What's New in DSBN Technology!
June 20, 2008
Port Colborne High School Auto Department Gets
Operation Mobilization Mobile
Last Friday, the Port Colborne Automotive Technology Department handed over the keys of a Dodge Grand Caravan to Operation Mobilization Canada. The van, originally donated by Tanya Carl, a history teacher at Port Colborne High School, was brought up to current safety standards by PCHS students, under the guidance of teacher Mike Pastore. Students replaced the brake lines, tires, tie-rod ends, repaired rocker panels and performed oil changes, transmission and radiator flushes. Parts were donated by Young Automotive Professionals and the tires were contributed by Murdoch Tires. Ricci Automotive performed safety and emissions tests.
Harold Coles, a team leader with Operation Mobilization Canada said that the minivan will be put to good use by staff when they have international visitors in town when they need to go out to schools and churches to rally support for some of their projects.
Congratulations to the Port Colborne students who participated on this project for performing their skills and representing their school and the DSBN in such a professional manner. A special thank-you to Port Colborne High School Technical Director Mike Pastore for providing your students with this opportunity to hone their automotive and auto body repair skills while giving back to the community.
Port Colborne High School will be kicking off two Specialist High Skills Major programs in September in Transportation and Welding. For more information about the SHSM program, please click HERE.
June 11, 2008
Students put the wraps on 2008 DSBN - Habitat for Humanity Partnership Home Build in Fort Erie
On June 11, the DSBN celebrated our 5th and 6th homes built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Niagara under the Ministry of Education approved Specialist High Skills Major program. The DSBN Technology has the only official partnership in the Province of Ontario in which secondary school students build new homes each year for Habitat for Humanity. The DSBN was the original Ministry of Education Pilot program for the Specialist High Skills Major - Construction in Ontario, and it remains one of the strongest and most rewarding SHSM programs in the province.
All of the students who participated have registered for their apprenticeship through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and many of these students will be starting to work in the skilled trades this summer as carpenters, electricians, plumbers, drywall installers and brick layers. Not only have our technology students learned new skills, but they also had the opportunity to explore, identify and refine their career and postsecondary education goals. Additionally, students were able to give back to the community - experiencing the joy and satisfaction of helping those that may not have experienced the same opportunities in life that they have.
Congratulations to the SHSM Construction student team on a job well done! Thank you for your excellent representation of the technologies offered throughout the district. A special thank you to Ken Willms - Lead Construction Teacher, who once again made it work for everyone!
The DSBN is currently taking Applications for SHSM Construction house builds in September and February. For an application form, please click HERE.
Toast Technology is on from June 17 - 20 at the DSBN Education Centre
Next week, DSBN Technology will be featured in the Atrium at the Education Centre in a display highlighting the the many successes of DSBN Technology students, programs and events from the 2007/2008 school year. Photos have been contributed from secondary and elementary schools across the district and showcase the variety of programs, hard work and dedication of our teachers and the skills and accomplishments of our students.
Please come out and share in celebrating the number and diversity of exciting Technology programs happening in the DSBN's school shops and throughout the district.
The DSBN Education Centre is located at 191 Carlton St., St. Catharines.
May 28, 2008
Kevin Piunno Brings Home a National Silver Medal!
Congratulations to Kevin Piunno from Sir Winston Churchill for earning a silver medal in Internet - Web Page Design at the 2008 Canadian Skills Competition in Calgary!
Congratulations also to Jasmine Kukasch (Stamford) and Dylan Vittie (E.L. Crossley) for your excellent representation of Ontario, the DSBN and DSBN Technology over two difficult days of competition on the national stage! For more information about the 2008 CSC, please see the stories below.
May 28, 2008
Click on the link below to view pictures from Day 2 of the 2008 Canadian Skills Competition as well as some great shots from Team Ontario's travels around the Calgary and Banff area.
