Program Development Assistance Fund (PDAF)
Successful Project Profiles
Junior & Senior High Level
School Year |
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2025-2026 |
2024-2025 |
2023-2024 |
2022-2023 |
2021-2022 |
2020-2021 |
2019-2020 |
2018-2019 |
2017-2018 |
2016-2017 |
2015-2016 |
2014-2015 |
2013-2014 |
2012-2011 |
2010-2011 |
2022-2023
Maker Technology Integration Progam
22-23-11-JS
School: South Colchester Academy
Grade: 7-12
Employer: CCRCE
Project Coordinator: Anthony Cormier
The ‘Maker Technology Integration Program’ was designed to increase the variety of ‘maker’ technology and materials available to students at South Colchester Academy through integration not only into technology classes but throughout all subject areas to meet curriculum outcomes. In addition, there will be an after-school club to explore the technology further and will allow us to expand the ‘school store’ concept that we started at the end of the last school year. Students will use / explore 3D printers, sublimation, laser engravers, heat presses, button makers, and much more.
STEM Education Probeware
22-23-01-JS
School: Drumlin Heights Consolidated
Grade: 7-12
Employer: TCRCE
Project Coordinator: James Benham
My name is Jamie Benham and I am a science, mathematics and technology teacher at Drumlin Heights Consolidated School in the TRCE. Over the last tow years, I have been studying technology-based strategies and tools that can be used to create learning experiences to pull student learning into the 21st Century. I believe, providing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opportunities for DHCS students, will more effectively prepare them for today, tomorrow and beyond. Today’s students use technology in their daily lives, but many high schools have outdated labs and activities. The integration of modern probeware was purchased by this grant to bolster interest in STEM education and careers. PASCO’s hands-on probeware connects students directly to STEM concepts with classroom technology such as sensors, interfaces and data collection and analysis software. Inquiry-based learning opportunities infused with probeware tools will help bolster student achievement and engagement.
Outdoor Education Scooter Program
22-23-32-JS
School: Barrington Municipal High School
Grade: 7-12
Employer: TCRCE
Project Coordinator: Kevin Holland
The BMHS Outdoor Education: Scooter Program will provide students the opportunity to learn basic scooter skills and safety training. The program will cover several topics such as, basic parts and function of the scooter, safety gear, riding on different terrains, road hand signals, defensive driving awareness and basic scooter park maneuvres. Students will experience and practice safe riding on school campus, local roadways and at the local skateboard/scooter park. The goals are to increase outdoor education opportunities for students while removing/reducing barriers that may exclude some students from participating outside of school. It also creates an inclusive environment and non-competitive physical activity within the school for all students.
Linking Mi'kmaq Traditions and 21st Century Technologies
21-22-53-JS
School: North Queens Community School
Grade: 7-12
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Alex Sulis
Project Team Members: Julie Ramey, Phil Prendergast, Andrea Rhodenzier
Our project of connecting Mi'kmaq traditions with 21st century technologies is to help bring cultural connections between the school and the community. We will be using the making of canoe paddles and leather work to link these together. The goal is for students to learn how to make a paddle or leather project with 21st technologies while learning about the Mi'Kmaq's traditional ways of making them. Students' learning will be done through a cross curricular model. They will make their projects within the technology education lab or art room and then learn about the cultural connections through community members and within their classrooms of social studies, Mi'kmaq studies or land based learning.
2021-2022
Painting with Water
21-22-50-JS
School: North Queens Community School
Grade: 7-10
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Julie Ramey
Painting with Water” speaks of the importance of water as nourishment, protection and life for all. Water is the first medicine of the Mi’kmaq people and so should be protected and honoured. This project allows Visual Arts and Land Based Learning students the opportunity to complete their coursework on the water, with water, while exploring the traditional teachings about water with local knowledge keepers. In addition, students will experience ‘plein air painting’ which naturally lends itself to the development of observation skills, an appreciation for nature and the exploration of important connections that we have with the gifts given by the Creator. The entire project will culminate with an art installation showcasing student art work.
Land Based Learning
21-22-52-JS
School: North Queens Community School
Grade: 7-11
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Phillip Prendergast
Project Team Members: Natalie McMaster, Andrea Rhodenizer, Tyler Dorey
Land-based learning is in its second year of implementation at NQCS. It has evolved into a new junior high elective that will help create opportunities for students to connect to the land. The land is a provider; it provides knowledge and sustenance, and if opportunities are created to connect to the land, we can better understand the reciprocal relationship that exists in nature and our place in it. The PDAF grant will be used to purchase winter coats, boots, and rain gear to support equity by ensuring each student is warm, dry, and comfortable while being on the land.
2020-2021
L'ordre du bon temps
20-21-01-JS
School: Ecole secondaire de clare
Grade: 7-12
Employer: CSAP
Project Coordinator: Ian LeBlanc
Nous avons recu le materiel pour batir notre cuisine a l'exterieur. Nous avons ete capable de travalller avec quelques membres de noire personnel (enseignant et soutien), plusieurs de nos eleves ainsi que quelques membres de la communaute afin d'apprendre a propos de la marche a suivre avec la fumaison/cuisson de poisson, viandes, etc. Nous avons reussi a developper leurs donnaissances ainsi que leurs competences en ce qui concerne divers processus de methodes traditionnelles de la cuisson ainsi que de la conservation des aliments (et leur raison d'etre). Nous inserons ses nouvelles connaissances/competences avec 2 des cours presentement dans ma charge en 21-22...Aliments et Nutrition 12 et bien sOr le cours d'Etudes acadiennes 11. De plus, je travaille de pres avec mon collegue pour le cours de sciences de base 11 et surtout avec les RAS en lien avec les reactions chimiques. Je vois plusieurs liens avec des organismes communautaires dans le futur proche (ex: congres mondial acadien en 2024) afin de voir a creer un endroit ou vivre des experiences similaires au passe.
