2015 CRC Robotics Competition

Volume M14, Issue No. 6, February 23, 2015

Intercom is published regularly and serves to inform Vanier staff and teachers of notices and special events. It is posted on the Vanier College Website and distributed electronically. Submissions should be sent to [email protected]. Submissions should be in WORD, and sent as an attachment. No formatting or bullets. Deadline: 4:00 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding publication.

Competition to find a new Vanier Slogan Vanier International Business Administration Exchange students shine at Belgian Entrepreneurship Competition I am writing to update the community about the competition to find a new slogan for Vanier College. This past December, Vanier students, Sabina Khan, Brandon Correia and Samantha Proulx, who were in Belgium from August th On January 26 the Vanier Communications and Corporate to December participating in the International Business Affairs Department launched a competition inviting faculty, Administration Exchange program with the Haute École de la students and staff to submit their proposals for a new Vanier Province de Liège, entered an international Entrepreneurship th slogan. The deadline for submissions was February 13 . I am competition in Belgium. pleased to inform you that more than 400 entries were received. I would like to thank everyone who participated.

In the coming weeks a selection committee will begin evaluating all of the submissions. Once the committee has decided on the top five entries an on-line poll will be held via Omnivox whereby all members of the community can cast their votes. The choice that receives the most votes will become the new slogan for Vanier College and will appear on select official college documents. The winner as well as the second and third choices will be announced sometime in mid-March. In total, $250 in

prizes will be awarded to the winners. Sabina’s team consisting of fellow students from Turkey, Mexico,

Darren Becker, Communications and Corporate Affairs Indonesia, Taiwan and Belgium, finished second in this demanding international competition. MIDTERM ASSESSMENT – Day Division I was fortunate enough to attend the event last year and I can tell

you first-hand that it is a real-world experience where students In order to give day division students an indication of their take part in a real trade show that enables them to create a academic standing, the Midterm Assessment module will be professional trade booth; forces them to attract sponsors from available on the OMNIVOX portal starting on Monday, March 2. the local business community; and gives them the opportunity to The deadline for submission of student ratings is at midnight on develop a new product concept. Friday, March 13.

Sabrina’s team created the Crystal Drop, an innovative Instructions for online submission of Midterm Assessments will showerhead that allows the person taking a shower to save water be forwarded to all day teachers on Friday, February 27. If you and money at the same time. The Crystal Drop showerhead has have any questions regarding Midterm Assessments, please call three unique functions to help consumers reduce the amount of Popie Marinakis at 7108. water they use in the shower.

Thomas Ingerman, Registrar For the competition, student teams must present their new We want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have product in front of a packed auditorium of guests. Once the supported our efforts over the past year and hope that you will presentations are finished the presenters, judges and guests join us on May 8th in the Auditorium to hear more about our proceed to the trade show setting. The goal of the event is to get experiences in Africa. We will be speaking in the context of this votes and funding from the judges who are business people from year's annual Nursing conference whose theme is "What the city and the surrounding region. Difference Does Difference Make?"

It is a hands-on learning event and a wonderful chance for You can follow our blog at: students to compete, to present and to defend their concept in a www.malawinursingexchange.wordpress.com. setting that teaches them valuable lessons about business and teamwork. Melodie Hicks, Nursing

Congratulations to Sabrina and her team for their original idea Math and Science Centre and for their excellent work and outstanding performance during the event.

George Dracopoulos, Business Administration

$6500 raised to support the Vanier College Malawi Nursing Exchange

Science Week 2015: Reserve a spot for your class!

This year, Science Week will take place from March 23rd to 27th.