2008 Canadian Skills Competition Galleries
May 27, 2008
The website Photo Gallery has been updated to provide a glimpse of the Opening Ceremonies and Competition - Day 1 from the 14th Annual Canadian Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta. Stamford's Jasmine Kukasch, E.L. Crossley's Dylan Vittie and Sir Winston Churchill's Kevin Piunno are doing an excellent job representing their schools and the DSBN as part of Team Ontario. The competitions continue today, with medals being presented at the Closing Ceremonies tomorrow.
2008 Canadian Skills Competition Gallery
For more information, please read the stories below.
May 26, 2008
The 14th Annual Canadian Skills Competition Begins in Calgary!
After this past weekend's Opening Ceremonies, the competitions officially begin today at the 14th Annual Canadian Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta. 500 students from across Canada will compete over the next two days, with the medals being presented at the Closing Ceremonies on Wednesday. Three DSBN students are representing Ontario in the hopes of advancing to the 2009 WorldSkills Competition. For more information, please see the story below.
May 23, 2008
...And They're Off to Calgary!
Today, three students from DSBN will be off to the 14th Annual Canadian Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta to compete as part of Team Ontario on the national stage. The competitions take place from May 25 - 28 in Calgary's Stampede Park.
Kevin Piunno from Sir Winston Churchill (Internet-Web Page Design), Jasmine Kukasch from Stamford (Hairstyling) and Dylan Vittie from E.L. Crossley (Electrical Wiring) have been preparing for the nationals since they achieved provincial level gold medals at the 19th Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo earlier this month.
A special thank-you to DSBN Technology teachers Kate Shepherd, Liz Digaetano, Jill Russell and Marc Demers for all of your hard work in helping our students to achieve success at this level.
This year's Canadian Skills Competition participants have the opportunity to earn a spot on Team Canada to compete at the 2009 WorldSkills Competition, which will also be taking place in Calgary.
2008 Provincial Medalists Announcement (pdf)
May 15, 2008
Fort Erie's Pomegranate Restaurant Serves Up Quality
Led by teacher Afshin Keyvani, the Culinary Arts students at Fort Erie Secondary School have managed to turn their highschool classroom into a fine dining establishment. Complete with curtained walls, ambient music, linens and candles on the tables, one quickly forgets they are in a highschool classroom once seated in the Pomegranate Restaurant. The high standards extended to the service, which was attentive and courteous, and the food, which was creative, delicious and elegantly presented.
Courses included chilled melon and mint soup, FESS Tapas - including samplings of tabbouleh; baba ghannoj; hummus; yalantzi dolmathes; blue cheese, pear and smoked salmon - and Chicken Supreme Nabbiolo, a tender quarter chicken stuffed with Italian sausage and topped with spinach, campitello cheese and wrapped in pancetta. Dessert was a delicious pannacotta with mixed berries and pomegranate coulis.
Student Krystin LeRoy said that working at the Pomegranate is excellent experience for the students, who normally can only find work in the foods industry at fast-food establishments. Students are able to gain experience creating sophisticated dishes and serving customers in an upscale atmosphere.
The restaurant is open on Wednesday evenings by reservation only until June.
Sir Winston Creates Winning Roller Coaster Design
Congratulations to the Sir Winston Churchill technology students and teacher Jill Russell on their Gold Medal win at the Canada's Wonderland Roller Coaster Design Competition, which was judged by Wonderland Ride Engineers.
May 7, 2008
Team DSBN Brings Home 14 Provincial Medals!
DSBN Technology would like to congratulate our 14 students who brought home provincial medals from this year's 19th Annual Ontario Technological Skills Competitions, which were held this past Monday and Tuesday at RIM Park in Waterloo. The event hosted over 1500 competitors and drew a crowd of over 27,000 spectators.
A complete listing of all our student medalists are posted on the DSBN website Skills Awards page.
Thank you to all of the DSBN students and teacher advisors who participated at this year's event for your excellent representation of the technologies offered across the district. A special thank-you to teachers Jill Russell, Kate Shepherd, Liz Digaetano, Marc Demers, Joe Caruso, Greg McInerney, John Donato, Liz Medwin, Leonard Aylward and Lea Bowman for your hard work and dedication in preparing your students to achieve this success on the provincial stage.
