The six-story, 9,012-square-metre, 50-classroom building, which earlier this year for its sustainability and occupant wellness features,聽聽on 91亚色 U鈥檚 Keele Campus. Its twisted appearance is meant to symbolize the school鈥檚 twist on the traditional mission of continuing studies 鈥� that is, to solve Canada鈥檚 most pressing labour challenges by connecting employers to a highly skilled talent pool through its unique program offerings.

"Our new building has been purpose-built to give our learners and instructors what they need to thrive," said Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies, "whether that鈥檚 excellent teaching and learning spaces, a place to feed your baby, a prayer room, gathering spaces or, most critically, community that welcomes and celebrates your growth."

For the third annual Architecture & Interiors Awards, a three-person jury of U.S. industry experts spent hours reviewing the nearly 200 submissions received from commercial architecture and design firms around the world to determine the 34 winning projects. The School of Continuing Studies Building emerged a standout, with one juror noting its "subtle singularity" and "understanding of the site and relationships."

"This award is a recognition that this is good design for both the physical environment but also in career-focused education," said Brooks-Cappadocia. "We are thrilled to celebrate this win with Perkins&Will and our community of learners and employers."

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Three researchers from the Lassonde School of Engineering at 91亚色 have received support for innovative interdisciplinary research projects from the Lassonde Innovation Fund (LIF), an initiative that helps advance work that addresses global challenges and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

This year鈥檚 LIF initiatives focus on a range of topics, spanning from green roof innovation to exploring planetary skies. Through these projects, faculty members are committed to advancing scientific research and creating solutions for a more just and sustainable world.

Learn more about this year鈥檚 LIF projects below.

Project: 鈥淎ssessing Hydraulic and Thermal Performance of Green Roof鈥� by Magdalena Krol

Krol, an associate professor of civil engineering, will leverage her expertise, and that of civil engineering Professor Usman Khan, as well as the testing capacity of the , to compare the performance of conventional roofs against green roofs.

Green roofs have the ability to both mitigate flood risk by retaining storm water and reduce energy costs of buildings and homes. Currently, there is limited research that critically evaluates the performance difference between conventional and green roofs, creating a significant knowledge gap in urban sustainability.

This project 鈥� a first of its kind 鈥� aims to bridge the gap by constructing modules of both roof types and monitoring their behaviour under realistic conditions such as fluctuating temperature, precipitation and humidity. Using various tools and technologies, data will be collected over time to analyze specific performance indicators, including storm water retention and energy dissipation.

Establishing a thorough understanding of green roof efficiency is crucial for further development of design guidelines and encouraging the adoption of these systems in urban areas.

Project: 鈥淚nterpretable Learning of Bio-signaling Systems via Data-driven Graph Analysis鈥� by Gene Cheung

A professor of electrical engineering and computer science, Cheung鈥檚 initiative will build on existing research exploring the use of a graph-based tool to evaluate and classify biological signals, as well as evaluate the response of cells, in the eye.

In collaboration with Andrew Eckford, an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, as well as Yuji Nakatsukasa, an associate professor at the University of Oxford, the researchers will apply their expertise to refine the graph-based classifier to determine exactly which cells are responding to particular visual information.

This advanced tool has the potential to increase understanding of the visual system, helping inform the development of assistive technologies for visual impairments. The project also serves as a foundation for future work that aims to extend analyses to more diverse and complex biological signals.

Project: 鈥淧erceiving Planetary Skies through Space, Time, and Experience鈥� by John Moores

Moores, an associate professor in the Department of Earth & Space Science & Engineering, will pursue a project that blends art and science to create space-themed immersive experiences inspired by data gathered from planetary skies. This research is driven by the idea that engaging with planetary data in a more captivating way can help reshape our understanding of other planets.

Moores will work in collaboration with Sarah Rugheimer, an associate professor in the Faculty of Science; Jennifer Steeves, a professor in the Faculty of Health; and Ian Garrett, an associate professor in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design.

The project includes three objectives: utilizing radiative heat transfer techniques to model alien skies, developing immersive exhibits that simulate exotic space environments, and analyzing individuals鈥� psychological and physiological responses to these space-themed displays.

This interdisciplinary research promises to investigate, inform and inspire, fostering a deeper connection between space and humanity, while advancing understanding of planetary skies.

