Jan. 24th, 2012 – Evergreen Volunteer Night

YMCA Academy Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning, Student Spotlight

The Academy’s own Jessie was honoured recently at Evergreen’s volunteer appreciation night.  The event was held at the Brickworks where Jessie has contributed many hours of volunteer work.  With support from Kaili and her co-op program at the Academy, Jessie’s placement with Evergreen has turned into a rich and rewarding experience that shows no signs of slowing down.  In addition to co-op hours, Jessie has volunteered on his own time in the summer months as well as with the Academy for their spring and fall stewardship program at Downsview Park.  Thanks for all you do, Jessie, and congratulations!

Visit the Evergreen Website

Dec. 12th, 2011 – RBC Innovation Centre Pictures

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Laser keyboards!  Augmented reality!  Life-size touch screens!  These were just some of the impressive, futuristic technologies on display for students at the RBC Innovation Centre.  The Academy’s grade 10 Business class took a tour led by James Miller of some emerging technologies that the Royal Bank of Canada will be implementing in the near future to change the face of banking.  Students also heard from Nermeen Mikhail about the impressive array of accessible technologies for customers and employees with disabilities.  Jennifer Stott rounded out the experience with an engaging discussion about financial trends and how to avoid identity theft with the new bank card chip.  A big thanks to everyone at RBC for this awesome trip!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Visit the RBC Innovation Centre Website

Dec. 6th, 2011 – Interactive Banking Workshop

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Unlimited account interactions!  Student-friendly banking plans!  Extended week-day hours!  These are just some of the services that the Introduction to Business students learned today in an interactive banking workshop.  Perusing flyers and surfing online, students investigated how the Big 5 Canadian banks compete and what they offer their clients.  Stay tuned for a report on Friday’s upcoming trip to the RBC Innovation Centre!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Nov. 22nd, 2011 – Searching for Micrometeorites

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Space dust is all around us…even in the alley next to our school!  Cathy McWatters, astronomy educator extraordinaire, led the Academy’s Astronomy Club in a hunt for micrometeorites – tiny particles of space rock weighing usually less than a gram and appearing as near-perfect circles under a microscope.  The best chance of collecting micrometeorites is after a meteor shower, so get your magnets ready because the Leonids will be peaking in the early hours of November 18!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Nov. 17th, 2011 – Shovel and Spoon Program

YMCA Academy Community, Experiential Learning, Healthy Living

As part of The YMCA Academy’s commitment to experiential learning, the Food and Nutrition (HFN1O) and Healthcare (TPJ3M) classes have been participating in a very exciting program called “Shovel and Spoon” available to us through one of our community partners, The Stop Community Food Centre.  The program consists of a series of field trips to the beautiful Whychwood Barns (and occasionally Hillcrest Gardens). During the duration of the program at Whychwood Barns the students are fulfilling course curriculum expectations for each of their classes.

We are very fortunate to be participating in this unique program.  It offers opportunities beyond those that we can offer on our premises and includes valuable lessons about healthy living and healthy choices, which are important for all students to learn.

The “Shovel and Spoon” program includes, but is not limited to, some of the following activities:

  • Cooking in the community kitchen (i.e. canning and preserving, cooking on a budget, knife skills, low-sugar baking, cooking for one, and cooking for various health conditions)
  • Planting in the greenhouse (i.e. food growing, sprouting, plant propagation, container gardening, seed starting)
  • Hands-on learning about nutrition and wellness
  • Shared reflection and journal writing

The Shovel and Spoon staff Toyin Coker and program volunteers (Lindsay, Lara and Lee) share their extensive knowledge through fun activities that engage the students and offer them a supported learning environment. The students and staff of The YMCA Academy are enjoying the experience tremendously!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

The Stop Community Food Centre Website