| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.36 |
| Liaison | Allison Maxted |
| Submission Date | Feb. 17, 2022 |
Mohawk College
AC-8: Campus as a Living Laboratory
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Nicolai
Strabac Sustainable Programs and Services Coordinator Sustainability Office/Facilities Services |
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Campus Engagement:
Accessible Media Production Capstones
Mohawk’s Accessible Media Production graduate program is the first of its kind in Ontario and focuses on creating and producing accessible content across all media platforms. The program is offered through an executive delivery format with students learning theory online during the week and hands-on experiences every Saturday. Students complete capstone projects with an industry partner and frequently apply their learning to Mohawk College programs and services, including developing tools for employee engagement and training in accessibility. 2020/21 capstone projects included partnerships with Mohawk College Library, the Career Pathways Program, and the Deaf Empowerment Program.
https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/programs/graduate-studies/accessible-media-production-390
Impact Areas:
• Campus Engagement
• Diversity & Affordability
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Public Engagement?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Public Engagement:
The Clinic – Massage Therapy
Students in the Health, Wellness and Fitness and Massage Therapy programs gain hands-on skills as part of their program through the on-campus massage therapy clinic. This facility is offered as part of the college’s wellness offerings and services both students and employees, as well as the general public. A second location of the clinic is hosted off-campus in Hamilton’s St. Elizabeth Village, which is home to a retirement community and long-term care facilities.
Impact Areas:
• Work & Wellness
• Public Engagement
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Air & Climate?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Air & Climate:
The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation
In 2018, Mohawk College opened the 8,981 m2 (96,670 ft2) Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation (JCPI) building, becoming Canada's largest NZEB and zero-carbon institutional facility. The building integrated a high-efficiency design, construction materials, and technologies, as well as renewable energy technologies to significantly reduce its annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the JCPI building was also designed as a living lab where students, faculty, researchers and industry are able to monitor and validate the performance of this state-of-the-art facility. Students have access to all areas of energy systems in the buildings for research and testing. Most recently, capstone project students analyzed data from the solar PV panels in order to compare their theoretical vs. actual performance.
Impact Areas:
• Air & Climate
• Buildings
• Energy
Energy Systems
In addition to the Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation, students experience applied research in power, solar, wind energy using the state-of-the-art grid/microgrid at the Stoney Creek Energy Research Station. Students from a variety of programs are also able to study from a real life example of a building that runs on renewable energy at the Sustainable Resource Centre.
Impact Areas:
• Air & Climate
• Buildings
• Energy
TDM Audit
The Transportation Engineering Technology Advanced Diploma does an active transportation audit on the campus every year as a means to develop their planning and management strategies. Their information is then used to create a Transportation Demand Management report that informs decision-making on TDM planning and reducing Scope 3 emissions.
Impact Areas:
• Transportation
• Air & Climate
Environmental Technician Program
Mohawk’s Environmental Technician Program focuses on exploring the technology and science geared toward protecting the environment and human health. The program extensively uses the campus as a living lab in a variety of courses. For example:
• Testing for a water treatment course. Students test water quality on in the Indigenous Three Sister's Garden Pond, the I-Wing Fish Pond, the Community Garden Rainwater Harvester and the bathroom tap water for dissolved oxygen and bacteria. For these water testing projects, students can use any place on the College grounds to test water quality. Students also use the indoor fish pond for a source of raw water for a "breakpoints chlorination' experiment.
• Air quality audits. Students study the fundamentals of audits and conduct an audit on air and energy as part of their program. Students have full access to a rooftop air quality monitoring station.
• Waste audits. Students conduct a waste audit on campus each year as a means of learning about the fundamentals of solid waste.
• Soil testing. Students test soil in the Community Garden and Fennell Orchard as part of their program.
Impact Areas:
• Water
• Waste
• Grounds
• Air & Climate
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Buildings?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Buildings:
The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation
In 2018, Mohawk College opened the 8,981 m2 (96,670 ft2) Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation (JCPI) building, becoming Canada's largest NZEB and zero-carbon institutional facility. The building integrated a high-efficiency design, construction materials, and technologies, as well as renewable energy technologies to significantly reduce its annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the JCPI building was also designed as a living lab where students, faculty, researchers and industry are able to monitor and validate the performance of this state-of-the-art facility. Students have access to all areas of energy systems in the buildings for research and testing. Most recently, capstone project students analyzed data from the solar PV panels in order to compare their theoretical vs. actual performance.