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The 91亚色 SDGs-in-the-Classroom Toolkit, designed to assist the interdisciplinary infusion of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in academic curriculums, recently earned a prestigious spot as an international finalist for the Green Gown Awards, which recognize exceptional sustainability initiatives. It serves as culmination of the pioneering journey to create it.

The seed of the SDG toolkit began in 2021 with Provostial Fellow and Professor Cheryl van Daalen-Smith. She wanted to create shared practices to promote and enable the infusion of all 17 SDGs into classrooms across 91亚色 campuses and disciplines.

A community of practice was formed with over 60 educators and the decision was made that a toolkit could be a useful communal resource. Tracy Bhoola, a SDGs project coordinator and manager in the Graduate Supervisory Support Hub and former ESL instructor, as well as doctoral student and research assistant Nitima Bhatia, were enlisted to create a comprehensive online tool that would help faculty across 91亚色 better integrate SDGs into learning environments through discussions, lessons or curriculums.

But what should that toolkit look like?

Bhoola and Bhatia first turned to faculty, creating a survey asking participants what they would want out of the SDG toolkit, how they would use it, and what would make it most user-friendly.

鈥淲e wanted to know how we can make things easier and simpler for everybody so that they can access it,鈥� says Bhatia.

The survey provided two guiding principles: faculty wanted relevant resources to be accessible in three clicks or less, and that they be organized by discipline and individual SDG.

鈥淭hat forced us to make sure we were organized and ask, 鈥楥ould we get people what they wanted,鈥欌�� says Bhoola.

The pair began researching what toolkits may already exist at other academic institutions to gain inspiration from how they were organized. They found nothing comparable to what they had in mind for 91亚色. As for possible resources to include in the toolkits, most were only applicable to elementary education 鈥� not college or university.

It fell then to Bhatia and Bhoola to be something of pioneers, investing uncountable hours to not only find existing resources and materials, but then adapt them for the university level curriculums. Along the way they leveraged their unique experiences and perspectives as teacher and student to aid the project, assessing resources based on how they might use them.

The pair also continued to draw on faculty feedback, not just from the survey but ongoing collaborations. 鈥淭hey needed to be involved because if people are asked questions and are involved in each step of the process, they're invested more,鈥� Bhoola says.

After six months of work, the SDGs-in-the-Classroom Toolkit launched in June 2022, featuring lesson plans, case studies, classroom support materials, reports, course design guidance and more.

Since its launch, the toolkit has been accessed by educators and students from over 50 countries, expanding its pool of collaborators along the way. Within Canada, for example, George Brown College reached out to partner on expanding the toolkit鈥檚 experiential education section, the University of Calgary鈥檚 Haskayne School of Business added to the business section, and the University of British Columbia contributed to the wellness section. International institutions have reached out to provide content as well.

鈥淚t's nice to have that collaboration and build on that community, so it's not just the 91亚色 community 鈥� it鈥檚 beyond,鈥� says Bhoola.

The external collaborations following the toolkit鈥檚 launch have been important too in contributing to one of the team鈥檚 major ongoing goals. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just that we got these resources and we created this toolkit and that鈥檚 it,鈥� says Bhatia. 鈥淲e wanted it to be a living and breathing thing.鈥�

As the toolkit moves forward and evolves, that鈥檚 something Bhoola and Bhatia want to remind internal collaborators too, urging faculty to continue sharing how they鈥檙e using the toolkit, what resources they like and if there鈥檚 something missing that they would like to see.

As Bhatia and Bhoola reflect on the year since the tool launched 鈥� and the recent Green Gown Awards finalist nomination 鈥� they feel grateful for the engagement. 鈥淚t validates our efforts, and the hours upon hours that we've put into it,鈥� says Bhoola.

It also gives them a push, says Bhatia. 鈥淚t keeps inspiring us, giving us the motivation and encouragement to keep going.鈥� Bhoola agrees: 鈥淚t reinforces our commitment towards the SDGs and our toolkit.鈥�

That commitment remains strong, especially as both are very cognizant of the stakes and potential impact the SDGs can have.

鈥淚f we can help bring those to them, or put them into the classroom, that's what's going to drive the change in the future,鈥� says Bhoola. 鈥淲e need to make sure that we're constantly there for teachers and students so that they can right the future.鈥�

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As part of recent operational actions underway to help 91亚色 meet its aspirational target of becoming a net-zero university by 2040, 91亚色 U has stopped running its fossil-fuelled co-generation units around the clock this summer.

