Dec. 12th, 2011 – RBC Innovation Centre Pictures

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Laser keyboards!  Augmented reality!  Life-size touch screens!  These were just some of the impressive, futuristic technologies on display for students at the RBC Innovation Centre.  The Academy’s grade 10 Business class took a tour led by James Miller of some emerging technologies that the Royal Bank of Canada will be implementing in the near future to change the face of banking.  Students also heard from Nermeen Mikhail about the impressive array of accessible technologies for customers and employees with disabilities.  Jennifer Stott rounded out the experience with an engaging discussion about financial trends and how to avoid identity theft with the new bank card chip.  A big thanks to everyone at RBC for this awesome trip!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Visit the RBC Innovation Centre Website

Dec. 6th, 2011 – Interactive Banking Workshop

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Unlimited account interactions!  Student-friendly banking plans!  Extended week-day hours!  These are just some of the services that the Introduction to Business students learned today in an interactive banking workshop.  Perusing flyers and surfing online, students investigated how the Big 5 Canadian banks compete and what they offer their clients.  Stay tuned for a report on Friday’s upcoming trip to the RBC Innovation Centre!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Nov. 22nd, 2011 – Searching for Micrometeorites

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

Space dust is all around us…even in the alley next to our school!  Cathy McWatters, astronomy educator extraordinaire, led the Academy’s Astronomy Club in a hunt for micrometeorites – tiny particles of space rock weighing usually less than a gram and appearing as near-perfect circles under a microscope.  The best chance of collecting micrometeorites is after a meteor shower, so get your magnets ready because the Leonids will be peaking in the early hours of November 18!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Jun. 7th, 2011 – Water Exhibit at the ROM

YMCA Academy Experiential Learning, Science and Math

On Wednesday June 1st, the grade 9 and 10 science classes along with the grade 11 environment class walked over to the Royal Ontario Museum for a viewing of the limited time water exhibit.  The grade 9 class learned about the effects water can have on ecosystems, the grade 10 class about the role of water in the regulation of Earths climate and the grade 11 class about the role of water in the environment at large.  The exhibit also allowed for many hands on and interactive experiences, giving the students an opportunity to learn about the many interesting facts about water beyond the curriculum expectations.  During the end of the visit we also got the pleasure to experience the Edward Burtynsky Oil Exhibit.

Water Exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

May 26th, 2011 – Ubisoft visits the Academy!

YMCA Academy Community, Experiential Learning, Science and Math

The grade 11 media art class, grade 9 information tech class and grade 10 careers class gathered to listened to an engaging presentation by video-gamer extraordinaire Rick Hoskinson from UBISOFT in Toronto.  He spoke about his illustrious career in the gaming industry and the many popular games that he has worked on over the years.  He also gave students some guidance around post-secondary programs in a variety of jobs the technical, artistic and business sides of things.  Best game of the year:  Barbie Horse Adventures!!!  Thanks, Rick, and keep up the good work.