Female Outdoor and Adventure Education Skills
20-21/25/JS
School: Lawrencetown Education Centre
Grade: 7-12
Employer: AVRCE
Project Coordinator: Jennifer Bishop
Lawrencetown Education Centre (LEC) is an experiential learning environment within the AVRCE. LEC added female students to the Jr. High in the 2019-2020 school year. Up to this time, the Jr. High was made up of only male students. An integral component of the LEC programming is building skills, confidence and competence through outdoor education. In order for this to be successful for all students, there is a need for more outdoor equipment that would fit female students in Jr/ Sr High. The equipment obtained from this grant will increase their comfort in attempting different outdoors pursuits and will support more success.
LEC Guitar Club Abstract
20-21/26/JS
School: Lawrencetown Education Centre
Grade: 6-12
Employer: AVRCE
Project Coordinator: David Ross
Lawrencetown Education Center is an experiential learning environment within AVRCE with a staff of 7 supporting 33 at-risk youth from grades 6 to 12. LEC has never had a music program or an opportunity for students to experience playing a musical instrument. Allowing students to experience and express themselves musically will allow them a new outlet to achieve curriculum outcomes through reflections, song creation and shared peer experiences. Music has been used as an option for students to use in their classwork but it has largely been independent and student-led. With an opportunity to develop a guitar club at LEC, we would be able to reduce the current economic barrier our students face while providing a creative and confidential space for students to express their emotions in a pro-social way.
Creating a Sustainable School Forest
20-21/29/JS
School: St. Mary's Bay Academy
Grade: 7-12
Employer: TCRCE
Project Coordinator: Sean Merrett
Project Team Members: Arhhur Hatt, Steve Andrews, Sarah Nielsen
St. Mary’s Bay Academy has partnered to have a forest management plan created and designed for our school forest. At the core of this plan is the student learning experience, and as a member of a forest cooperative we are working to enhance and create experiences that are reflective of the local culture. Tis project is involving students in the sustainable management of the school woodlands and includes activities such as forest restoration, recreation and creation of a sustainable and experimental value chain.
Devils Digs
20-21/30/JS
School: Island View High School
Grade: 9-12
Employer: HRCE
Project Coordinator: Lindsay Moore
Project Team Members: Michelle Munt, Adrianne Kelloway, Graham Tuck
This PDAF grant will enable Island View High School, (through the hard work of our Learning Centre students) to create items that students and staff can design, make, distribute and wear with pride! These items will be created through the process of screen printing and cricut vinyl, as well as using a button press to design buttons for special occasions. Our students will have opportunities to practice vocational tasks and technology skills through making the products, math skills (working with money, measurement and taking inventory), and organizational skills. They will also be gaining valuable social and communication skills by working with peers and staff. This grant has been our start-up fund and we now have the ability to become completely self-sufficient by making promotional items in house. As a new school (opened in 2018) that is working on building community and recognition - this will have a major impact on many of the students and families here at Island View.
The Kalediscope Project
20-21/35/JS
School: Lockview High School
Grade: 9-12
Employer: HRCE
Project Coordinator: Diana Burtt
Project Team Members: Phil Goora, Ian Carmichael
This project involves building a music library of music written by underrepresented composers (who are women, people of colour, indigenous, young people, and members of the LGBTQ community.) The music selected would also align with our specific curriculum outcomes and be selected based on the promotion of engaging the students, compositional creativity and its cultural significance. Due to COVID-19 our music program is not participating in regular yearly activities. With this funding, we will be able to share this collection of music by recording our journey. We will purchase basic recording equipment for our music room. This equipment will allow students to create recordings of this diverse music and to share our improvement in the music program.
Outdoor Educational Experience
20-21/39/JS
School: Bayview Community School and New Germany Rural High School
Grade: 7-12
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Jeremy Dunn
Project Team Members: Geoff Marshall, Sam Durford
Bayview Community School has undertaken outdoor education to a new level with the new protocols and guidelines placed on staff and students due to COVID. We have developed outdoor classrooms and teaching spaces around the school area and we are looking at building more of an outdoor experience for our students. The goal of the Outdoor Educational Experience Program (OEEP) is to get students camping, hikingand more opportunities to get on the water. The South Shore area has so much to offer with Keji, Mahone Island Conservation land, the dynamite connector trail, river ridge commons, and the many lakes, rivers and ocean access around us. There are a lot of students in our building that do not have the opportunity to experience the natural resources around them. The first plan will to take the grade nine students on a hike to a local camp site on the ocean. We will be using the backpacks, tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads. The students will be learning the skills of trip planning, leave no trace behind principals, as well as group dynamics and leadership skills.
The SAERC Coding Integration Project (SKIP)
0-21/57/JS
School: Strait Area Education and Recreation Centre
Grade: 9-12
Employer: SRCE
Project Coordinator: Justin Penny
Project Team Members: Jim Ralph, Erin MacDonald, Tracy MacIassac
The SAERC Koding Integration Project (SKIP) allows students to complete complex engineering and coding tasks at varying ability levels using the latest generation of Lego Robotics products. These kits engage students in a myriad of different builds that involve them in problem solving, teamwork and technological components. The SKIP project helps students to understand, practice and demonstrate outcomes in several subjects including Integrated Science, Physics, Mathematics, Exploring Technology, Production Technology, Design and Language Arts while keeping in mind the increasing importance of coding in education and employment. Finally, the SKIP Project will help students practice their social skills and engage in extracurricular activity by participating in a Robotics Club that will be meeting on a regular basis.
Live Streaming Mobile Operation
20-21/65/JS
School: Northeast Kings Educatin Centre
Grade: 6-12
Employer: AVRCE
Project Coordinator: Adam Conner
This project is all about broadcasting! We at Northeast Kings Education Centre have been working hard to bring the community into our school virtually during this challenging year. Our broadcast team has been broadcasting sports, graduations, and school events. The support from the NSTU has allowed us to grow our broadcasting capabilities to include a mobile setup of industry standard equipment. This will allow us to begin a collaborative project with the community in 2021/2022 to bring the power of live streaming broadcasts to their events as well as our own. We are excited for the opportunities that this provides.