You can look forward to the following presentations along with several activities which will be announced in a later intercom release:

Monday, March 23rd 10am (Auditorium) “McGill IEEE Student Branch – Opportunities That Await You” by Mohammad Hossain Mohammadi and Ahmad Muannaki, McGill

undergraduate students

Over 50 volunteers from the Nursing Department and C.O.R.E th (Campus Organization Reaching Every soul) put their efforts Tuesday, March 24 10am (Auditorium) together to raise money for the Malawi Nursing Exchange 2015. “Politics + $$ - science = climate change status quo” by Richard Dugas, Vanier College Sustainability Office

Students baked and decorated th delicious Valentine's Day Wednesday, March 25 1:30pm (Auditorium) cupcakes and ran the canteen “Mastering Nature: Using Biotechnology to Investigate Chitosan over three days at this year's Production” by Liem Dam-Quang, Honour’s Science student & CRC Robotics Competition. BioGENIUS participant

Proceeds exceeded $6,500 and th will be used to defray the travel Thursday, March 26 10am (Auditorium) costs for the six nursing “The Strange Paradoxes Found in Mathematics” by Julie Plante, Vanier College Mathematics Department students who will be th completing their final stage Friday, March 27 11:30am (Auditorium) abroad in Malawi. “Decoding Life: DNA Barcodes for Species Identification” by Edward Awad, Ph.D., Vanier College Biology Department With just one month left until their departure, students are If you are interested in bringing your class to any of the talks busy receiving their final listed above, please send an email to [email protected] to vaccinations, organizing huma- confirm a spot. All classes are welcomed. nitarian aid and completing course work. More information will soon be live at http://vaniercollege.qc.ca/msc/science-week

Math/Science Reviews during UB A special thanks also goes out to the Vanier College Student Here is our first set of reviews that run from 12-1:30pm during Association (VCSA), McDonalds Canada, Dev Team Bana, Universal Break. All students are welcomed and registration is ExperEDU, Carrosserie Auto-Cité, Rona Pierrefonds, Multicade required here: http://bit.ly/hVuZ4y Canada, and the ISA for their sponsorship. We cannot wait to show you what we have in store for next year! Calculus 2 - D508 with Prof. Mike Besner – Feb. 25th NYA/B Chemistry - D505 with Prof. Mauro Di Renzo – Feb 25th STEM Centre Design Competition th Linear Algebra - D508 with Prof. Mike Besner – Mar. 4 Waves/Mechanics - D506 with Prof. Rhys Adams – Mar. 4th

CRC Robotics Competition: Vanier wins it!

We are pleased to announce that Vanier College plans to transform the current Math & Science Centre into the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Centre. This change is set to take place when the Library renovations are undertaken. In anticipation of the change, we are interested in having our students offer their vision for the new Centre.

Specifically, we are looking for teams of students to submit proposals for three spaces within the upcoming STEM Centre: the Think Tank, Hackerspace, and Study Hub. All Vanier students are Starting over the summer break, a dedicated group of thirty-five welcome to participate and there are several large cash prizes up Vanier students stemming from a number of different academic for grabs for the top ranking proposals. For more information, programs began a journey to design and build a robot, construct visit http://stem.vaniercollege.qc.ca a kiosk, program a website and produce a video. In early February, Vanier finally competed. No registration is required and all students are welcomed!

Vanier's Robotics Team Science, on tourne! Engineering Competition achieved the seemingly impossible and came in 1st Info for this year's competition is now live! It can place overall against 30 be viewed via the MSC website: different schools. In http://vaniercollege.qc.ca/msc/science-on- particular, our team won 1st tourne.php.The competition will take place on place for video, web design, March 27th and there are several cash prizes to and web journalism; 2nd be won! Interested students can sign up online place for robot design, and in groups of up to 3 students: kiosk; and finally, 3rd place http://bit.ly/hVuZ4y for sportsmanship. In addition, the team's fast An information session to explain the game will take place on th moving tank-like robot made it to the semi-finals before February 25 starting at 12pm in room E-509. unfortunately being knocked out due to stiff competition from the leading teams. Up to 30 hours can go towards the STAR Program.