Impact Areas:
• Air & Climate
• Buildings
• Energy
Energy Systems
In addition to the Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation, students experience applied research in power, solar, wind energy using the state-of-the-art grid/microgrid at the Stoney Creek Energy Research Station. Students from a variety of programs are also able to study from a real life example of a building that runs on renewable energy at the Sustainable Resource Centre.
Impact Areas:
• Air & Climate
• Buildings
• Energy
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Energy?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Energy:
The Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation
In 2018, Mohawk College opened the 8,981 m2 (96,670 ft2) Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation (JCPI) building, becoming Canada's largest NZEB and zero-carbon institutional facility. The building integrated a high-efficiency design, construction materials, and technologies, as well as renewable energy technologies to significantly reduce its annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Furthermore, the JCPI building was also designed as a living lab where students, faculty, researchers and industry are able to monitor and validate the performance of this state-of-the-art facility. Students have access to all areas of energy systems in the buildings for research and testing. Most recently, capstone project students analyzed data from the solar PV panels in order to compare their theoretical vs. actual performance.
Impact Areas:
• Air & Climate
• Buildings
• Energy
Energy Systems
In addition to the Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation, students experience applied research in power, solar, wind energy using the state-of-the-art grid/microgrid at the Stoney Creek Energy Research Station. Students from a variety of programs are also able to study from a real life example of a building that runs on renewable energy at the Sustainable Resource Centre.
Impact Areas:
• Air & Climate
• Buildings
• Energy
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Food & Dining?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Food & Dining:
Grounds and Gardens as a Living Lab
Mohawk’s 49-plot community garden, native plant and pollinator gardens, rain gardens and other outdoor spaces on campus act as a living lab for many to learn about sustainable landscaping, growing food, and nutrition. Here are two examples:
• Mohawk’s Community Integration through Co-Operative Education (CICE) program offers students with intellectual disabilities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education, prepare for success in entry level work, build independence and self-advocacy skills for adult life. The garden is used by the CICE program to develop a variety of skills, including knowledge of how food is grown.
• Mohawk’s City School provides free, credit-granting post-secondary and employment courses to community members. The Landscaping Maintenance Skills course is designed to increase awareness of careers in landscaping and grounds maintenance. Using the campus and community garden as a living lab, students learn landscaping practical skills like planting, weeding, mulching, and turf mowing and trimming.
Impact Areas:
• Food & Dining
• Grounds
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Grounds?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Grounds:
Grounds and Gardens as a Living Lab
Mohawk’s 49-plot community garden, native plant and pollinator gardens, rain gardens and other outdoor spaces on campus act as a living lab for many to learn about sustainable landscaping, growing food, and nutrition. Here are two examples:
• Mohawk’s Community Integration through Co-Operative Education (CICE) program offers students with intellectual disabilities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to pursue a postsecondary education, prepare for success in entry level work, build independence and self-advocacy skills for adult life. The garden is used by the CICE program to develop a variety of skills, including knowledge of how food is grown.
• Mohawk’s City School provides free, credit-granting post-secondary and employment courses to community members. The Landscaping Maintenance Skills course is designed to increase awareness of careers in landscaping and grounds maintenance. Using the campus and community garden as a living lab, students learn landscaping practical skills like planting, weeding, mulching, and turf mowing and trimming.
Impact Areas:
• Food & Dining
• Grounds
Environmental Technician Program
Mohawk’s Environmental Technician Program focuses on exploring the technology and science geared toward protecting the environment and human health. The program extensively uses the campus as a living lab in a variety of courses. For example:
• Testing for a water treatment course. Students test water quality on in the Indigenous Three Sister's Garden Pond, the I-Wing Fish Pond, the Community Garden Rainwater Harvester and the bathroom tap water for dissolved oxygen and bacteria. For these water testing projects, students can use any place on the College grounds to test water quality. Students also use the indoor fish pond for a source of raw water for a "breakpoints chlorination' experiment.
• Air quality audits. Students study the fundamentals of audits and conduct an audit on air and energy as part of their program. Students have full access to a rooftop air quality monitoring station.