2019-2020
Winter in the Forest
19-20/19/JS
School: St. Mary’s Bay Academy
Grade: 7-12
Employer: TCRCE
Project Coordinator: Sean Merrett
Project Team Members: Arthur Hatt, Steven Andrews, Sarah Neilsen
Winter in the forest is a project to connect traditionally classroom-based classes to outdoor winter activities in the St. Mary’s Bay Academy Woodlands. Teaching lessons in our 80 acre- forested school grounds during the winter presented challenges of transportation during cold winter weather, snow and ice conditions. With the purchase of snowshoes and a winter warming hot tent as an outdoor classroom we will now be able to use the full extent of our woodlands during the winter season. One specific connection we have created for all grades and subjects is the production of maple syrup on our property.
The Art Practice Archive
19-20/21/JS
School: Oxford Regional Education Centre
Grade: 7-12
Employer: CCRCE
Project Coordinator: Mathew Aldred
The Art Practice Archive is a project to build an online archive of art student works, using student best practice to model a visual inquiry based approach to art. Students at any school will be able to learn from close observation of their peers at work. Using high quality video photography, students will document their process and these videos will be archived for easy access on the YouTube channel “The Art Practice Archive”. The videos can then be used in class assignments, and for students to access freely as part of any blended visual art classroom.
Outdoor Learning Space Project
19-20/22/JS
School: Glace Bay High School
Grade: 9-12
Employer: CBRCE
Project Coordinator: Aaron Andrews
Project Team Members: Michael Kelly, John White
For the past 8 weeks my Visual Art 10, 11 and 12 students and I have been busily working away at the project. We spend 2-3 classes per 8 day cycle on site working at various aspects of the development. The brush and other debris were cleared from the space and we took an asset inventory of the space (terrain, vegetation, site-lines etc.). We developed a plot plan as to where to build the physical structure and the surrounding green space. The trail has been cleared and some gravel is down. The main structure is ready for the roof trusses to be installed starting next week. The armor stone is being place around the site for seating and for aesthetic appeal. We have come together as a pretty good team and things are moving along very nicely. I have a number of students documenting the progress and I will send you a picture file once they compile the photos.
Survive the Wild
19-20/42/JS
School: Cape Richmond Education Centre/Academy
Grade: 9-12
Employer: SRCE
Project Coordinator: Alexander Fraser
Project Team Members: Lois Landry, Jason MacLean and Gina Stanley
"Survive the Wild" is a program offered to grade 9-12 students at Richmond Education Centre/Academy which allows students to discover year-round survival skills. It is an inclusive program which gives all students a chance to succeed by creating learning opportunities in an outdoor environment with hands-on, tactile activities. The program will include activities which outline the importance of layering, packing a backpack, how to transport an injured person, building a shelter, starting a fire, being conscious of environmental impact and how to use S.O.A. P (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) notes. Outcomes will promote teamwork, leadership and critical thinking skills.
Broadcasting and Recording Studio
19-20/47/JS
School: Northeast Kings Education Centre
Grade: 6-12
Employer: AVRCE
Project Coordinator: Adam Conner
Education Centre, with the assistance of the NSTU will be undergoing an ambitious project to bring a state-of-the-art video broadcasting studio to their school. This studio will allow the students to live stream school news and announcements while learning professional, industry standard practices used in broadcasting. This project includes the use of studio cameras, microphone equipment, internet-based live streaming, green screen technologies, lighting equipment, and more. The project is slated to take place during the Spring of 2020 and be fully operational by September of 2020.
Reflechir avant d’Agirl! L’importance du design
19-20/50/JS
School: Ecole secondaire de clare
Grade: 9-12
Employer: CSAP
Project Coordinator: Philip Meuse
On retrouve plusieurs projets de construction de divers genres de bateaux, de serres, de cabanes, etc dans nos cours. Toutefois, le dilemme avec nos jeunes est qu’en plus de ne pas voir les liens entre les RAS enseignés et leur réalité, ils sautent tout de suite à la fabrication sans vouloir s’attarder au processus de conception et du design. En exposant les élèves aux outils qui permettent d’entreprendre les étapes préliminaries de la construction et de la fabrication, nous pourrons leur enseigner les techniques du (design) de divers construction. En se procurant l’imprimante laser 3D (Glowforge), les élèves seront munis d’un outil qui leur permettrait de pouvoir réaliser le design et la fabrication de leurs constructions à l’échelle (maquette) avant de réaliser leurs projects actuels.
Assassin’s Creed – Discovery Tour
19-20/55/JS
School: Centre scolaire de la Rive-sud
Grade: 7-12
Employer: CSAP
Project Coordinator: Martin Deschamps
Grâce aux fonds d’aide à l’élaboration des programmes (FAEP) du NSTU, j’ai pu faire l’achat d’ordinateurs “gamer”, ce qui m’a donné l’opportunité d’installer gratuitement (don de Ubisoft) le jeu sérieux Assassin’s Creed - Discovery Tour (La tour de découverte). Mes élèves auront la chance de visiter l’Égypte ancienne tout en jouant à ce jeu sérieux (non violent) . Cet outil viendra appuyer mes leçons et permettra à mes élèves de compléter jusqu’à 75 missions dans ce même monde. Il agira comme un musée virutel. De plus, le jeu sérieux rendra la matière plus engageante pour mes élèves. Avec ce jeu sérieux et l’utilisation des TIC, ce nouvel outil me sera très utile en salle de classe. Il me permettra d’innover dans la présentation de mes activités en lien avec les modules intégrés de la littératie du CSAP.
2018-2019
NGRHS 'Learning On Two Wheels'
18-19/03/JS
School: New Germany Rural High School
Grade: 7-12
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Nicole Gosling
Project Team Members: Mike Howlett, Kathryn Creaser, Geoff Marshall
The Learning on Two Wheels project has included the purchase of a class set of bicycles, safety equipment, storage, and training. Several teachers and leadership students have completed the Ecology Action Centre’s Making Tracks program for leaders. As these students help other students learn to cycle, as part of their physical education and after school programming, the bicycles have also been used to support a geocaching and navigation unit. Finally, grade 9 students are also using the bicycles to complete service learning projects, such as raking leaves and piling wood for elderly, in the local area.