The best of luck to our Team DSBN students who will be competing as part of Team Ontario at the national level Canadian Skills Competition, May 25-28 in Calgary, Alberta!
May 6, 2008
Team DSBN Competes at Skills Canada-Ontario Competitions in Waterloo
On Monday, May 5 and Tuesday, May 6, the District School Board of Niagara had 40 students competing as part of "Team DSBN" at the provincial-level Skills Canada-Ontario Technological Skills Competitions. This annual event, held at RIM Park in Waterloo, draws a crowd of over 27,000 spectators and allows 1500 students to showcase their skills in over 50 different contest areas.
Medalists from today's secondary level competitions will be announced tomorrow at the Skills Canada-Ontario Awards Breakfast.
Winners from yesterday's elementary level competitions were announced today, with the DSBN bringing home provincial medals in 2 out of 3 possible categories!
Congratulations to the DSBN Champions and provincial GOLD medalists in the 7&8 Techknowledge Challenge from Ross Public School and to the DSBN Champions and provincial SILVER medalists in 7&8 Lego Robotics from Dalewood Public School.
A complete listing of all our student medalists will be posted on the DSBN website Skills Awards page.
May 1, 2008
Simbotics Recognized at Premier's Innovation Awards
This week, members of Simbotics -- the World Champion FIRST Robotics team from Governor Simcoe Secondary -- were recognized for their achievements by Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, at the 2008 Premier's Innovation Awards gala. This annual event honours the best of Ontario's research and innovation community and recognizes the accomplishments and potential of some of Ontario's brightest minds.
April 21, 2008
Simbotics are on Top of the World!
It has been an incredible season for Simbotics, the world-class robotics team from Governor Simcoe Secondary. This past weekend, they dominated at the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) World Championships in Atlanta, taking the title of World Champions.
Team 1114 Simbotics, Simcoe's FRC (FIRST Robotics Challenge) team, began by sweeping the Galileo division in Atlanta with thirteen straight wins, including the highest-scoring match of 156 points. They proceeded to victory on the Einstein field to take the title of World Champions.
Team 1114 Simbotics earned the right to compete in Atlanta after winning three regional championships and qualifying as only one of three hundred and forty one teams from around the world. Throughout the 2007/08 season, over thirty seven thousand students participated in forty one different regional FIRST events.
The Simbotics FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) robot also competed in Atlanta, defending its two-time World Championship title record. Simbotics FTC competed against 100 other teams from around the world, finishing as semi-finalists in a very close battle.
Congratulations and thank-you to Governor Simcoe Technical Director and Simbotics Lead Mentor Greg Phillips for all of his hard work and dedication over the years. In six years, Simbotics has never finished less than 12th position in the world and have earned three world championships and over fifty awards.
Congratulations to team 1114 Simbotics, coach Derek Bessette and the student drive-team of Brandon Pruniak, Chris Lyddiatt and Luke Viser for their outstanding performance.
Congratulations also to the Simbotics FTC drive-team, including former student and coach Jeff Beckett and students Matt Coffey, Zak Mason and Mike Quill.
A special thank-you to corporate sponsor General Motors St. Catharines Power Train and Steve Rourke, Engineering Director, for helping to provide these opportunities for success for our students and our community.
For more information about Simbotics, please visit: www.simbotics.org
Competition videos can be viewed at:
http://www.thebluealliance.net/tbatv/#week90
April 20, 2008
Governor Simcoe Secondary's Simbotics Crowned World Champions!!!
After an extremely difficult competition, Simbotics (team 1114) has emerged victorious from the Galileo division at the FIRST World Championships in Atlanta. With a score of 7-0-0 in the qualifying matches and 6-0-0 in the elimination rounds, Simbotics has added a championship division win and World Champions status to their already impressive three regional championship wins this year!
Congratulations also to Westlane Spartonics (team 1503) for their top 10 finish in the Galileo championship division in Atlanta!
For more information about the DSBN Teams, FIRST Robotics, or the FIRST World Championships, please visit the links listed in the article below.
April 18, 2008
The action continues at the FIRST Championship in Atlanta!
