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Glendale makes the most of WorldSkills Calgary 2009! The CBE has been eagerly gearing up for the competition with plans for schools to visit the grounds. Glendale School has carefully been preparing by exposing students to different aspects of the event from learning about and trying diverse trades as part of a renovation and taking part in the “One School, One Country” initiative. Glendale’s experience with the trades began on the eve of major renovations to their 55 year old library. During the planning stage, it was decided that the library needed to include significant modernizations. Fortunately, the renovations gave students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of some of the trades that would contribute to the remodel and the upcoming WorldSkills Calgary 2009 competition. Students were given the opportunity to provide their input in the project and came up with ideas to make the area fresh and create a student centered atmosphere. Among addressing the need for new computers and internal décor they really wanted space to work on robotics, thus spawning the concept of a Library Learning Commons. Many trades people were involved in getting the renovation underway in early winter. Externally, CBE grounds department pavers began by repaving the asphalt as there were many unsafe holes and rifts in the tarmac. Internally, sheet metal workers and heating/cooling controllers from the CBE installed a modern uni-vent system complete with air conditioning. In the past, the library’s climate control was inadequate as it was always very hot and stuffy in the warmer months, yet cold during winter.
Manatai cabinet makers and finishing carpenters designed and installed millwork for the robotics studio in the library. They also gave students a demonstration of their work, similar to what will be taking place in September at WorldSkills. The students also interacted with plumbers working on the main library area, like John who graduated from a CBE high school and is now enjoying a successful career in the trades. By April it was time for the official grand opening of the new Library Learning Commons. As part of the celebration, Crystal Walcyck from CBE Architectural Services showed students how technological advancements have changed the way spaces like the new Library Learning Commons are designed. She brought in blueprints from 1955 to show them the difference between old hand drawn blueprints and new AutoCAD software that allows them to be designed on computers. AutoCAD software is being used by a number of competitors at WorldSkills and Glendale students even got to try and make mini designs.
The Skills Road Show was invited to the school and gave students some practical experience with different trades they could potentially pursue in the future. The Road Show team go all over the province sharing examples of some of the skills and trades that will be showcased at the competition in September. Students worked in groups to simulate a WorldSkills team event by assembling yo-yos before an introduction to soldering. While dressed in the appropriate safety gear students learned the process of welding pipes together outside on the newly paved tarmac.
Glendale students were approached again by the Skills Road Show crew to assemble VEX Protobot Tumbler kits for robotics demonstrations throughout the summer. The students used their robotics knowledge to build kits that college students almost twice their age could not even construct.
The students learned Thai songs and dance styles during music class and even got the chance to view a performance by traditional Thai dancers. They were also visited by storyteller Jeff Stockton who recited three traditional Thai tales on his harp.
In March, two student ambassadors attended an international greeting at the Westin Hotel where they met the Thai WorldSkills Technical Delegate. The students welcomed the Delegate with special greetings, exchanged gifts and then had some time to visit and talk about various aspects of the upcoming competition including skills in which Thailand will participate. Who would have thought that a library renovation could have spawned so much enthusiasm throughout an entire school community? Students at Glendale School could very well be future competitors at WorldSkills competitions given their unique opportunity to learn about some of the trades that are so important yet often overlooked. Along with the excitement of hosting international delegates in September, Glendale students are anxiously awaiting WorldSkills Calgary 2009! Congratulations to all CBE Schools that are engaged with WorldSkills Calgary 2009!
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This September, WorldSkills 2009 is coming to Calgary. The trades’ equivalent to the Olympics, the competition will be largest special event the city has hosted since the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Another main aspect of the unveiling was using the robotics design studio for the first time! Students used NXT robotics materials and programmed the robots to complete mazes. Six teams built projects for the grand opening with the help of SmartBoard technology to publicly share out work and information.
Under the “One School, One Country” initiative Glendale school will host 30 competitors and delegates from Thailand in September for WorldSkills. In order to prepare for this they have been learning about Thai culture through music, dancing and stories.
Mr. Richards, a parent from the school who lived in Thailand for three years gave the students some insight into day to day Thai traditions. He taught them local customs like holding your hands together at chin level is a sign of respect and that showing the soles of your feet is impolite.