiments, and devices students can test and improve.
The condensed schedule requires sustained attention and reliable attendance. Families should weigh the fee and daily travel against other ways to study the same curriculum, particularly if the student would benefit from a slower pace.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$975; includes Course materials provided in class., Access to course software., Necessary course equipment and learning facilities., Teacher feedback and peer feedback., One school credit on successful completion..
Provider details
Review the University of Ottawa Engineering Outreach provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 weeks; 110 instructional hours; SITE Building, 800 King Edward, Ottawa, Canada.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Physics Grade 11 need?
Effort level
High for a condensed academic course.
Best started
Four to six weeks before a future summer session, allowing time for registration documents and a bursary application.
Main challenge
Keeping up with calculations and project work while attending consistently.
Typical preparation
Review Grade 10 academic science and practice algebra, unit conversions, and significant digits.
Gather your birth certificate, recent report card, and IEP if applicable.
Plan a reliable daily journey to the SITE Building and protect the class hours from conflicting commitments.
Useful if
You learn well by testing ideas and explaining how a design works.
What do students do on Physics Grade 11?
You investigate physical principles by building, measuring, and improving practical devices. The course moves from laboratory safety and motion to forces, energy, sound, and electromagnetism before a final design project.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn laboratory safety procedures and start an ePortfolio.
- 2
Study motion and build a catapult that hits a target.
- 3
Apply Newton's laws through investigations and a rocket-payload project.
- 4
Investigate energy transfer by modifying a windmill to increase its power.
- 5
Explore resonance and electromagnetism while developing a speaker.
- 6
Build a mousetrap car and present the final prototype with an accompanying report.
Physics Grade 11 dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
29 June-24 July 2026
Holiday break
1 July 2026
No class.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 17 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 29 June-24 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Holiday break | 1 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Students in Grades 8-12, subject to the course prerequisite.
Completed Science, Grade 10, Academic.
Grade 8 reach-ahead students need parent/guardian and principal approval.
How much does Physics Grade 11 cost?
Course fee
$975 CAD — Full Summer 2026 course.
Funding or discounts
- Financial support: Limited bursaries — For underrepresented STEM students and financial need; a separate application is required.
What's included
Course materials provided in class., Access to course software., Necessary course equipment and learning facilities., Teacher feedback and peer feedback., One school credit on successful completion.
How to apply to Physics Grade 11
- 1
Confirm that you have completed Grade 10 academic science.
- 2
Use the Faculty of Engineering Secondary School registration portal to select SPH3U.
- 3
Provide your email, legal status in Canada, birth certificate, and recent report card.
- 4
Provide your IEP if applicable, or signed reach-ahead permission if registering in Grade 8.
- 5
Submit the separate bursary form if you wish to be considered for financial support.
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What does Physics Grade 11 cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Motion
Study kinematics and apply motion concepts by building a catapult.
Forces
Investigate Newton's laws, gravity, and friction through a rocket-payload project.
Energy
Explore work, power, and energy conservation by improving a windmill's performance.
Sound, electricity, and magnetism
Investigate resonance and electromagnetism while learning the principles needed to build a speaker.
Final design project
Combine physics and design skills in a mousetrap car, presentation, and report.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Physics Grade 11?
A typical day during the program.
Classes and projects
9:00 a.m.-3:45 p.m., combining physics study, investigations, and project work.
Lunch break
The school calendar provides a 45-minute lunch break for summer in-person courses.
Who teaches on Physics Grade 11?
The January 2025 SPH3U outline names Jean-Paul Brichta as teacher and Julie Olivier as department head. Teaching includes ongoing feedback, informal discussions, quizzes, and peer review of prototypes.
Where do students stay on Physics Grade 11?
Non-residential plan
- Daytime campus study: Attend weekday classes at the SITE Building on the University of Ottawa campus.
- Learning facilities: In-person students can access necessary course equipment, computer laboratories, or laptops outside class hours.
- Learning accommodations: Students can request a needs-analysis meeting with a learning specialist to plan appropriate support.
What happens after Physics Grade 11?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Earn one SPH3U credit toward an Ontario secondary-school diploma.
Develop investigation and problem-solving skills for further science study.
Produce a mousetrap-car prototype, presentation, and report.
Explore science careers and Canada's contributions to space programs.
Credit depends on successful completion; a final achievement below 50% does not earn a credit.
Where does Physics Grade 11 take place?
Classes take place at the SITE Building, 800 King Edward, on the University of Ottawa campus. The campus is in downtown Ottawa and has access to public transit.
Physics Grade 11 FAQs
Yes. SPH3U carries 1.0 credit toward a secondary school diploma when successfully completed. A final achievement below 50% does not earn the credit.
The course outline specifies Science, Grade 10, Academic as the prerequisite.
You study kinematics, forces, energy transformations, mechanical waves and sound, and electricity and magnetism through investigations and practical projects.
Daily classroom work accounts for 70% of the grade. The final design project accounts for 30% and includes a prototype, presentation, and report; the school emphasizes practical assessment without final exams.
The outline includes a catapult, rocket-payload project, windmill investigation, speaker, and final mousetrap car. Students also start an ePortfolio.
No textbook is required. Students receive access to course materials in class and software to continue their learning.
Instructional, environmental, and assessment accommodations are supported. Required accommodations are recorded in the student's IEP, and students can request a needs-analysis meeting with a learning specialist.
The course page allows refunds until two weeks before the start, less a $40 administrative fee. Later cancellations through the second course day receive 50% less $40; cancellations after the first two days receive no refund.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Sean Stevens
Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)
Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Conventions and Reservations | About us
- Course calendar | Faculty of Engineering
- Policies and frequently asked questions | Faculty of Engineering
- Outline of Course of Study - DCO3O
- Outline of Course of Study
- Outline of Course of Study - ICS3U
- Outline of Course Of Study - ICD2O
- Outline of Course of Study - TDJ2O
- Outine of Course of Study - TAS1O
- Outline of Course of Study - TEJ2O
- Faculty of Engineering Secondary School | Faculty of Engineering
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 8 Oct 2026)
Course identity verified
Prerequisite reviewed
Credit requirements checked
Session dates checked
Course fee checked
Bursary support reviewed
Refund differences flagged
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Physics, Grade 11 (SPH3U)
by University of Ottawa Engineering Outreach
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