Be sure to catch some of the LIVE streaming video from the 2008 FIRST Robotics Competition at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, where DSBN teams from Governor Simcoe, Westlane and Sir Winston Churchill are among the over 10,000 participating students from 25 different countries.
Governor Simcoe Simbotics (1114) and Westlane Spartonics (1503) will be competing in the Galileo Division.
FIRST ROBOTICS LINKS:
Live Streaming Video:
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/
Official FIRST website:
http://www.usfirst.org/ (Official FIRST website)
Blog with FIRST predictions:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66987&highlight=1114
School FIRST Websites:
Westlane: www.spartonics.org
Governor Simcoe: www.simbotics.org
Fort Erie: www.fesstronics.ca
April 17, 2008
DSBN Robotics Teams Competing at FIRST Championship in Atlanta!
Today the DSBN robotics teams kick off competition at the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. Teams from Governor Simcoe, Westlane and Sir Winston Churchill secondary schools will all be participating in the 2007/08 FIRST worldwide robotics competition.
It has been a fantastic season for DSBN Technology as Governor Simcoe once again dominated in all three Regional FIRST Competitions. Fort Erie Secondary won their first Regional Competition bringing back the Gold Championship medal. Westlane was a very strong competitor, finishing in the medal round in each of their Regional Competitions. Sir Winston Churchill caused a major upset in the New York City Regional Competition - the only Canadian Team in NY - taking the Gold out of the hands of the USA. Through these competitions DSBN Robotics teams have also shone a spotlight on their schools, their students, and DSBN robotics by being featured on CHCH News and Cogeco Cable, where their commitment for robotics was evident to all.
The DSBN teams have endured a six week build, a host of Regional Competitions, and now they head to Atlanta to face four Championship division competitions. With a win on the Einstein Field in Atlanta they can emerge as the World Champions!
For more information (including live video streaming) visit:
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/robotics/
http://www.usfirst.org/
Governor Simcoe (1114) and Westlane (1503) will be competing in the Galileo Division.
April 3, 2008
The 6th Annual DSBN Technological Award Celebration Banquet
The 6th Annual DSBN Technological Award Celebration was held on April 2, at Club Italia in Niagara Falls to honour our 2008 DSBN Technological Skills Champions. In front of a crowd of over 630 student champions, parents, teachers and community partners, all Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were presented to our deserving champions.
All of the results for the 2008 DSBN Technological Skills Challenges are listed on the Skills Award page. Photos from the evening can be viewed on the Photo Gallery page.
Thank-you to everyone who attended in support of our DSBN Technology students and programs.
Gold-medal winners from the DSBN challenges will advance to the provincial-level Qualifying competitions on April 12 at Niagara College or advance directly to the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, taking place from May 5-7, 2008 at RIM Park in Waterloo.
March, 2008
The 10th Annual DSBN Technological Skills Challenges were a success!
We have officially wrapped up the 10th Annual DSBN Technological Skills Challenges and this year's challenges were a great success! As always, this year's challenges brought out the best-of-the-best of what DSBN Technology has to offer -- showcasing the skills and talents of our students and the hard work and dedication of our teachers.
DSBN Technology also wishes to thank all of its valued partners, the DSBN Board of Trustees and Administrators for their their continued support of the DSBN Skills Challenges. Without their support, we would not be able to provide our students with such rewarding opportunities for learning and success.
Gold-medal winners from the DSBN challenges will advance to the provincial-level Qualifying competitions on April 12 at Niagara College or advance directly to the Ontario Technological Skills Competition, taking place from May 5-7, 2008 at RIM Park in Waterloo.
February 20, 2008
DSBN Skills Challenges Today at Seaway Mall in Welland!
The Seaway Mall in Welland will be hosting three DSBN Skills Challenges today -- the Automotive Service Technology, Small Powered Equipment and TV & Video Production Challenges. Over 50 students will be competing for DSBN gold in Seaway Mall's Centre Court, where the action can be viewed on the internet via the mall's LIVE WEBCAM.
