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DC’s Centre for Food Shows Off Kitchen Hacks for Daily Planet’s Seriously?!

Does chopping an onion bring a tear to your eye? Culinary students and employees at Durham College’s (DC) Centre for Food (CFF) can help you better survive dinner prep with handy kitchen tricks, which were recently featured on a segment of the Daily Planet’s Seriously?! hosted by Jay Ingram and filmed at the CFF.

The segment, which aired on the Discovery Channel on Thursday, May 21, followed Chef Dave Hawey, professor and program coordinator for the Culinary Skills program, along with culinary students as they walked Ingram through a series of “kitchen hacks” that are sure to make cooking a little easier.

“This was a fun way to share tricks that we, as chefs, have learned along the way that can help everyone in the kitchen,” Hawey said. “It was also a good opportunity for our students to do something a little different, while sharing the skills they have acquired during their studies.”

 

A total of eight kitchen hacks were displayed during the segment, some of which included:

  • Preventing tears while cutting an onion
  • Sharpening knives on a cup
  • Separating egg yolks
  • Cutting cake to avoid dry edges

The CFF is Durham Region’s first-ever post-secondary presence focused on the field-to-fork concept, which is based on the harvesting, storage, processing, packaging, sale and consumption of food – in particular the production of local food for local consumers.

Supported by ambassador and celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy, the CFF can accommodate 900 students studying in culinary, hospitality, event management, food science, and agricultural and horticultural programs, completing the full cycle of farming to the preparation, serving and celebration of food.

For more information about DC’s Centre for Food, visit www.durhamcollege.ca/cff

Congratulations to the winners of the Durham College Submit a Selfie contest

The votes are in and the top selfies have been selected! Durham College (DC) is pleased to announce that Irshaad Sherally, Meagan Holwerda and Greg Hussey are the winners of our DC Selfie Contest.

Sherally, who is enrolled in the Computer Systems Technology program, won a laptop computer of his/her choice while Holwerda, enrolled in the Library and Information Technician program, has won a new iPad. Hussey, enrolled in the Police Foundations program, will receive a pair of Beats by Dre headphones.

Upon receiving their acceptance letter, students were encouraged to submit a selfie photo of themselves holding a DC pennant and people voted for the top three selfies that showed the most school spirit.

Congratulations to the winners and special thanks to everyone who entered – and welcome to the DC experience!

Think you missed your chance to experience DC this September? It’s not too late! Seats are still available in a variety of programs that will provide education and training to place you at the forefront of today’s job market.  Visit www.durhamcollege.ca/september for a complete list of available programs, and be a part of it.

Unlock your child’s creative genius at DC

Every child has a Steven Spielberg, van Gogh, Einstein or Lady Gaga waiting to make a grand appearance. This year, let Durham College’s (DC) summer camps allow their talent to shine.

Offered through the School of Continuing Education, children between the ages of six and 14 have the opportunity to let their creativity blossom. Several weeklong programs are available to entertain, stimulate and provide children with lifelong memories, skills and tons of fun. All camps are offered at a beginner’s level in order to show new and creative ways of expression. Those who have previously completed one of the camps are offered advanced techniques and helpful tips to improve their skills.

Not all kids have the same interests but DC offers a variety of camps designed to appeal to all individual passions. Artistic children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of camps intended to further develop and strengthen artistic expertise while having fun. From filmmaking to sewing, DC’s summer camps offer a chance to explore new interests or expand on the old.

There is still room for creative thinking in one of our science-based camps. Children will be introduced to physics and the process of inventing through a variety of hands-on activities. These unique camps are catered to your child’s growing interest in all things science.

Children also have the opportunity to learn about engineering, architecture, construction and teamwork by participating in one of the LEGO® build camps made possible by Bricks 4 Kidz. These build camps are available as both creative and educational outlets, allowing children to understand complex concepts in a simple way.

All camps run Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and childcare is available before and after each session. Parents have the option to send their child with a nut- and citrus-free lunch or enjoy a camper lunch for an additional fee.

For more information (including registration), visit the summer camp website.

Durham College finishes strong at Skills Ontario competition

Durham College (DC) students owned the podium at Skills Ontario, Canada’s largest skilled trades’ competition. Our students outshined the competition, earning them gold and silver medals in multiple categories.

Adam Leadbetter, a level-three apprentice in DC’s Industrial Mechanic – Millwright program, won gold in the Industrial Mechanic Millwright category.

“The competition was intense,” said Leadbetter. “You put in your ear plugs, drown the world out and use all your concentration. I’m pretty ecstatic to be going to nationals and look forward to putting my skills to the test.”

Leadbetter’s win means he will be representing DC and Ontario against the best and brightest millwrights in Canada, when he participates in the Skills Canada national competition held in Saskatoon, Sask., from Wednesday, May 27 to Saturday, May 30. 