The CRC competition name has been announced and the team University Student Panel will be in full swing preparing for Pythagorean 2016 after a few Vanier alumni students currently studying in undergraduate weeks of much needed rest. programs at Concordia and McGill will be present on Friday,

February 27th at 1pm (B-429) to share their experiences about Finally, the team would like to extend a thank you to the university and discuss the differences between CEGEP and following faculty and staff members for their guidance and undergrad studies. support throughout the journey: John Lynch and the services team, Stephen Cohen, Rhys Adams, Stephen Newbigging, Mike Do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact us at Besner, Karl Laroche, Mauro Di Renzo, Didier Brulé-Champagne, [email protected] with any inquiries. Furthermore, please Pamela Espinosa, Chris Amos, Bruce Coupethwaite, the Vanier TV encourage your students to visit us. team, and Vanier Security Services for their patience during our long work nights. Haritos Kavallos, Math & Science Centre Vanier Music students move on to Cégep en Spectacle writing afterwards. This is a great opportunity for students to win Regional finals some money and see their work published.

The deadline is Friday, March 27th. For more information, students can see Kim in The Learning Centre, B205-D or Vanier’s Events page. Electronic submissions only, please: http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/tlc/creative-writing-contest- signup/

I appreciate your help in promoting this contest.

Kim Muncey, The Learning Centre

Teaching Tip: Studio-based Learning

Congratulations to the 2015 CEGEPS en Spectacle local Vanier winners, a group called «La Vie en Rouge», made up of five Vanier Music students: singer: Sophie Belisle, and band members: Shaid M. Salam, Adam Hebert, Alphonso Diaz, and Giancarlo Cianciulli.

These wonderful and talented Music students will now move on to the Regional finals at CEGEP André- Laurendeau on March 21, 2015, where they will compete with 11 other CEGEPS to move on to the National finals.

Tickets ($12.00) are on sale in Student Services (C-203). Please "Painting students art league school" by George - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons support our very talented students. Studio-based learning is a problem-based learning teaching Danielle Brown, Student Services method that can be used when students work on a project or a problem. The classroom functions as an art studio would, with 9th Annual Health Promotion Fair 2015 the teacher walking around the class answering questions and giving feedback to students on their work. This is one of the great On Wednesday March 11th from 9 am to 2 pm in the Student benefits of studio-based learning, since other students overhear Mall, third year Nursing students will, once again, be manning 16 the feedback and comments, which may help correct booths on Health Promotion geared towards our Vanier College misconceptions students were either too nervous to voice or students. unaware they even had.

This year’s edition of the fair will include topics such as STIs, The goals of studio-based learning are to give students the addiction, risk taking, junk food and social media. opportunity to engage in an authentic learning experience where they can get immediate feedback on their work from the teacher The Nursing students have been working on their projects since and their peers. Studio-based learning has traditionally been used the autumn. Show your support for the hardworking Nursing in fields like fine arts and architecture. However, this kind of students by visiting their information booths during Universal teaching can be applied in any field were you can have students Break. working on a project or a problem. Elizabeth Frioud, Nursing Department Planning a Studio-based Lesson The Learning Centre’s Creative Writing Contest The key to studio-based learning is that students have to create something (a learning artifact) that puts together skills and The Learning Centre is having its annual creative writing contest! knowledge. This “object,” whether it’s a work of art, a three- It would be great if you could encourage any writers in your dimensional model, or an explanation of a solution to a problem, classes to participate. should require students to combine a number of skills they are learning in the course, allowing them to apply, analyze, evaluate There are two categories, Poetry and Fiction. There is first place and finally create (see Bloom’s Taxonomy). The learning activity ($100), second place ($75) and third place ($50) in each category. should also be connected to a specific course competency. Many of the entries are also published in a book of student You don’t have to give students step-by-step instructions on how PDO Workshops coming up to create the final product, but they should be given clear instructions on the expectations for their final product. The goal The Pedagogical Development Office will be holding several of studio-based learning is to allow students to plan this process workshops in the coming weeks. for themselves with the knowledge they have gained already from the course. Your role as a teacher will be to help guide See the flyer at the end of Intercom for details and descriptions. students as they are working on their projects. 1. Introduction to Geogebra For more detailed information on designing and assessing studio- Friday, February 27, 2015 based learning check out the University of New South Wales 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. D-210 Australia’s page on Assessing Studio-based Learning