Pre-College Program
18-19/35/JS
School: École Beau Port
Grade: 8-12
Employer: CSAP
Project Coordinator: René Samson
The Pre-College Program offers accredited distance and online courses from reputable universities, as well as modern computer related skills necessitating high performance computer hardware and software, such as graphic design, video editing, sound editing and computer programming. Serious students will have the opportunity to begin exploring any particular career path with state of the art hardware/software, access to any field of study, as well as the appropriate resources and networking in order to channel any particular hobby or interest into a viable career path. To this end, the Pre-College Workspace aims to promote creativity, innovation and collaboration among students.
Technology, Health and Wellness
18-19/51/JS
School: West Kings District High School
Grade: 9-12
Employer: AVRCE
Project Coordinator: Janet Balcom
Project Team Members: Sara Harris, Heather Davis
Technology, Health, and Wellness’ goal is to empower students to contribute solutions to issues of food scarcity, nutrition, sustainability in farming, and mental wellness and overall health. With a S.T.E.A.M. approach and school-wide invitation to participate, mini projects will be implemented over a multi-year timeframe. First is Hungry Bowls: students as artists sculpt pottery for a gala auction night in support of nourishing community. As filmmakers and photographers, visual artists, musicians, and actors, students will capture that process, and documentary makers will connect with farmers, agencies, and immigrant newcomers about food accessibility locally. Mental Wellness is the next mini project.
Finding Our Way: Exploring map making and navigation at NGRHS
18-19/52/JS
School: New Germany Rural High School
Grade: 7-12
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Geoff Marshall
Project Team Members: Philip Prendergast, Nicole Gosling and Jeff Rhodenizer
This project aims to increase student comfort and awareness with navigational tools such as maps, compasses, and handheld GPS units. It will impact students in multiple subjects and across several grade levels. Activities such as orienteering and geocaching, while conducted in physical education, lay the groundwork for cross-curricular educaching and adventure style races in other subjects. In addition, GPS units will support geospatial data collection and the creation of maps to be used in courses such as Science 10, Forestry 12, and Global Geography 12. Overall, this project provides students with hands on experiences linked to curriculum outcomes.
The Opus Project
18-19/66/JS
School: Strait Area Education-Recreation Centre
Grade: 9-12
Employer: SRCE
Project Coordinator: Jim Ralph
The Opus Project is a new and innovative approach to music education with a focus on building and strengthening pro-social environments and activities at the high school level. The project will also promote and implement cross-curricular activities and projects which will include drama, film and video, communications, language arts and physical education. The Opus Project will use rhythm section instruments such as piano, the drum kit, bass, guitar and ukulele to assist students in developing positive skills and attitudes towards music and music education, its role in and affect on culture and community, and personal growth through the arts. Non-traditional notation systems such as the Nashville number system in conjunction with traditional methods will provide a fun, inclusive and engaging approach to music education for students at any experience level.
Peers & Peace
18-19/69/JS
School: Amherst Regional High School
Grade: 9-12
Employer: CCRCE
Project Coordinator: Kathy MacKay
Project Team Members: Wade Van Snick
Amherst Regional High School Guidance Department will be launching a ‘Peers 4 Peace’ program in the 2019-20 school year. The overall goal of this program is to explicitly teach the skills involved in effective communication. The ‘Peers 4 Peace’ program will empower a core group of high school students with real-time skills, including communication, listening, and problem-solving. Conflict resolution and personal well-being will be addressed through the teaching of peaceful vocabulary. A focal point of the program will be a Peace Table which will be used to facilitate conversation and communication. The Peace Table will be designed in such a way that it will act as a visual reminder of the essential vocabulary that students will use to teach, model and practice the stages of effective communication. The Peace Table will reflect inclusivity as it will incorporate the colors of the LGBTQ flag in its design.
Zones: The Next Step
18-19/78/JS
School: Springhill Junior High School
Grade: 7-9
Employer: CCRCE
Project Coordinator: Susan A. MacDonald
Project Team Members: Bernadine Conron, Ryan Oulton and Robyn Estaboons
Zones: The Next Step is designed to provide a space that can be used to teach self-regulation using four concrete colored zones representing the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience. Zones would provide immediate strategic support for students to be able to recognize when they are becoming less regulated and to develop the knowledge and skills to manage their feelings. The goals of this project would be: Increased student engagement, reduced classroom conflict, improved student time on task and increased student self-advocacy and self-awareness.
2017-2018
Underwater Robotics: A Science and Engineering Experiential Learning Opportunity
17-18/10/JS
School: Bridgewater Junior High School and Park View Education Centre
Grade: 7-12
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Byron Butt
The underwater ROV (remote operated vehicle) program, developed by MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education – https://www.marinetech.org/) organization provides for high interest learning activities that engage students in the creative and collaborative engineering process of designing, building, testing, redesigning, rebuilding and retesting. Additionally since there are actual real life jobs in remote operated vehicles off the coast of Nova Scotia, with the oil and gas field, there is a real life incentive for students to learn such skills. In this extracurricular program, students will earn about electronics, buoyancy, hydraulics, control systems; they will develop skills in waterproofing electrical wires and motors, the design process, and computer coding, to name a few.