DC’s Mike Bachand, a second year Mechanical Technician – Mechanical Maintenance and Control student took home the silver in the same category as Leadbetter; Bryan Chamberlain, a Computer Systems Technology student, won silver in the IT Network Systems Administration category; and Blake Jessup, a level-three welding apprentice in the Welding program, also won silver in the Welding category. 

Overall, 13 DC students competed in various categories including Auto Service Technology, Baking, Culinary Arts, Heating Systems Technology and Plumbing. Congratulations to our students!

DC embraces nature during the 2015 Campus Clean-up

For some, the cleanliness of our environment is not top priority but sometimes it’s a good idea to make it one.

On May 13, Durham College (DC) students and employees hauled on gloves, collected empty garbage bags and took to the outdoors with the Sustainability Sub-Committee to make the campus beautiful during the 2015 Campus Clean-up.

Events like this play a key role in DC’s Living Green mandate, which includes environmental stewardship and raising awareness while promoting sustainability in its goals.

There were two options for the event — drop-in or stay for the entire time — but for two hours, all participants worked hard to clean up all the litter left behind on campus. By 3 p.m., 537 lbs. of waste, such as planks of wood, shopping carts and buckets, and 182 pounds of recycling were removed from the stream and trail path behind the South Village Residence.

The hard work did not go unrewarded. All participants received a Living Green glass water bottle as a thank you for making the environment a priority.

Science Rendezvous 2015 proves to be a fun-filled day of discovery

Families throughout Durham Region and beyond discovered just how exciting science can be as Durham College (DC) and University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) co-hosted Science Rendezvous on May 9.

From university labs to shopping malls and farmers’ markets to hospitals, science champions gathered at dozens of venues across the country to share their passion for science and technology, and encourage public understanding and interest in this dynamic field.

With nearly 650 attendees at Science Rendezvous in Oshawa, the day proved to be an engaging, informative and a fun-filled adventure into the impact that science and technology has on our everyday lives – from candy and cookies to bugs and bones.

More than 60 activities were spread across DC and UOIT’s shared campus in Oshawa, providing something to pique everyone’s interest. Some highlights included; extracting actual DNA from a strawberry, which participants even got to take home; building a balloon dragster while learning about Newton’s law of motion; launching bottle rockets using only air and water; making ice cream out of liquid nitrogen; integrating science with art in a colour symphony; and a tour of ACE, a performance testing facility featuring one of the largest and most sophisticated climatic wind tunnels on the planet.

The grand finale was a spirited game of Science Jeopardy that tested the knowledge participants had gained throughout the day by visiting the different exhibits.

“Science Rendezvous is a wonderful event that brings science to life for even the youngest of curious minds,” said Susan Todd, dean, School of Science, Engineering & Technology at DC. “We all have an intuitive sense of the role science plays in our lives, but don’t always realize how fun it can be to learn its many functions. This event makes science accessible to everyone and provides an exciting hands-on experience that also engages the imagination and showcases the endless possibilities in this exciting field.”

“It was a remarkable day”, said Dr. Greg Crawford, dean, UOIT Faculty of Science. “Kids, parents and grandparents wandered among the various displays, seeing, smelling, touching, and playing with a wide range of activities, and learning a little science and how the world works along the way. We are grateful to the many UOIT and DC faculty, staff, students and alumni that helped make this possible.” 

Check out the Science Rendezvous gallery for photos.

Durham College Ensures Access to College for Strike-Affected Students

Durham College (DC) will accept grade 12 mid-term grades as final grades for students applying to the fall 2015 semester from any school board impacted by the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) work stoppage.

“Our primary mandate as a college is access for students,” said Don Lovisa, president, Durham College. “At Durham College the student experience comes first and we remain committed to students’ success by putting plans in place to support affected students’ academic needs during these unique circumstances.”

In order to be eligible for consideration, students must have completed their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) prior to starting classes in the fall, and meet the entrance requirements for any program they have applied to. The current deadline for confirmation of all entry requirements is August 22. Should the strike go past the deadline for the school boards to issue the OSSD’s, refunds will be offered to any applicant who has already paid their $500 deposit.

“We understand that students’ in the affected boards feel uncertain about their post-secondary future,” said Meri Kim Oliver, vice-president, Student Affairs. “The leadership team at Durham College is doing everything we can to reassure them that, should all necessary requirements be met, we will accept them with open arms based on their mid-term grades.”

Regular updates will be posted on www.durhamcollege.ca, and all current DC applicants will be contacted directly in an effort to keep future students and their families informed as the situation progresses. Students or parents/guardians who have further concerns are invited to contact the college at 905.721.3000.

More information about the strike is available on the DDSB website.

More options to study abroad for DC students

Durham College (DC) students will soon have the option to study in India.

