Like probiotics are for your gut, mycorrhizal fungi are for soil in vitalizing millions of microorganisms!

Dr. Adriana Morrell, Instructor and Mycology Lab Scientific Lead from Lethbridge Polytechnic shares about her sustainable research project on soil reclamation. Adriana's aim? Identify effective treatments to spur biologically diverse and productive outcomes after a disturbance (like coal mining) as quickly as possible. 

Adriana was recently awarded $250K from Alberta Innovates, and she is already prepping for the spring, where native grasses pre-inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi will be relocated to select sites in the Crownest Pass.

During the show, guest and hosts mention:

“The key thing that we keep emphasizing, you'll hear us say it over and over again, is we have to be where industry is, and where industry wants to be next.” ~ Andrew Dunlop, Associate Vice President of Research at Lethbridge Polytechnic

Dave McMurray, Applied Research Manager at Lethbridge Polytechnic, and Andrew Dunlop, Associate Vice President of Research at Lethbridge Polytechnic discuss the inner workings of the Centre for Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (CARIE). 

Dave and Andrew share how applied research differs from university research, including IP property, moving at the speed of business, and direct industry connections.

Do you have a sense of duty, urgency, and community? The justice field wants YOU! 🫵

Whether you're fresh out of high-school, or you're a workforce veteran considering a career switch, there are so many opportunities for you in the justice field – our special guests want to share them all with you!

Joining this episode are Constable Allie Enkirch from Lethbridge Police Service (LPS); Constable Kirby Erickson from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); Joel McDonald, Deputy Chief of 9-1-1 in Lethbridge; and Mark Smallbones, Retired Staff Sergeant from LPS and practicum coordinator/part-time instructor at Lethbridge Polytechnic.

Tune in for some belly laughs, heartfelt journeys, and see if you can see yourself in their stories. They might just convince you to join the team.

• Justice Studies Networking Day (scroll down to Activities & Events heading) is happening October 31 in the Trades Building at Lethbridge Polytechnic

• Trades at Lethbridge Polytechnic

• Mounties (Nickname for the RCMP)

• I COULD NOT find any pictures!! Send them to [email protected] (and Allie 😉) if you find any! 

CTLI leaders Christie Robertson (Associate Dean), Lexi Schaerz (Learning Experience Design Manager), Jaddon Park (Academic Services Manager), and Mark Davids (Accessibility Services Manager) discuss our recent transition from a college to a polytechnic.

The group expand on what this change means for CTLI, and how our mandate – though largely the same in striving to create the most meaningful learning experiences possible – has become more clearly defined through the redesignation process.

During the podcast, Donna (host) and guests mention:

• Lethbridge Polytechnic: Our Polytechnic  

• Trades 

• Learning Experience Design 

• Testing Services 

• Getting Started with Accessibility Services (for students) 

• STAR Grant 

LITL-Pod hits the road–well, technically just across campus– to hear about Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)!

Guests Kristen DeMone, Natalie Barfuss, and Stephanie Wierl, share how WIL

1. helps instructors create industry connections in the community

This trio answers questions about WIL from a live audience, and they dig deep into why WIL is an integral part of the learning experience at Lethbridge Polytechnic (formerly Lethbridge College).

During the show, guests and host (Donna) mention:

• Work-integrated Learning at Lethbridge Polytechnic

• Business Administration 

• Integrated Marketing Communication 

• Adapted Physical Activity class: An examination of various psychomotor disabilities. The application of the impact and challenges of physical activity delivery to persons with disabilities.

• City Scholars  

“How can we produce food... and reduce our footprint?” – John Derksen, Chair of the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence

John Derksen, Chair of the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence, and Dr. Nick Savidov, Senior Research Scientist at the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence take us on a deep dive into aquaponics!  

They explain how their aquaponics facility works, including their state-of-the-art biofiltration technology that’s taking reduce, reuse, recycle to a whole new level. With a proper set up, aquaponics creates a synergistic ecosystem where fish, plants, and microorganisms can thrive indefinitely. 

John and Nick also share about upcoming applied research projects, and about their microcredential series which have garnered the interest of – and collaboration with – the largest aquaponics association in the world. 

References: 

• Peruse Aquaponics Microcredentials here!

• Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms like fish, shrimp, or aquatic plants in controlled environments, such as tanks or ponds, for food or commercial purposes. 

• E24: An Exploration of Immersive Technology Inspiring Lifelong Movement 

• HPS – high-pressure sodium 

• High Bay LED lighting is an energy-efficient fixture design that brightly illuminates large indoor spaces with high ceilings, such as warehouses or factories, using long-lasting LED technology 

• Agriculture, Food, and Environment 

• Lethbridge College Bookstore 

• Read more about Lethbridge College’s Aquaponics plant food on this page (scroll to the bottom)

Doctor Bhuvinder Vaid, an Education Developer from Capilano University, and Doctor Gwen Nguyen and Britt Dzioba who are Advisors on the Learning and Teaching team at BCcampus, join the pod for a sustained conversation around positionality.

During the episode, Gwen, Bhuvinder, Britt and Donna (host) mention:

• BCcampus 

• Esquimalt and Songhees (also known as Victoria, BC) 

Joshua Hill, an instructor at Lethbridge College, shares about his exciting course-build on Environmental Psychology and Conservation. 

Josh explains how this course can help students better understand the psychological motivations in choosing certain behaviours over others in wildlife settings and interactions.

Because the topic is so broad, Josh found it challenging to wrangle his ideas into a manageable course – and this is where he appreciated help from CTLI and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).

Through personalized guidance, and access to SoTL, Josh was able to focus his idea into meaningful and digestible content. This will ultimately enable students to graduate with practical, applicable skills for their industry.

During the podcast, Josh and Donna mention: 

• The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

• ExploreYQL 

• Alberta invests in program to stop grizzlies from wandering onto farms (CBC News) 

• General Arts and Science

Nelson Lateeph, host of Under The Bridge – Tha Podcast, sits down with Donna and Jordana to talk about his experience moving to Lethbridge with his family from Cape Town, South Africa.

Nelson is passionate about social development in the city, and has some practical ideas on how international students (and newcomers in general) can get more involved with their community to foster a greater sense of joy and belonging.

During this conversation, Donna, Nelson, and Jordana mention:

• Under The Bridge - Tha Podcast

In this thought-provoking episode, we recognize Black History Month (BHM) with a meaningful panel discussion featuring Lethbridge College students: Sharon Boit, Susan Samaila, and Raihau-Milz Izonyobore.

The trio discuss the significance of BHM events at the college, and share heart-felt dialogue about Black culture and identity, including influences like language, education, tradition, and intersectionality.

During the episode, Sharon, Susan, Raihau, and Donna (host) mention:

• List of BHM events at Lethbridge College 

• Register for a meal kit HERE 

• Thirsty Thursday