To view the action, please visit:
http://www.seawaymall.com/mallcam.html
A very special thank-you to the Seaway Mall, Challenge Coordinators Eric Rioux, Gary Young, Mike Pastore and Jill Russell, the Brock University Faculty of Education and all of the DSBN Technology Teachers who have dedicated their time and energy into making this event a success for our students.
February 7, 2008
The 2008 DSBN Technological Skills Challenges are Underway!
The 10th Annual DSBN Technological Skills Challenges kicked off today with Internet Web Design and Photography at Stamford Collegiate. 20 students from across the district participated in the two challenges, which were judged by industry professionals and gave students an opportunity to receive valuable constructive feedback on their work. A special thank-you to Stamford teachers Doug Rysdale and Greg McInerney for co-ordinating these great challenges.
The top three students from each competition will be listed alphabetically by school name on the TECH AWARDS page after each challenge and the medal placings will be announced at the DSBN Technological Award Celebration on April 2 at Club Italia.
For more information about all of the 2008 DSBN Skills Challenges, please visit the SKILLS CHALLENGES page.
February 5, 2008
Upcoming Tech Tuesdays in February!
February 4 - Hairstyling
February 5 - Construction & Home Building
February 12 - Culinary Arts
February 12 - Electrical Wiring
February 12 - TV & Video Production
January 22, 2008
Tech Tuesday in CULINARY ARTS -- February 12!
On Tuesday, February 12, DSBN students will have the opportunity to receive experiential training and practice in Culinary Arts in preparation for the Niagara College Cook-off and this year's DSBN Culinary Arts Skills Challenge. This session, featuring Chefs from Niagara College, will take place at 3:30pm at Eastdale Secondary School. All interested students should speak to their Technology or Co-op teacher for details.
CLICK HERE for more information about the 2008 DSBN Culinary Arts Skills Challenge.
January 10, 2008
Show us your Job Skills and Job Interview Skills!
Next Tuesday, January 15, DSBN students will have an opportunity to attend a Tech Tuesday information and training session for the Job Skill Demonstration and Job Interview Challenges. This session and these challenges are open to ALL secondary students across the DSBN.
Ann Gilmore, DSBN English Consultant, will be leading the session to clarify the requirements and to help students hone their skills in preparation for the challenges. This session will also be valuable to ANY student participating in ANY of the challenges in preparation for the Job Interview Component.
For more information on the Job Skill Demonstration and Job Interview Challenges, please visit the SKILLS CHALLENGES page.
Students interested in registering for Tech Tuesday sessions should see their Technology or Co-op teacher.
December 14, 2007
DSBN Students Hone Their Hands-on Skills at Electrical Wiring and Welding Tech Tuesdays
Our first Electrical Wiring Tech Tuesday, held at E.L. Crossley on December 11, was hosted by DSBN Technology teacher Marc Demers and Electrician Roy Smith. Roy is currently in the Technological Education Pre-Service program at Brock University, so this session allowed him to share his professional knowledge and experience with DSBN students, while honing his teaching skills at the same time. The students received detailed instruction and an excellent opportunity to practice their hands-on skills in residential wiring techniques with guidance from Roy and DSBN teachers.
The DSBN has already held three Welding Tech Tuesday sessions this year, hosted by teachers Dave Franklin (Beamsville), Vic Barker (Port Colborne) and Mike LaChance (Thorold). These hands-on working sessions have covered welding in the flat position, S.M.A.W and G.M.A.W. processes and CNC plasma cutting, giving students excellent opportunities to hone their skills for the DSBN Skills Challenges and for testing with the Canadian Welding Association.
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December 11, 2007
Photography Tech Tuesday was a Valuable Learning Experience
On Tuesday, December 4, students from across the DSBN attended the Photography Tech Tuesday session at Stamford Collegiate. Professional photographer and skills challenges judge, Mike DiBatista and guest speaker/presenter Thomas Weller of Thomas Weller Photography shared examples of their work, their knowledge and experience with the students. The photographers also provided the students with an opportunity to receive a professional critique of their own work. A very special thank-you to the guest Photographers and to Stamford Collegiate Technology teacher, Greg McInerney, for coordinating and hosting this Tech Tuesday session.