No longer running the co-generation units 24-7 will lead to a more efficiency-based operation schedule that maintains service to the 91亚色 community while minimizing strain on the provincial energy grid. The change is expected to reduce emissions by 22,000 tonnes and account for 80 per cent of the University鈥檚 2030 emission reduction target.

Co-generation is the simultaneous production of two or more forms of energy from a single fuel source. In 91亚色鈥檚 case, natural gas has been used to produce both electricity and steam, which is then used for heating and cooling the campus. In traditional generation, excess heat generated through the process of producing electricity is expelled as waste into the atmosphere and waterways. The dual production of both electricity and recoverable heat made co-generation more efficient and cost-effective than other options previously available. 

As years have passed, the measure of sustainable practices has changed. Operating the co-generation units around the clock is no longer the most sustainable means to deliver services on campus, and it accounts for a significant portion of 91亚色's annual carbon dioxide emissions.

To reduce the continuous operation of the co-generation units, the University's Energy Management team created a plan to deliver heating and cooling to the campus by employing strategies that use data analysis to help determine the most effective, efficient and sustainable way to do so, while maximizing comfort and minimizing carbon emissions. While the co-generation units may still be used, it is expected that they will run only when necessary and for approximately five per cent of the year 鈥� a significant shift from around-the-clock operation.

In November 2023, President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton 91亚色鈥檚 goal of achieving net-zero emissions a decade earlier than originally planned. The aspiration is part of the University鈥檚 recently renewed Sustainability Policy, which includes a commitment to develop and implement a process to track, measure, evaluate and report progress toward net-zero emissions.

The adjustment to the co-generation units will get 91亚色 80 per cent of the way to its target of curbing emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 鈥� a near-term target on the journey to net zero.

鈥淚n the 1990s, 91亚色 was an early adopter in making operational improvements to reduce our emissions, including transitioning away from coal-generated electricity and using natural gas instead to help lower our emissions,鈥� says Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. 鈥淭his significant step to decarbonize our central plant for heating and cooling highlights our continued leadership and innovation to support our net-zero target.鈥�

The co-generation shift is the first of many projects the Energy Management team expects to implement as part of its action plan to decarbonize the central plant and modernize energy management at 91亚色. Additional projects that better use data to inform operations are forthcoming.

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At 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering, building relationships with external partners is a key objective that not only enhances Lassonde鈥檚 reach and reputation but provides students with unique learning opportunities and experiences.

Recently, Liam Butler, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, teamed up with construction company Printerra, which offers 3D construction printing. Together, they are helping to address Canada鈥檚 growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing by manufacturing 3D-printed concrete homes. Using state-of-the-art printing technology and low-carbon concrete materials, the project's goal is to transform the future of housing construction by reducing both labour costs and construction time.

In support of this initiative, Butler received funding through the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada's Alliance Advantage program. In addition to aiding research objectives, this funding will allow for the training and recruitment of graduate-level student researchers, who will have the opportunity to advance their engineering skills through lab testing and field monitoring.

鈥淭he major goals of this project are testing the feasibility of 3D-printed concrete homes and their long-term performance against different climate conditions,鈥� says Butler.

This project will take advantage of innovative facilities at Lassonde, including the High Bay Structures Lab and the 鈥� a unique space that allows for outdoor testing and monitoring of natural and infrastructure materials to evaluate their performance under realistic climate conditions.

鈥淧rinterra is the first industry partner to directly undertake work at the CD3 Facility,鈥� says Butler. 鈥淭his project fulfills the entire vision of the facility, and we hope it will put us on the map and generate further interest from industry partners.鈥�

In addition to performance testing, Butler will focus on the development of low-carbon concrete mixtures that can be used to 3D print structural components.

Similar to 3D printing with plastics and metals, using concrete involves the successive deposition of thin layers of material through an extrusion nozzle. The properties of the concrete must be closely controlled to ensure each layer hardens and holds its shape prior to adding the next layer.

Typically, these mixtures contain significant amounts of Portland cement, a conventional material used to make concrete 鈥� and a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions. By developing new, low-carbon concrete materials, Butler will establish a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete, helping to offset the associated carbon footprint of 3D-printed housing.

This project also gives student researchers the chance to collaborate with industry professionals and achieve research outcomes that directly relate to industrial applications. Such opportunities are crucial for career preparation, offering learners hands-on experiences and connections that are invaluable as they transition from academia to their professional careers.

