May 20, 2009
Innovative Educational Initiative Gets Supercharged by OPA
The District School Board of Niagara is moving ahead with plans for an “electric” new cooperative education program thanks to generous support from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA). The OPA has awarded the DSBN a $184,000 grant to continue the development of Ambassadors for Conservation of Energy (ACE) program.
On Tuesday, May 19, the Board, along with its valued partners, celebrated the launch of this exciting new program which will debut in September at E.L. Crossley Secondary School in Pelham and Westlane Secondary in Niagara Falls.
The ACE program is designed to introduce senior high school students in the DSBN to careers in energy through a combination of cooperative education and experiential learning activities. Working closely alongside industry professionals, students will take part in industry recognized training, energy audits, retrofits and energy conservation awareness campaigns in their schools and surrounding DSBN facilities.
“We are thrilled to have the support of the Ontario Power Authority to help introduce students to the wealth of challenging and rewarding career opportunities in the energy sector,” says Kevin Graham, DSBN Technology Consultant. “This program is especially appropriate given that our region is home to one of the world’s largest sources of renewable energy in Niagara Falls.”
ACE Coordinator Mike Balsom notes that the Ambassadors of Energy Conservation program is in tune with the DSBN’s focus on environmental sustainability. “A growing number of our schools are becoming certified EcoSchools. The ACE program would complement their efforts by teaching students how to conduct energy audits to identify energy waste and promote further energy conservation. Students enrolled in the ACE program will also complete approved retrofits,” says Balsom.
Each year, nearly 2,500 students at the District School Board of Niagara participate in cooperative education at more than 1,700 work sites throughout the Niagara region.
Click here to listen as ACE Coordinator Mike Balsom joins host Tim Denis on the 610 CKTB morning show.
DSBN Director of Education Warren Hoshizaki (centre) officially signs the documents confirming the partnership between the District School Board of Niagara, the Ministry of Education and the Ontario Power Authority.
Proud Principals Carol Purcer (left), Westlane Secondary, and Ann Harrison, E.L. Crossley, will have the ACE program debut at their schools in September.