2016-2017
Enhancing Performance with Notetaking for Students with Physical, Learning and Sensory Disabilities through New Age Assistive Technology
16-17/01/JS
School: Hebbville Academy
Grades: 7-12
Employer: SSRCE
Project Coordinator: Stacey Kosiba
Team Members: Andrea Conrad, Cindy Kowalyk, Barbara Welsford
Note-taking in class is an extremely difficult process for many students. Those with physical disabilities (i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Juvenile Arthritis, Muscular Dystrophy, etc) who cannot hold the pen are faced with immediate and obvious barriers to this daily task. This project will benefit students with LD, students with physical disabilities, students with ADHD, and top academic students preparing for post secondary by learning how to effectively take notes during lectures or classes. In fact all students are able to benefit from the use of notes captured with the Livescribe Pen. Audio files can be transferred to a learning management system for review by all students, handwriting can be converted to text and shared in a learning management system with easy access by all students to have the notes read aloud through text to speech, drawings can be labelled and referred to easily using the pen on the original note paper, students who have a note taker can review their notes independently on the iPad in a format that is accessible to them. Students who are blind or visually impaired can access the digitized notes using a screen reader or with screen magnification and/or text to speech. Students being taught to take notes will learn the skills required to be effective as a note-taker at the post secondary level. They also will have an opportunity to access the notes themselves for reference and review them while at the same time enhancing their learning. This technology will also strengthen study skills, independent learning skills and organization of many different students. This project will include the purchase 12 LiveScribe Pens to distribute in various Junior High and High Schools in the SSRSB that have students with LD, physical disabilities and other learning needs. We will also purchase packs of the specialized paper and ink cartridge refills to outfit the project for 6 months. We will train key staff and students on effective note-taking and test the process of utilizing this assistive technology to enhance note-taking and sharing of those notes in various classroom settings.
Droneography
16-17/10/JS
School: Amherst Regional High School
Grades: 9-12
Employer: CCRCE
Project Coordinator: Scott Coleman
Team Members: Erika Carruthers, Stephanie Mizuik, Kelvin Gould, Joel Doucette
This grant will help to develop a “Dronography” unit in Communication Technology 11 and Film and Video 12. The concept is to create an opportunity to truly motivate students by using this emerging technology to record school and community activities and to celebrate the successes at Amherst Regional High School while reinforcing STEM concepts. The core instructional outcomes will be built into the technology classes and these students will then be scheduled to manage the recording of events within the school and community. Motivating students to attend, as well as engage in their learning is the key to a truly successful public school education. Dronography will be a fantastic tool to motivate, excite and educate!
High Altitude Ballooning
16-17/68/JS
School: Annapolis West Education Centre
Grade: 8-12
Employer: AVRCE
Project Coordinator: Derick Smith
Project Team Members: Jeff Hefting, Alphonse Penny
The idea of exploring space has always captivated students, but until recently they could only do this from the ground. Now with the help of High Altitude Ballooning and affordable microcontrollers, students can record meaningful data on par with experiments done by major space programs. The problem solving required for this type of a project is very challenging and students must learn to work as a team in order to be successful. So far, we have programmed several sensors to measure aspects of the flight but filming the curvature of the earth, with the darkness of space above, was worth it alone.
2015-2016
Accessing Multiple OSs & Devices for Persons with Disabilities
15-16/16/JS
School: South Colchester Academy
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Lauchie MacKinnon
The technology accessibility project for students with disabilities is designed to have students have a basic understanding of multiple Operating Systems. Students should be able to use the basic accessibility features on any device they log into to access basic needs such as surfing the web and leisure activities. As these systems proliferate, it is important that students gain exposure to ensure success after graduation so they can use a variety of devices for recreation, and employment.
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Hitting the Bull’s Eye
15-16/19/JS
School: Pugwash District High School
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Dan MacDonald
Team Member: Terry Ryan
Educators are constantly seeking ways to improve student motivation, attention, behavior, attendance and focus. Archery is a way to improve all the for mentioned student attributes. By adding archery to our school’s PE program and after school extracurricular activities list, we have the ability to inspire students to find a passion for outdoor activities and the link to life outside of school. It also enables students to experience an activity where safety is paramount which allows students to understand the importance of rule and procedure following. In a rural community, we have a large number of students who are interested in hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor activities. With that said, these students are being underserved in traditional classes and Athletic Programs. By first delivering this program in our classes, we will introduce the club aspect to allow more students become involved with extracurricular life at PDHS. Within neighboring schools and communities who already have Archery gear and the program established, they have set up interschool competitions which allow students to connect and compete with other students in Cumberland County. The really great thing about the Archery in schools program and Archery in general is that it is for all ages, any skill level and can be taught/learned from the Para-sports technique. This will allow any child with a physical disability to actively partake in our program.
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Outdoor Classroom and Supplies
15-16/32/JS
School: Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School
Grade: 5-12
School Board: Strait Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Brian Boudreau, Mary Beth McCarron, Greg Hadley, Jerome Stewart and Tanya Tobin
The project we are trying to promote is an outdoor classroom. By purchasing some outdoor equipment we will be able to expose students to outdoor survival and life skills. This project hopes to inspire students to connect with the outdoors, valuing their local environment and moving them towards engaged stewardship of their communities. This opportunity would encourage students to think about nature in their everyday lives and create a holistic educational opportunity. It is hard not to be engaged in a multi-sensory environment, there are opportunities for a variety of cross curricular links as multiple staff members are certified with their Outdoor Education Certificates.
Once materials are purchased, students will begin to have new opportunities to connect with their classroom curriculums. Opportunities for students to connect to their outdoor environment are limited. Outdoor classrooms offer hands on learning that is beneficial to those students who may not work well with pen and paper in the classroom. Working outdoors allows students to readily build ideas using their senses and abilities to absorb and take in new information. They learn to appreciate nature and develop an awareness and appreciation for the natural areas in their own communities.
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FUN-ctional Fitness
15-16/60/JS
School: Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School
Grades: 9-12
School Board: SRSB
Project Coordinator: Mike Stewart
Team Members: Mary Beth McCarron, Jamie Lawlor-MacInnis, Keegan Vosman
With the greater demands on alternate settings to teach physical education and limitations to school budgets, the Physical Education Department at Dr. John Hugh Gillis is looking forward to implementing our project, FUN-ctional Fitness. Through functional training we will use FUN-ctional Fitness to help achieve the fitness outcomes in our grades 9-12 Physical Education Curriculum.