鈥淭his project is going to demonstrate the strong potential of 3D-printed concrete homes while building trust in new, low-carbon concrete materials and construction technologies 鈥� it is a very exciting time for our research group,鈥� says Butler.

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Tom Watt, director of Food Services at 91亚色, will join the Board of Governors for Fairtrade Canada, the Canadian arm of Fairtrade International, which is responsible for supporting, promoting and advocating for fair terms of trade for farmers and workers disadvantaged by global trade structures.

91亚色鈥檚 representation on the Fairtrade Canada board marks the latest achievement in the University鈥檚 progress to advance fair trade practices across its campuses. In May, the University announced its silver fair trade campus designation 鈥� a commemoration of years of dedicated collaboration between students, faculty and staff to provide more sustainable options across 91亚色's campuses. A year prior, 91亚色 U hosted Congress 2023, which was recognized as the biggest fair trade event in Canadian history.

Considering recent successes, 91亚色 is well poised to have a voice on the Fairtrade Canada board, to share insights and lessons learned from advancing fair trade initiatives at the third largest university in Canada.

鈥淚 believe a major reason for the confidence in my experience was the many successful fair trade initiatives we鈥檝e had here at 91亚色 over the past few years,鈥� says Watt. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see how my experience at 91亚色 will enhance Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 activities and how my experience on the board will benefit what we do at 91亚色.鈥�

Representation on the Fairtrade Canada board is expected to generate benefits for both parties. The board is responsible for governance and oversight of fair trade activities in Canada, including establishing the organization鈥檚 mission, vision and strategy, ensuring legal compliance and monitoring performance. The board also develops policies that align with fair trade principles, engages in advocacy through relationship building, identifies and mitigates risks, upholds ethical standards, and promotes sustainability and social justice.

91亚色鈥檚 history of advocacy and adherence to principles of sustainability and social justice will now be added to the organization's board, which includes leaders from fair-trade certified food and textile companies. The collaboration is expected to also support 91亚色 in advancing its own fair trade practices.

In addition to this new role on Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 board, Watt also serves as co-chair of 91亚色鈥檚 Fairtrade Steering Committee and on the Sustainability Taskforce.

鈥淭his is an excellent example of 91亚色 staff championing our values with community partners to maximize the benefit for all,鈥� says Kim McLean, assistant vice-president of Ancillary Services at 91亚色 U. 鈥淲e are proud to offer so many fair-trade certified products through Food Services and the YU Bookstore, and look forward to continuing to contribute to the advancement of Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 mission.鈥�

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In circumstances of extreme weather 鈥� such as heat warnings in summer due to soaring temperatures 鈥� Facilities Services works hard to ensure the 91亚色 community can continue to comfortably learn, teach and work on our campuses, while balancing the University鈥檚 commitment to sustainability in its operations.

Unseasonably high temperatures generate unprecedented demand on the provincial energy grid, leading to more energy use, higher emissions, inflated costs and strain on the grid. As a result, 91亚色 U implemented a peak demand management program in the summer of 2023 鈥� an effort to uphold its commitment to support a sustainable energy system in Ontario. This program, which has been implemented at universities across the province, requires 91亚色 U to reduce its energy use in alignment with peak demand days to eliminate emissions, save costs and reduce strain on the grid.

Through participation in this program last summer, it is estimated that the University avoided 22,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and saved $3.8 million in energy costs by reducing its energy use by eight megawatts on peak days over the summer months. That is equivalent to taking 24,713 cars off the road or eliminating the consumption of over 34-million litres of gasoline.

鈥淕lobal warming has forced us to think differently about how we heat and cool our buildings,鈥� says Brad Parkes, assistant vice-president of Facilities Services. 鈥淚n Facilities Services, we鈥檙e constantly looking at the data to see how we can optimize our systems, work with the provincial grid instead of against it and contribute to sustainability and cost savings goals through our operations. The concept of the peak demand management program is simple, but it has real impact that will continue to grow.鈥�

To ensure comfort on 91亚色 U鈥檚 campuses during the program, Facilities Services cools buildings to a lower temperature overnight, with the goal of retaining the cooler air throughout the day when the temperatures are elevated. Those efforts can be extended if community members keep exterior doors, windows and blinds closed to keep the cold air in. For those with workspaces adjacent to a space that has air conditioning, such as a hallway, keeping doors ajar to promote circulation might be helpful. Turning off lights not in use, or using natural light, is another way to help with unnecessary heat generation.