• Waste audits. Students conduct a waste audit on campus each year as a means of learning about the fundamentals of solid waste.
• Soil testing. Students test soil in the Community Garden and Fennell Orchard as part of their program.
Impact Areas:
• Water
• Waste
• Grounds
• Air & Climate
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Purchasing?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Purchasing:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Transportation?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Transportation:
TDM Audit
The Transportation Engineering Technology Advanced Diploma does an active transportation audit on the campus every year as a means to develop their planning and management strategies. Their information is then used to create a Transportation Demand Management report that informs decision-making on TDM planning and reducing Scope 3 emissions.
Impact Areas:
• Transportation
• Air & Climate
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Waste?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Waste:
Environmental Technician Program
Mohawk’s Environmental Technician Program focuses on exploring the technology and science geared toward protecting the environment and human health. The program extensively uses the campus as a living lab in a variety of courses. For example:
• Testing for a water treatment course. Students test water quality on in the Indigenous Three Sister's Garden Pond, the I-Wing Fish Pond, the Community Garden Rainwater Harvester and the bathroom tap water for dissolved oxygen and bacteria. For these water testing projects, students can use any place on the College grounds to test water quality. Students also use the indoor fish pond for a source of raw water for a "breakpoints chlorination' experiment.
• Air quality audits. Students study the fundamentals of audits and conduct an audit on air and energy as part of their program. Students have full access to a rooftop air quality monitoring station.
• Waste audits. Students conduct a waste audit on campus each year as a means of learning about the fundamentals of solid waste.
• Soil testing. Students test soil in the Community Garden and Fennell Orchard as part of their program.
Impact Areas:
• Water
• Waste
• Grounds
• Air & Climate
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Water?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Water:
Environmental Technician Program
Mohawk’s Environmental Technician Program focuses on exploring the technology and science geared toward protecting the environment and human health. The program extensively uses the campus as a living lab in a variety of courses. For example:
• Testing for a water treatment course. Students test water quality on in the Indigenous Three Sister's Garden Pond, the I-Wing Fish Pond, the Community Garden Rainwater Harvester and the bathroom tap water for dissolved oxygen and bacteria. For these water testing projects, students can use any place on the College grounds to test water quality. Students also use the indoor fish pond for a source of raw water for a "breakpoints chlorination' experiment.
• Air quality audits. Students study the fundamentals of audits and conduct an audit on air and energy as part of their program. Students have full access to a rooftop air quality monitoring station.
• Waste audits. Students conduct a waste audit on campus each year as a means of learning about the fundamentals of solid waste.
• Soil testing. Students test soil in the Community Garden and Fennell Orchard as part of their program.
Impact Areas:
• Water
• Waste
• Grounds
• Air & Climate
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Coordination & Planning:
N/A
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Diversity & Affordability:
Accessible Media Production Capstones
Mohawk’s Accessible Media Production graduate program is the first of its kind in Ontario and focuses on creating and producing accessible content across all media platforms. The program is offered through an executive delivery format with students learning theory online during the week and hands-on experiences every Saturday. Students complete capstone projects with an industry partner and frequently apply their learning to Mohawk College programs and services, including developing tools for employee engagement and training in accessibility. 2020/21 capstone projects included partnerships with Mohawk College Library, the Career Pathways Program, and the Deaf Empowerment Program.
https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/programs/graduate-studies/accessible-media-production-390
Impact Areas:
• Campus Engagement
• Diversity and Affordability
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Investment & Finance:
Is the institution utilizing its infrastructure and operations as a living laboratory for applied student learning for sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work?:
A brief description of the projects and how they contribute to understanding or advancing sustainability in relation to Wellbeing & Work:
The Clinic – Massage Therapy
Students in the Health, Wellness and Fitness and Massage Therapy programs gain hands-on skills as part of their program through the on-campus massage therapy clinic. This facility is offered as part of the college’s wellness offerings and services both students and employees, as well as the general public. A second location of the clinic is hosted off-campus in Hamilton’s St. Elizabeth Village, which is home to a retirement community and long-term care facilities.
Impact Areas:
• Work & Wellness
• Public Engagement
Website URL where information about the institution’s living laboratory program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.