Functional Training are movements, or exercises, that improve a person’s ability to complete their daily activities or to achieve a specific goal. It involves multiple joint movements through different planes of motion using suspension training, bands, body weight resistance and other functional training material that would complement these movements. Our goal is to not only help our students improve their overall fitness, but allow for student success in improved motivation, self-esteem and confidence to be Active For Life using functional training techniques.
The foundation of our program is based upon safety for students and their ability to have success. FUN-ctional Fitness is gender neutral, allowing all students to improve as an individual. We will be offering additional sessions in the form of after-school programs, hoping to work with the school’s Health Centre to improve physical fitness with our student population.
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The Phitbit Challenge
15-16/74/JS
School: Parrsboro Regional High School
Grades: 8,12
School Board: Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Karlene Morris
Team Members: Chara Ross, Susan Stevenson
This project is designed to capitalize on the information provided by Fitbits to motivate Grade 8 students to become more physically active, engaged in the analysis of data, and better able to set SMART goals for personal growth. Students will wear Fitbits to monitor physical activity and responses to exercise. In math class the data will be graphed to look for trends and ways to improve fitness. Math 12 students will further analyze the data to determine whether or not there is a correlation between fitness levels, sleep patterns, attendance, school performance, and other factors identified in the information gathered.
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2014-2015
100 Years: 100 Stories – A Multimedia Centre for BJSHS
14-15/17/JS
School: Bridgewater Jr. Sr. High School
Grade: 7-12
School Board: South Shore Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Erin Dunn
Team Members: Denise McKean, Larry Knapp, Adam McConnell
"In 2014, Bridgewater Jr Sr High School celebrates 100 years of public education on York Street. To commemorate this special event, we are proposing the development of a multimedia centre for students to create a variety of documentaries about the alumni, former staff, building site and current students and staff of BJSHS. The grant will allow us to develop a multi-purpose digital arts space with a green screen, lighting, photography backdrops, black box theatre, and a sound recording space. Our year long project ,“100 Years; 100 Stories”, will bring together our short videos, songs, and digital stories in a May Film Festival open to the public and this Multimedia centre will be the central location for this work."
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Enhancing Collaborative Cross Cultural Language and Literacy Engagement between French and English Students, Schools and School boards in Nova Scotia.
14-15/42/JS
School: Lockeport Regional High
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Tri-County Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Tiffiney Kennedy
Team Members: Stephen Walsh, Amanda Cooke
Lockeport Regional High School will be working collaboratively with students and staff from Centre Scolaire de la Rive Sud to explore a variety of literacy based enhancement projects using the iPad apps and communication abilities. Such projects as: debates, literature circles, poetry readings, creating digital eBooks and sharing those eBooks between students, grades, schools and school boards to compare cultures, insights, language and creativity, peer reviews, research and data collection, will be examples of work used to implement this project. This project intends to enhance engagement of students by using the three General Curriculum outcomes: Reading and Viewing, Writing and Representing and Speaking and Listening. We also intend to employ Universal Design for Learning strategies to represent information in various ways and also offer all students opportunities to show what they know in multiple formats. Our goal is to connect with neighboring communities to collaborate, share, discuss, and evaluate iPad projects completed in class. Enhancing collaborative technological access by using iPads in the classroom will impact learning across all curriculum in the Nova Scotia Public School Program.
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Amélioration collaborative : Engagement de la langue et de la littératie entre les élèves, les écoles et les conseils scolaires anglais et français dans la Nouvelle Écosse
(Enhancing Collaborative Cross Cultural Language and Literacy Engagement between French and English Students, Schools and School Boards in NS)
14-15/48/JS
École : Centre Scolaire de la Rive-Sud
Grade : 7-12
School Board : CSAP
Project Coordinator : Jilien Beaton
Team Members : Laura Connors, Lise Petrie, Alex Godbold
Centre Scolaire de la Rive-Sud travaillera en collaboration avec les étudiants (7e- 12e) et le personnel de Lockeport Regional High School pour explorer une variété de projets d'amélioration d'alphabétisation utilisant les applications iPad et les capacités de communication. Notre projet vise à renforcer l'engagement des élèves à l'aide des résultats du programme d'études générales: la lecture, l’écriture et la représentation et la communication orale puis la conception universelle. Notre objectif est de se connecter avec les communautés voisines de collaborer, partager, discuter et évaluer les projets achevés iPad fait en classe.
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Imprimante 3D “à distance”
14-15/66/JS
School: École secondaire du Sommet
Grade: 7, 8, 9, 11
School Board: CSAP
Project Co-ordinator: Stéphane Couillard
Team Member: René Bouillon
L'impression en 3 dimensions est un aspect important de la 3e révolution industrielle de Rifkin. À l’École virtuelle du CSAP, nous sommes toujours à l’affut de nouvelles approches qui permettront aux élèves qui suivent des cours en ligne d’avoir une expérience mémorable. Dans le contexte du cours de Design 11 qui sera offert en ligne pour la première fois au semestre d’automne 2015, les élèves pourront créer des objets tridimensionnels en utilisant un logiciel spécialisé en ligne. Les objets seront ensuite imprimés avec une imprimante de type MakerBot et le processus d’impression sera diffusé en direct dans YouTube.
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2013-2014
Let’s Play Ball! A Grade 10 Venture at R.E.C.A.
13-14/58/JS
School: Richmond Education Centre/Academy
Grade: 9-10
School Board: Strait Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Tommy Samson
A baseball field restoration project will be completed by grade 10 students in the O2 program at Richmond Education Centre. Within this project, students will learn about project planning & development, service learning, community involvement and active citizenship. This project is a joint effort between grade 10 students & several community groups. It will include an infield retrofit as well as the construction of two new dugouts (with benches) and a bleacher stand. All designs will be approved by an engineer. A focus will be placed on: safety; active citizenship; and building community!