Facilities Services also references the classroom booking information from the Office of the University Registrar to strategically match air conditioning to buildings with occupancy and reduce air conditioning in buildings without occupancy. Special attention has also been given to buildings that require consistent cooling due to equipment, technology and ongoing research.

Community members with concerns or questions about the temperature in their space should get in touch with the Work Control Centre by emailing facilities@yorku.ca or calling 416-736-2100 ext. 22401. Managers should also refer to the Hybrid Work Policy and Hybrid Work Procedure regarding discretion and flexibility to adjust hybrid work agreements as necessary.

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A new automated biofilter living wall 鈥� comprised of 260 plants of varying species 鈥� has been installed in the Student Counselling, Health & Well-being (SCHW) office to promote tranquility, wellness and better air for visiting students and office staff.

As part of SCHW鈥檚 pivotal role in offering essential mental health and wellness resources to students, it has been undertaking projects that reflect its commitment to well-being in its physical environment.

鈥淧ursuing projects that reflect the commitment to well-being in the physical environment has been an important effort for SCHW because we believe that a positive and welcoming atmosphere enhances the overall experience for both students and staff,鈥� says Lori Walls, executive director of student counselling, health and well-being. 鈥淚nvesting in these initiatives reaffirms our commitment to creating spaces that promote well-being.鈥�

The nearly seven- by 10-foot living wall 鈥� made up of a range of species, including dracaena and ficus 鈥� is the latest example. Supported by a hydroponic system, a technique for growing plants using water-based nutrient solutions rather than soil, the installation features a 67-gallon irrigation setup that eliminates the need for soil, conserves water and maximizes growth.

While the wall has aesthetic benefits 鈥� notably, creating a tranquil environment for students and staff 鈥� it has other notable perks, too. Hydroponic systems facilitate microclimates by maintaining optimal humidity levels, fostering the growth of beneficial microbes that play a crucial role in breaking down pollutants and purifying the air indoors. In the process, it helps increase the overall air quality, which is known to improve cognitive function and health.

At the same time, SCHW hopes the new wall will realize its incorporation of biophilic design principles, a building concept that looks to increase the connection between people and the natural environment 鈥� in this case, by bringing the natural into SCHW. It aims to create spaces that are not only physically healthier but more emotionally supportive and invigorating.

In many ways, those hopes are already being fulfilled. 鈥淭he living wall has made immediate impacts for the students visiting our centre. Both students and staff have shared positive feedback, noting that the plants create a welcoming atmosphere,鈥� says Walls. 鈥淲e recently conducted a survey to gather feedback on our space and I鈥檓 pleased to say the overall response was that our space is calming and tranquil.鈥�

The living wall serves as a visible sign of Student Counselling, Health & Well-being鈥檚 commitment to the well-being of 91亚色鈥檚 students, underlining the importance of a holistic approach to health that encompasses academic, emotional and environmental factors.

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Canada is home to some of the world鈥檚 most sought-after critical minerals, like copper, nickel and lithium. These minerals are essential for building a green and sustainable economy in Canada, with direct applications ranging from electric vehicles to solar panels. This is why Pouya Rezai, an associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at 91亚色鈥檚 Lassonde School of Engineering, is leading a project to optimize the rapid detection and extraction of these critical minerals 鈥� particularly lithium.

Lithium is a versatile mineral that is widely used to develop and improve innovative technologies like energy storage solutions, as well as metallurgic and automotive applications. Currently, the industrial processes used to detect and isolate lithium are challenging, time-consuming and often expensive. To improve the efficiency of lithium retention, the Lassonde researchers are exploring methods to reuse and recycle the critical mineral from various sources like electronic waste and electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

This $1.5-million project, funded by the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada鈥檚 Alliance Mission Grant, addresses a , stemming from .

鈥淥ur project aims to enhance the entire supply chain of lithium production 鈥� from detection to mining and recycling to reuse,鈥� says Rezai. 鈥淲e are starting with developing technologies that can detect, quantify and isolate lithium from electronic waste materials like EV batteries.鈥�

Other Lassonde researchers co-leading the project include Department of Mechanical Engineering professors Thomas Cooper, Cuiying Jian, Roger Kempers, Siu Ning (Sunny) Leung and Nima Tabatabaei, and Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Professor Razieh (Neda) Salahandish.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Lassonde researchers and six industry partners, this project intends to uplift Canada鈥檚 green and digital economy by helping to increase the country鈥檚 supply of responsibly sourced lithium. Specifically, the researchers are engineering and testing lithium-imprinted polymers that are specially designed to isolate lithium from complex sources like electronic waste.