For more information on Tech Tuesdays, including upcoming session dates, please CLICK HERE.
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November 29, 2007
The 2007 "Skills Work!® For Women" Networking Dinner
For the seventh consecutive year, Skills Canada-Ontario hosted their "Skills Work!® For Women" Networking Dinner in St. Catharines. Over 100 young women from high schools across the District School Board of Niagara had the opportunity to meet and network with inspiring women working or training in skilled trades and technologies careers.
A special thank-you to all of the DSBN teachers who registered and accompanied their students to this great event. To see more photos from the evening, please click HERE.
Above: Students and teachers from Beamsville District Secondary School discover the connections that can be made through networking during this interactive activity at the 2007 "Skills Work® For Women" Networking Dinner.
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November 26, 2007
2007 WorldSkills Japan Results
The 2007 WorldSkills Competition in Japan has come to a close. The Canadian Champions from the District School Board of Niagara, Chris Rintjema and Andrew Kramer, with teacher Chad Whittington from Grimsby Secondary School, worked extremely hard throughout the exhaustive competition in a very demanding environment.
The World Skills Mobile Robotics competition was an extremely tight race, with rounds being decided by mere fractions of a point. When the results were in, our DSBN team placed 6th in the world - an outstanding achievement! Chris and Andrew were excellent representatives of the DSBN and Canada, remaining positive and professional throughout the entire 4 days of competition.
Now the DSBN is well underway in its preparations for the 10th Annual DSBN Technological Skills Challenges - Be a Champion! Challenges will be running throughout the month of February 2009. This is a qualifying year for the next chance to compete on the world stage... this time in Canada at the 2009 World Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta.
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November 17, 2007
Update from WorldSkills Japan
The 2007 WorldSkills Competition is officially underway. For a glimpse of the competition so far, click here.
For more photos of the event, please visit the official WorldSkills website at: http://www.worldskills.org select Photo Gallery then Shizuoka 2007.
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November 12, 2007
Grimsby Robotics Students Compete at WorldSkills in Japan!
They're off! This past weekend, Chris Rintjema, Andrew Kramer and teacher Chad Whittington left for Shizuoka, Japan to represent the Grimsby Secondary School Robotics team, the District School Board of Niagara, and all of Canada at the 2007 WorldSkills Competition. Chris and Andrew are two of three students from Ontario who earned a position on Team Canada.
The Grimsby Robotics team of Chris, Andrew, Peter Mullen and Stuart Haws, advanced to world class status by winning Gold at the 2006 DSBN Technological Skills Challenges, Gold at the 2006 Ontario Technological Skills Competition, and Gold at the 2006 Canada Skills Competition.
DSBN Technology congratulates Grimsby Robotics on all of their achievements and wishes them good luck at the 2007 WorldSkills Competition in Shizuoka Japan! For all of the details on this exciting event, please visit: www.skillsfestival2007.or.jp/en/index.html
The next WorldSkills event will be held in Calgary in 2009. For more information on the DSBN Technological Skills Challenges, please visit the Skills Challenges page. For more information on WorldSkills Calgary 2009, please visit: www.worldskills2009.com
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November 5, 2007
Today is National Skilled Trades Day in Canada!
October 31, 2007
DSBN Strikes Again at the Skills Canada-Ontario Regional Cardboard Boat Races!
It started with Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in the Toronto Regional Cardboard Boat Competition on Monday, October 29, when the Sir Winston team won the silver medal and a spot at the Provincial Finals held in Waterloo this coming February.
Then came Tuesday, when Eden High School showcased the talents of more of our DSBN Technology Students and dominated (once again) in the London Regional Boat Competition. Eden not only won the gold medal and Championship, but they also won the silver medal as well. Eden has won either the gold or silver or both since they started in this competition back in 2000! Eden will also represent DSBN in the Provincial Finals in Feburary.