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3D Printers
13-14/68/JS
School: South Colchester Academy
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Sarah Deveau
“Knowing mathematics is “doing mathematics” – Curriculum document for PreCal. Mathematics is more than just a collection of skills and concepts; it includes methods of investigating and reasoning. Throughout this project students will be exposed to the technology of a 3D printer to as to increase the amount of constructed mathematical understandings of key topics addressed throughout high school mathematics courses. The 3D printers will be used to integrate ideas from algebra and geometry with 3D graphical representations. This visualization and tangible approach offered through the use of a 3D printer affords more students greater access to more mathematics.
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Dragon Observatory
13-14/73/JS
School: Lockview High School
Grade: 9-12
School Board: Halifax Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Vanessa Turner
Team Members: Carla Cooper, Jay Thompson, Jason Ralph, Ian Carmichael
Lockview is one of the few high schools in the province which offers an Astronomy 12 course. We are also a 9-12 high school thus offering the Science 9 curriculum, which contains a unit entitled Space Exploration. The Dragon Observatory involves the construction of a small (10’ x 10’ with 10’ overhang structure) observatory (including telescope and camera) on Lockview’s property. The construction of the observatory will involve mainly the Production Technology and Design courses.
With the construction of an observatory at Lockview, Astronomy 12 students will be able to more easily participate in evening celestial viewings, bringing a more hands-on and experiential understanding of celestial bodies. Both Science 9 and Astronomy 12 students will be able to participate in Lunar, and possibly Solar, observations. Communication Technology students will be able to add and learn techniques used in Astro-imaging. This observatory will also allow the Astronomy 12 students to become resident experts, and do outreach to our community.
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2012-2013
Breton Education Centre Alternative Training Facility
12-13/39/JS
School: Breton Education Centre
Grade: 9
School Board: Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Stephen Kearney
The alternative training facility we are creating at Breton Education Centre (B.E.C.) contains top notch golf equipment, as well as a putting green, and driving range. This facility is housed within the school, and it will be available to students at appropriate times during the day, along with supervised times after school hours. This facility will provide an opportunity for ALL young people, including “at risk” youth, to be in an adult supervised, safe environment, and to be active and to socialize with other young people, at no cost to them. The facility will offer young people a unique opportunity to be introduced to the sport of golf, at no cost. The recreation potential with the golf centre will go a long way towards getting our young people into more active lifestyles, in hopes of making active living part of their daily lives.
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Growing A ‘Fresh’ Start from the Ground Up
12-13/34/JS
School: Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School
Grade: 9-12
School Board: Tri County Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Derek Lesser
Team Members: Michelle Hieghton, Todd Wallace, Maryse LeBlanc
YCMHS will use this grant to grow fruit trees (Apple and Pear) around the perimeter of our school property. This will give our students hands on experience with planting trees and allow them to watch them grow, blossom and produce food. The trees will also provide food to help with our breakfast program and can help other breakfast programs in our area. The trees will provide shelter in the winter months because our school is located in a field that is known for heavy snow drifts. There are many curriculum related goals of this project.
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Vote To Promote – Raising Student Engagement and Achievement in Math
12-13/62/JS
School: Shelburne Regional High School
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Tri-County Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Carmen Anderson
Team Members: Andrew Blades, Sarah Flemming, Jessica Nickerson, Ryan Peterson
At Shelburne Regional High School, teachers have collaborated and brainstormed ideas to devise a plan to improve overall student engagement and achievement in Mathematics. The goal of this PDAF project is to implement interactive assessment technology in order to provide richer classroom discussions, more engaged students, and greater achievement overall. Students have increasingly been using technology both at home and at school. Within the classroom, we need something upbeat and fast paced to keep their attention so that they can learn. We need to provide students with an opportunity to explore the use of modern technology in their learning environment. The MimioVote Assessment System provides students with immediate feedback as it complements the province’s initiative of assessment FOR learning.
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Printing the Future (3D Printing)
12-13/81/JS
School: Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre/Academy
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Strait Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Bruce Miller
Team Members: Jamie Parsons, Andrew Clarey, Carolyn MacDonald
Our project, called “Printing the future” gives our school the exciting ability to purchase a 3D printer. 3D printers allow you to manufacture three-dimensional objects, which have been designed on a computer. This piece of technology will engage our students by allowing them to gain valuable technical skills, to be creative in a novel medium, and to meet outcomes from a variety of courses in new ways. It is our hope that by giving students access to a technology with so much potential , we will tap into their curiosity and drive their innovation.
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2011-2012
Tomber dans les pommes…électroniques
11-12/20/JS
School: École du Carrefour
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
Project Coordinator: Nathalie Costello
Team Members: Marlene Arseneau, Michel Collette
Tomber dans les pommes…électroniques est un projet innovateur qui permettra aux enseignants d’utiliser une tablette électronique à des fins pédagogiques.
Imaginez une salle de classe ou les murs n’existent plus, où même le ciel n’est plus une limite!!! Grâce au Ipad en salle de classe, c’est ce que les élèves et les enseignants pourront expérimenter.
Les tablettes seront un élément important lors de la planification des communautés d’apprentissage professionnel. Les enseignants devront inclure une partie technologie à leur planification et trouver une utilisation pour les Ipad. De plus, grâce au fonds d’assistance au développement des programmes, nos enseignants et nos élèves deviendront des pionniers de cette nouvelle technologie.
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Business Learning through Silk Screening and Sublimation
11-12/18/JS
School: Bridgetown Regional High School
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Annapolis Valley Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Jonathan Marshall
Team Members: Matt Marshall
At Bridgetown Regional High students will be engaging in basic business education through the small business of Silk Screening and Sublimation. Students will be responsible for the marketing and advertising of their small business and will be required to learn the skills for producing silk screened and sublimated products. The students will work with the BRHS student council to help fundraise for the student council, and in turn, learning the basic ins and outs of small business. Some of the work orders would include: Jersey’s for sports teams, T-shirts for clubs and committees, etc. The students will be responsible to consult with their potential clients and come up with design sketches. The students will see the product through the design stage for the final packaging and delivery of the requested product. Learning together, students will create a working community from which they will gain a better appreciation for and an understanding of the world of business.