The team is also exploring and developing optical and electrochemical-integrated devices that can detect and quantify lithium amidst other materials, which would allow miners to detect the presence of lithium within hard rock ore. To ensure optimal performance and portability of the devices, the team is investigating the use of aerogels 鈥� an ultralight material with favourable properties and immense potential.

鈥淲e want this interdisciplinary project to demonstrate the Mechanical Engineering Department鈥檚 ability to work together and achieve a single goal,鈥� says Rezai. 鈥淭his is the first initiative that has brought together such a large group within our department. We are also hiring 28 student researchers across a spectrum of expertise to support the project and provide valuable learning opportunities. Our idea is to eventually expand the team and build more industry partnerships to achieve greater research and funding.鈥�

According to the research team, this collaborative initiative is only the beginning of a much larger project. Through continued efforts, they hope to innovate the future of critical mineral supply chains and generate licensed, commercialized and patented technologies.

鈥淚f we can successfully detect lithium with our technology, we can do so much more,鈥� says Leung. 鈥淲e are working on a platform technology 鈥� the idea is to optimize the detection of one mineral and then work toward other applications. One day, we plan to expand our work to detect other materials, like biological contaminants or disease biomarkers.鈥�

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A recent initiative highlights how 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) is helping high-school students reach their potential as the next generation of sustainable changemakers.

With the ongoing climate challenges the world faces, the need for active citizenship and environmental stewardship has never been greater. It鈥檚 why EUC has made an ongoing effort to provide climate, sustainability and social justice education for the leaders of tomorrow.

The Faculty fulfills that goal with the students currently enrolled in its post-secondary programs, but it doesn't want to stop there. Among its key objectives, EUC commits to frequently offering high-school outreach activities that provide resources, hands-on skill building opportunities and support to young people who want to make a difference in the world.

Big events, like February鈥檚 annual iteration of the 鈥� which welcomed 500 Ontario high-school students and their teachers to 91亚色 U's Keele Campus for a day of environmental education and inspiration 鈥� are part of those efforts. Smaller initiatives are part of them, too 鈥� like the recent Design Thinking Challenge event in May, attended by 60 students and teachers from several 91亚色 Region schools.

The event offered local students two programming tracks. The first was a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) ICE Challenge Case Competition, which tasked participating students to come up with a sustainable architectural solution for redesigning the front entrance and foyer of the Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies Building on 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus.

The second track was a new extracurricular Urban Solutions program, where students presented their solutions to global challenges, ranging from language accessibility in the Toronto Transit Commission system to disaster relief in Haiti.

Once students worked through their projects, they had a chance to present their design proposals and get feedback from Abidin Kusno, EUC professor and undergraduate program co-ordinator; Teresa Abbruzzesse, EUC professor and Cities, Regions, Planning program co-ordinator; and Laura Taylor, co-author of the SHSM challenge, professor and master of environmental studies Planning program co-ordinator.

鈥淭he students came up with some ingenious solutions for the challenge that was presented to them,鈥� said Philip Kelly, professor and interim dean of EUC.

One example was a student who presented a proposal to solve period poverty 鈥� the inability to afford feminine hygiene products 鈥� in Uganda, building upon her existing interest in gender equality. Her solution was a more sustainable, accessible, disposable pad that would be produced using locally sourced materials.

For students, EUC initiatives like this can provide experiential learning opportunities that are rewarding in more ways than one. In this case, the event featured several prizes: the Feasibility Laureate award for the most practical and easy-to-implement solution; the Empathy Emblem award for the solution that shows the deepest understanding of the users; and the Impact Pioneer Plaque award for the solution with the greatest potential for positive impact.

EUC hopes experiences like these 鈥� representative of the Faculty's broader efforts with high-school students 鈥� are rewarding in other ways, too.

鈥淭he event offers students early exposure to higher educational environments, which can motivate students to pursue further education and set higher academic and career goals,鈥� said Brittany Giglio, EUC recruitment and liaison officer. 鈥淭hese partnerships contribute significantly to the development of well-prepared, motivated and successful individuals.鈥�

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