Congratulations to the Sir Winston Churchill team led by Rob Busca - Technology Teacher: Brad Gesch, David Boothman and Katie Roepke
Congratulations to the Eden teams led by Gerald Stone - Technical Director and Dave Hunter - Technology Teacher:
Gold: Brad Froese, Cody Schuender, Cory Schappert and Jeff Dancy
Silver: Nick Thorburn, Josh Warren, Ben Wall and Steve Stone
For more photos please visit the Eden Technology Website:
www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/schools/eden/dt/
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October 30, 2007
DSBN Technology on CKTB
Today at 12:20pm, Eric Rioux, Transportation Technology teacher at Lakeport Secondary School, will be interviewed on CKTB regarding the bio-fuel initiative that he and his students are currently working on. The station can be accessed by clicking on "Listen Now" in the top left corner of the CKTB website: www.610cktb.com
October 29, 2007
Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School Wins GOLD!
Students from Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School brought home a GOLD medal from the recent Mechanical Transporter Competition at the McMaster University Engineering Olympics. Each team member was not only awarded with a gold medal, but also a $500 entrance scholarship to McMaster University. Congratulations to students Cory Eikelenboom, Darren Hicks, Katie Roepke and Robbie Smith, and a special thank-you to teachers Rob Busca and Mike DiRamio for providing our students with this opportunity for success!
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October 29, 2007
Beamville Students Contribute to the Community
Students from Beamsville District Secondary School recently completed the boardwalk at Charles Daley Park. Congratulations to the students involved for your excellent representation of DSBN Technology and a special thank-you to teacher Ken Willms, for providing Beamsville students with this opportunity to achieve success and give back to the community.
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October 3, 2007
NEW! TECH TIMELINE
A new "Calendar of Events" link has been added on the left side menu under "Explore Tech!" to help you plan for this year's Technology programs and events. A complete schedule for Tech Tuesdays can also be found here!
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September 26, 2007
DSBN TECH TUESDAYS!!
We are happy to announce that DSBN TECH TUESDAYS are officially starting! DSBN Tech Tuesdays will provide both students and teachers with opportunities to participate in after-school skills training sessions in the various Technology sectors to develop and hone their skills in anticipation for this year's Skills Challenges.
This is a very exciting year for the Skills Challenges, as this year's national-level Canadian Skills Competition will be held in Calgary and this is a qualifying year for the 2009 WorldSkills Competition!
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September 12, 2007
ATTENTION DESIGNERS:
The 19th Ontario Technological Skills Competition Medal Design and Pin Design Contests are underway! Skills Canada-Ontario is accepting submissions until November 23, 2007.
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September 12, 2007
"Skills Work!® for Women" Networking Dinner
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The "Skills Work!® for Women" Networking Dinner is an an award-winning program and an eye-opening experience where female students in grades 9-12 can network with female mentors currently working or training in skilled trades and technology careers.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
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September 4, 2007
Welcome back! This school year, we look forward to many new and exciting initiatives in DSBN Technology. Keep checking the Technology Website for all of the latest news and information about programs, activities and achievements in DSBN Technology.
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July 20-21, 2007
The Simbotics team from Governor Simcoe Secondary School has added yet another GOLD medal to their impressive collection. Led by Technical Director, Greg Phillips, and students Chris Lyddiatt and Brandon Pruniak, Simbotics won first place at the highly-regarded Indiana Robotics Invitational on July 20-21. Congratulations on another amazing achievement!
For more information on Simbotics please CLICK HERE
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June 25, 2007
Today marked the official project closing of the DSBN-Habitat for Humanity Niagara Specialist High Skills Major Student Home Build. The Closing Celebration was held today at the Fort Erie build site.
The completion of this home build marks the completion of the pilot year for the DSBN's Specialist High Skills Major in Construction. SHSM programs are designed to provide students with highly-specialized, sector-specific learning and skills development opportunities, which help to prepare them for success in post-secondary destinations. The DSBN's SHSM in Construction was one of 27 Ministry-approved pilot programs launched across Ontario for the 2006/2007 school year, in five different sector areas.