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Mathematics Innovation through Technology
11-12/22/JS
School: West Kings District High
Grade: 9-12
School Board: Annapolis Valley Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: C. Therese Forsythe
Team Members: Tarryn Kennedy, Candace Davis, Jocelyn Morton
Mathematics classrooms, typically in the high school, have a wide diversity of students who sometimes struggle with the plethora of learning outcomes that are required for their courses. To assist in their learning - engagement is the key. When students are actively engaged in their own internal building of knowledge as they participate in classroom activities, they struggle less and learn more. This project seeks to increase the level of technology in the math classroom in order to increase the ability for student engagement activities. This project is not just about technology but about having the technology for effective integration involving real-world applications while applying these to the concepts in order to cover the outcomes. Technology is an embraced reality for students. In other words, with the millennial generation, learning with technology is their reality. By incorporating the vast abilities of the dynamic software into the math classroom, this project will be marrying the students’ abilities with technology and their learning of mathematics. It is this very idea that the project hopes to enhance the learning in the classes.
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Simulateur de Golf
11-12/56/JS
School: Ecole Secondaire de Clare
Grade: 8-12
School Board: Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial
Project Coordinator: Adrien Comeau
Le projet s’adresse aux nouveaux joueurs ainsi qu’aux joueurs saisonniers de golf. Le golf se joue durant les mois d’été mais on pourrait susciter l’intérêt à ce sport durant les mois d’hiver alors que le niveau d’activité physique est à sont plus bas. Avec l’aide des partenaires, on pourrait acquérir un simulateur de golf, des bâtons de pratique et des balles. Le simulateur va être utilisé comme équipement de pratique pour les nouvelles équipes de golf de l’école durant les mois d’hiver afin qu’elles soient prêtes pour les compétitions interscolaires. De plus les élèves qui ne feront pas partie de l’équipe de golf auraient la chance d’apprendre des rudiments du golf toute en vivant des résultats d’apprentissages de divers cours dans un environnement alternatif qui pourrait éventuellement leur être utile durant la saison estivale plus tard.
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2010-2011
Amélioration de la littératie au secondaire (liseuses électroniques)
10-11/50/JS
School: École acadienne de Pomquet
Grade: 7-12
School Board: Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
Project Coordinator: Kevin Shea
Team Members: Richard Marchand, Rémi Deveau
Ce projet a pour but d'améliorer la littératie en français au secondaire. La lecture comme activité ludique se fait très peu au secondaire. Ce fait nuit à la littératie. Le manque de ressources de lecture ludique est une cause de cette situation.
Ce projet vise à augmenter l'intérêt des étudiants à lire en français et par conséquent, le niveau de littératie. Les liseuses électroniques donneront accès à de multiples ressources de lecture ludiques dans un objet facile à manipuler. L'évaluation du projet se fera avec un journal de bord et par entrevues.
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2009-2010
National Archery in the Schools Program
09-10/41/EJS
School: Pictou Academy/Dr. Thomas McCulloch
Grade: 6-12
School Board: Chignecto-Central Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Shane Hampton
Team Members:
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is a program that promotes student education, physical education and participation in the life long sport of archery. The program’s focus is to provide International Style Target Archery training in physical education classes, grades 4-12. This grant will allow me to purchase equipment and certify teachers throughout the province to become basic archery instructors for their schools/communities. The ultimate goal of this program is to increase physical activity and provide a unique curricular experience for all participants, regardless of gender and/or age.
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2008-2009
Roméo et Juliette en Acadie
08-09/04/JS
School: Ecole secondaire de Par-en-Bas
School Board: CSAP Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Yvette d'Entremont
Team Members: Ginette Cottreau, Mouna Westergard, Gerald Muise
L'École secondaire de Par-en-Bas (Tusket) va monter et présenter la comédie musicale française Roméo et Juliette, de Gérard Presgurvic. Cette production, ayant déjà connu un énorme succès international, rassemblera au-delà de 60 élèves, travaillant auprès des enseignants, parents, choristes et membres de la communauté sur scène, à la régie, la sonorisation, l'éclairage, le chant, la danse et chorégraphie, la construction de décor, aux ateliers de voix et théâtre, la publicité et autres domaines. Ce projet rendra vivante la langue française pour les élèves, leur montrant qu'elle est toujours d'actualité. Cette expérience engendra un sens de solidarité entre élèves, enseignants et la communauté, s'étendant de l'Acadie jusqu'à la francophonie internationale.
L'École secondaire de Par-en-Bas (Tusket) will stage the highly successful and internationally acclaimed French musical Roméo et Juliette, written by Gérard Presgurvic. This production will feature over 60 students, working both on and off-stage alongside their teachers, parents, choir and community members in the cast, choir, dance troupe, choreography, sound and light, backstage and props, set design and construction, vocal and song workshops and publicity. Students will develop a better understanding of the importance, vibrancy and vitality of the French language as an integral part of today's society. The ultimate goal is to create a sense of solidarity among students, teachers, and surrounding community, reaching well beyond l'Acadie to international francophonie.
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Flatwater Canoeing and Water Safety
08-09/33/JS
School: St. Mary's Academy
School Board: Strait Regional School Board
Project Coordinator: Scott Hudson
Team Members: Marie Kennedy, Jim Keay, Patrick Duggan
Flat-water Canoeing and Water Safety will aid greatly in learning and understanding those physical education segments of the new grade 10 physical education curriculum that exists in the outdoor component of the curriculum. The project will be an ongoing process that will continue for many years.
The project will provide an overview of basic skills, safety and knowledge of flat-water canoeing and water safety. The project will cover theory and practice of flat-water canoeing and water safety (water safety, equipment, paddling skills, environmental awareness, weather, risk management & emergency procedures), leadership, group processing & development). The project will provide a model program of flat-water canoeing and water safety education in our school and for a lifetime.
The thoughts, ideas, and information-offered here will, I trust, aid students in becoming better acquainted with the use of the water and the outdoors as a way for learning.
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