The winning team received $2,500 and individual one-year memberships to OACETT, which was presented today by OACETT President, Stephen Morley, C.E.T., C.I.M.
“I am very excited to present the first National Engineering Month Ontario College Student Challenge Award to Confederation College students,” said Morley. “They really did an exceptional job in showcasing the talent of engineering technology students, raising awareness of the profession and inspiring a new generation of technicians and technologists.”
“The students showcased exactly how important engineering and technology are to the way we live and the challenges we face as a society,” added Confederation College Program Coordinator of Civil Engineering Technology and OACETT Thunder Bay Chapter Chair Bruce Elliott, C.E.T. “Our chapter is extremely pleased that our mentorship efforts helped to guide the students to win this valuable award.”
Elliott also credited Confederation College for encouraging and supporting their students in building relationships with their professional association and the engineering and technology professionals at large.
The student team graciously decided to donate their winnings to the local OACETT chapter through Confederation College to bolster the OACETT Fletcher Foundation Fund, which awards an annual $1,000 bursary to an outstanding student enrolled in an engineering technology or technician program.
“We are incredibly proud of our students for organizing this important event for our school,” said Jim Madder, President, Confederation College. “It is wonderful to see them recognized for their efforts and touching to witness their selflessness in their decision to donate the winnings towards the success of future students in the program.”
To earn this award, these five students, with the help of other student volunteers, Cameron Koch and Grant Merkley, competed against student groups from Centennial, Conestoga, Loyalist, Seneca and Sheridan Colleges. From civil, electrical, environmental and mechanical programs, these students worked to create a multi-layered event to engage all of their peers.
The Technology Conference and Career Fair included guest speakers and opportunities to network with technology professionals and potential employers. It wrapped up with a dinner featuring keynote speaker, Dawne Lambe of Nipissing University’s Biomass Innovation Center, who discussed how engineering and technology would help humanity survive the impending zombie apocalypse.
The Confederation College student team was visited by volunteer judges and scored on effectiveness of messaging, integration of the NEM theme ‘Make a World of Difference’ and visual elements and participant engagement. They received top scores for engaging a variety of participants, high attendance, messaging and for being multi-dimensional. Bridging connections to technology professionals, networking with fellow students and potential employers and showcasing several ‘real world’ projects happening in Thunder Bay that students were able to relate back to their learning, were key elements setting Confederation College apart.
“Our goal was to show students how engineering and technology act as an outlet for creativity and imagination that can turn ideas into reality,” said Shawna Fletcher, Technology Conference and Career Fair vice chair and a first year student in the Civil Engineering Technology program. “Hosting and participating in our conference was already an incredibly valuable experience. Winning this award puts that experience over the top and tells us that we accomplished our goal. It feels great!”
