OLDS — Olds College of Agriculture & Technology (OCAT) and the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) are teaming up to bring agriculture technology classes to Calgary high school students.
Those classes will be offered through the college’s dual-credit program and as part of the CBE’s Unique Pathways program.
Students in CBE high schools will be able to earn high school and college credits while learning about agriculture technology.
The first course will be offered to Calgary high school students in Grades 11 or 12 during the second semester this February. Students will earn five high school credits, and three post-secondary credits by completing the course.
“We are very excited to partner with the CBE to bring agriculture education to urban learners,” Jay Steeves, dean of the OCAT’s Werklund School of Agriculture Technology says in the release.
“Agriculture is an exciting industry that offers many career opportunities that include both urban and rural settings.
“We are looking for students who are interested in robotics, technology, business and problem-solving.
“Agriculture offers careers with corporations in downtown Calgary, to careers in rural farm settings.”
CBE Education Director Ken Weipert says the first course under the partnership will be ATI3002 Design Thinking in Agriculture.
“Taught by an Olds College faculty member, students will explore design thinking processes and methodologies in agriculture technology in a project-based team environment,” Weipert says in the release.
“Students will use different technologies (3D printing, robotics, etc.) to design, create, test and evaluate a prototype that addresses an issue in the booming agriculture industry.
“This course will break down barriers connecting future technology jobs in the agriculture industry to urban students.”