A new window for DC has been opened as it announces the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with India’s National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), to provide education and hands-on training in the automotive and agricultural sectors.

The signing was one of 10 MOU’s announced recently by Colleges and Institutes of Canada (CICan) and the offered programs will be branded by CICan, NSDC and participating Indian partners.

DC president Don Lovisa applauds Indian Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in upgrading the skills of India’s workforce. The agreement partners Canadian colleges with an institution in India to develop a joint venture arrangement for skills training geared towards students studying in applicable sectors.

“Our automotive programs offered at our Whitby campus and the agricultural work we’re currently undertaking at DC’s Centre for Food (CFF) are helping prepare our students for the demands of a complex and changing world,” said Lovisa. “This is a very exciting development for the college.”

Recently, Dr. Satender Arya, CEO of the Indian Agricultural Sector Skills Council, visited DC’s CFF. The visit has not only allowed him to view DC’s developments in agriculture and see the college’s programming in action, but has allowed for more developing partnerships abroad to position DC as an international presence.

Although the MOU with DC is currently signed only for the automotive and agriculture sectors, the college is also preparing to work in India in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field, which could be added to the NSDC framework in the near future.

Durham College students receive appreciation for playing it safe

Durham College (DC) was recognized on Wednesday, May 6 by the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) and the Insurance Bureau of Canada for its unique approach to emergency preparedness.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Emergency Preparedness Week, which this year runs from May 3 to 9, a group of students in the Interactive Design and Media program collaborated with OFMEM to create a series of videos and posters to promote emergency preparedness in Ontario.  

Students were required to create 60 to 90 second videos for families and seniors that stressed the importance of being prepared for situations such as emergency preparedness on campus, stovetop safety, emergency preparedness for pet owners, electrical blackouts, storms, floods and public alerting – just to name a few. The criteria was set by OFMEM, and students had to work with them to develop a process from feasibility study to the end product.

“This recognition will motivate and build the students’ confidence for their future careers,” said Linda Cheng, professor, School of Media Art & Design at DC. “It taught them to listen attentively, understand the needs of a client, come up with a plan, form a team, establish a timeline and deliver a final product.”

The partnership initiated in 2012 when Jude Kelly, Communications and Public Education, OFMEM, worked with Cheng and her students, to create a game day program for the Juno Hoops charity basketball event. Kelly was impressed by the students’ talent and proposed a collaboration.

“The project was so successful that I approached Ms. Cheng immediately afterward to see if she would be interested in working together on another project,” said Kelly. “She liked the concept and slotted it into her curriculum.”

After two successful collaborations in 2014 and 2015, the partnership has proven to be an excellent resource for OFMEM and valuable experience for students.

“I strongly believe in practicing what we learn in the classroom as it pertains to industry,” said Cheng. “This recognition validates our curriculum and our students’ talent and professionalism, and we will certainly continue to build on this collaboration and expand into more industries.”

This project also included students from DC’s Contemporary Web Design program, who created mock web pages on emergency preparedness. Successful entries were posted on the OFMEM website and YouTube channel, and promoted via Twitter and Facebook.

DC faculty member’s unconventional teaching methods wins award

Congratulations to Durham College’s (DC) Dr. Lynne Kennette, Professor of Psychology, School of Interdisciplinary Studies & Employment Services, who will receive the Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award – an award given to people who teach at the two-year college level.

The award will be presented at the annual American Psychological Association (APA) Convention held in Toronto this August. Criteria included the use of innovative teaching methods, developing interest and awareness of psychology, and developing a professional identity off campus.

“I am so grateful to the Society for the Teaching of Psychology for recognizing my teaching efforts with the Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award,” said Kennette.

Kennette’s teaching methods may be unconventional, using TV programs like Big Bang theory and Family Guy to better relate psychological concepts to her students; however, it’s this unconventional method that engages her students and drives their interest in psychology.

“Teaching well requires a lot of planning, and it can be a very challenging profession at times, but I love it,” she explained. “I have so much fun designing learning activities for my students. Witnessing their ‘aha moments’ when the concepts we discuss in class come to life in classroom experiments or demonstrations makes all the planning and hours of preparation worth it.”

Kennette is DC’s only full-time psychology instructor, but her work in mentoring students has encouraged some to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the university level. She also shares her lessons with, and helps guide, part-time staff on campus to provide the best psychology education the college can offer even though it’s a general education course rather than a dedicated program.

But what means the most to Kennette is being a professor that students are genuinely excited to see on and off campus. She has also made such a difference in the lives of her students, that she often sees their friends sign up for her class in following years.

The award process consisted of a self-nomination form and letters of support required from students, faculty and peers.

“It is truly humbling to have my peers, who are typically previous award recipients, review my application materials and deem me worthy of such an honour,” she said.

The award comes with a plaque and $1,500 as well as a mention in the fall issue of one of the APA’s journals, Teaching of Psychology.