The DSBN has been very fortunate this semester, both in its continued partnership with Habitat for Humanity Niagara, and in bringing together such an outstanding build team: 20 students from Port Colborne, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach and Fort Erie, along with lead construction teacher Mr. Ken Willms, and Mr. John Sherk. The students demonstrated on-going professionalism, growth and dedication. Congratulations to the entire team on your achievements, your commitment to the Specialist High Skills Major Program, and on your contributions to the Fort Erie community.
To view the full slideshow of images CLICK HERE
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June 18, 2007
The DSBN Skills ipod Winner!
Congratulations to Kelsey Gossen from Eden High School who was presented with a new ipod! Kelsey's name was randomly drawn from over 100 students across the district who completed the DSBN Skills Challenges Online Student Feedback Form.
Kelsey, along with partner David Tebbutt, was also the DSBN Skills Challenges T.V. & Video Production Silver Medalist. Congratulations on your achievements Kelsey!
A special thank-you to DSBN partner Torcomp Systems Ltd. for donating the 8GB ipod Nano in support of the DSBN Technological Skills Challenges.
Thank you also to all of the students who completed the form and provided us with your valuable input. We look forward to introducing new and exciting initiatives next year in DSBN Technology and the 2008 DSBN Skills Challenges!
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June 14, 2007
The date has been set for the DSBN-Habitat for Humanity Niagara Specialist High Skills Major Student Home Build Closing Celebration and Barbeque. The celebration kicks off at the Fort Erie build site on Monday, June 25, at noon.
This project marks the completion of DSBN's 3rd home build this year and our 4th Habitat for Humanity home build. This was also the first year for our pilot program in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the DSBN Specialist High Skills Major - Construction.
The students from Port Colborne, Ridgeway-Crystal Beach and Fort Erie who participated in this build, along with lead construction teacher Ken Willms, have worked extremely hard to make a Fort Erie family's dream of owning their own home a reality. Next year's DSBN/H4HN student home build will also be a Specialist High Skills Major, and will be open to all students across the district.
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June 11, 2007
The website Photo Gallery has been updated to provide a glimpse of the 13th Annual Canada Skills Competition in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Stamford's Kayla MacFarlane did an excellent job representing the DSBN as part of Team Ontario, competing in Hairstyling.
A special thank-you to teachers Liz Digaetano and Kate Shepherd for your time and dedication in helping Kayla prepare for this event.
Team Ontario (including a total of 61 students in both Secondary and Post-Secondary) brought home medals in 34 contest areas at the Canada Skills Competition.
Team Canada also attended the event as they prepare to compete on the world stage in Japan this fall. 2006 National Robotics Gold Medalists (former DSBN/Grimsby S.S. students) Chris Rintjema and Andrew Kramer, with G.S.S. teacher Chad Whittington, were working hard to prepare and are looking forward to representing Canada and DSBN Technology!
The 2008 Canada Skills Competition will be held in Calgary, Alberta!
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June 6, 2007
This year the Niagara Public Health Department once again offered schools across the District School Board of Niagara - both elementary and secondary - the opportunity to develop a Public Advertising Campaign against smoking! Schools were asked to produce a video, audio, or poster campaign denouncing smoking.
Stamford Collegiate Technology students participated for the second year in a row - designing, storyboarding and producing a 60-second video commercial. Feedback on the video from the Niagara Public Health Department was extremely positive, and the video has been sent to the Ontario Department of Health for possible distribution.
Thank you to the technology teachers and students at Stamford for your excellent representation of the technologies offered throughout the district.
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June 4, 2007
Today, the District School Board of Niagara celebrated its first Specialist High Skills Major Partnership Build with an official closing ceremony.
Paul Phelps, President of Phelps Homes, thanked the DSBN technology students from Beamsville and South Lincoln and their teacher Ken Willms, for the superior quality of workmanship that was demonstrated throughout the build.
Mr. Phelps went on to outline the growing opportunities within the new home construction sector - 73,000 new homes started last year, 313,000 jobs in the new housing sector, $14.5 billion in wages in 2007, with the average construction wage 3% higher than the average industry wage!
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