Examples of Studio-based Activities 2. SMART Board Basics  Visual arts drawings, paintings, posters, collages, or Wednesday, March 4, 2015 portfolios 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. N-515  Three-dimensional models, architectural drawings, or prototypes (e.g. Circuit Boards) 3. Watch Your Language!  Solution proposals for Case Scenarios, Business Plans, Wednesday, March 4, 2015 Proposals, and Budgets 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. F-216  Solving complex problems that require an explanation of

the solution Jennifer Mitchell, Pedagogical Development Office  In-class essay or assignment workshops  Research based projects done in class Student Awards Ceremony  Creative or art projects expressing key concepts of the

course The Learning Centre will be holding a Student Awards Ceremony  Musical compositions, Poetry Writing th on Monday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. to honor all peer tutors and  Science models volunteers in the college. During this ceremony each  Concept Maps, Mind Maps, Diagrams, or Flow Charts tutor/volunteer will receive a Certificate of Merit from their  Curriculum Vitaes, Business Cards, and Advertising program supervisor. If you have any students who have been Campaigns tutoring or volunteering for your department and feel they should be included in the ceremony, please contact Pam Espinosa Teamwork or Going at it Alone in the Learning Centre at: [email protected]. Studio-based learning can be done in groups or individually. The key is that students are working on projects in the presence of Thank you. their peers. Whether they are working on their own project, or on a group project, this gives them the opportunity to see what Joanne Ellis, The Learning Centre other students are producing, compare it with their own work, and ask questions and get feedback from their peers and the Vanier Indigenous Circle teacher. “Studio classrooms are ideal for helping students think about their learning and develop better lifelong learning skills” Part of the Vanier Indigenous Circle’s mission is to increase Source: Geoscience webpage on studio teaching. cultural and linguistic awareness of Indigenous cultures on

campus. We will be presenting relevant facts and, since we are on Additional Resources unceded Mohawk territory, Mohawk words. The Studio Teaching Project toolkit for designing studio-based activities and assignments. Did you know that the first Residential school in Canada opened The Science Education Resource Center of Carleton College’s in 1870. The last federally funded residential school, located in Geoscience webpage on studio teaching Saskatchewan, closed in 1996. For more information regarding studio-based learning, please contact us at the PDO! Shé:kon, pronounced: say gohn, means hello in Kanien’kéha (the For this and more Teaching Tips, please visit the PDO web page Mohawk language)

Tim Campbell-Comerford, Jennifer Mitchell, Wilma Brown, Pedagogical Development Office Follow the link to find out more:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/a-timeline-of-residential- schools-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-1.724434

Marya Grant, David Piercey, Lisa Sparkes, & Jacky Vallée Vanier Indigenous Circle Steering Committee INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WEEK: 36 Years at Vanier sustainabilizing Vanier. We hope that you will come to hare your March 2nd – 6th, 2015 thoughts on these matters.

th For any comments, ideas, to participate or for general enquiries, Welcome to the 36 edition of please contact Richard Dugas, the Vanier Sustainability Officer. International Women’s Week!

International Women’s Week is Richard Dugas, Student Services developed by Women’s Studies and we would love to have every Third-Year Jazz Improvisation Recital member of the Vanier community come to at least one event. Please th join us! Universal Break this Wednesday, February 25 , once again finds us in the Auditorium, our ears and musical sensibilities in the Women’s Studies recognizes the capable hands of the Music Department's excellent third-year important contribution made by the improvisation combos directed by Nick Di Tomaso. VCSA Social Justice Committee and the VCSA Events. These jazz players from the three-year professional program always put on a super show. No doubt today will bring us more of Faculty: If you would like to bring a the same as they play a set of jazz standards for all to enjoy. class to an event, please MIO Evangeline Caldwell. For faculty who have already confirmed a class presence - we’re good. If you With February drawing to a close and Spring less than a month would like to offer a small assignment to your students without away, why not take the time to relax and enjoy this wonderful bringing the class, there is no need to MIO. free offering? It is always worth it.

Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth May, MP representing Glen Ethier, Department of Music

Saanich-Gulf Islands and Leader of the Green Party of Vanier Researchers: Get to Know R, A Free Software Canada rd Environment Used For Statistical Computing March 3 , Tuesday: 4:00 – 5:30 in the Auditorium Presented by Women’s Studies in partnership with the Sustainability Major On February 26, 2015, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., the Association pour la recherche au collégial (ARC) will be hosting a See the complete program at the end of Intercom for details and webinar entitled Le logiciel R : un logiciel libre de traitement de descriptions of all our speakers and presentations. données et d’analyse statistique, for those interested in combining statistics and free software. Evangeline Caldwell, Psychology Department For any researcher who is currently using or intends to use a Environmental assessment quantitative methodology, or any administrator who is required to perform statistical calculations, R will prove to be an invaluable

tool applicable to a wide range of fields, from finance and social In May of 2010, Vanier produced its first environmental sciences to biology and more. This open-source data processing assessment. This document draws an exhaustive portrait of and statistical analysis software contains more than 6,000 where our institution is in its environmental performance, the packages and can be used to manage data tables, perform chapter headings are Water, energy, transport, waste numerical calculations and statistical analyses as well as generate management, recycling, communications, hazardous material, graphics. contracts, paper, electronic equipment, cafeteria, and green initiatives. The purpose of the upcoming webinar is to compare R to other

statistical analysis software packages, to provide information on Five years later, it’s time to re-evaluate the situation. Students its unique features, and to demonstrate its data analysis have bene involved in data gathering in different forms since functionalities. ARC is offering this online training session to September and we’re now ready to start sharing some of the anyone who is at the point of developing a scientific or results with you, the Vanier community. institutional research project, researchers, and teachers and administrators at CEGEPs, private colleges, government-run As a first step, the Sustainability Board outside of student schools, and research or transfer groups, including college Services will be used to display information as it is made centres for technology transfer. available. This data will be more systematically presented in early April in a series of consultations: Water, Energy, Transport, Waste To make the information session accessible to as many people as Management, Grounds, Food services, Education and possible, a single online session will be offered on February 26, Communications. We hope that these meetings, to be held in 2015. Note that it will be possible to ask questions in either April, will allow us to formulate recommendations for French or English. Those who are unable to participate in this online session can access it offline for up to six months after this CRC Robotics Competition video: date.

For more information or to register for the webinar, please call 514-843-8491, or send an email to [email protected]. A registration fee will apply.

Nora Boyadjian Institutional & Pedagogical Development, Library & Research Office

News from VTV

Check out the VTV news Channel http://vtv.vaniercollege.qc.ca/category/vtv- news/ for the latest news stories on VTV. If you weren’t able to make it out to the Robotics Competition last week, check out this event video created by one of the robotics participants/VTV Volunteer, Alex Stojda. http://vtv.vaniercollege.qc.ca/2015/02/robotics-actimania-2015

VTV also created an EPIC TRAILER that played at the opening ceremonies of the event to get the participants “hyped!” It is now up online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAwHeEX_Fkw

Students Comment on Black History Month:

Finally, as part of Black History Month, VTV asked students what Black History Month meant to them. Take a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i21-432Dvg Reach the Vanier Community through VTV Today This Black History Month video is the inspiration for a larger VTV Today is a 2-minute weekly video segment, released every project on diversity at Vanier. Working with students from many Monday. It’s designed to keep the Vanier student body informed different backgrounds, VTV will produce a video that highlights of important events, dates and deadlines in the college. the richness of cultural diversity at Vanier. If you have any ideas for this video or would like to be part of the process, please get in If you have a news item that you would like included on our touch with Melodie Le Siege [email protected]. We weekly segment, just send an email to [email protected] will be holding a meeting very soon weeks to brainstorm ideas for with a few details. this important project.

See examples of VTV today here: Melodie Le Siège, Vanier Communications

http://vtv.vaniercollege.qc.ca/category/vtv-news/vtvtoday/ DIVERSITY at Vanier College Spreading the love!

VTV invited the Vanier community to send a message to a special someone during Valentine’s Day. The result was a fun video of Diverse is often a word used to describe Vanier but what does students sending warm wishes to their friends, family and that really mean for students? VTV is collaborating with over 20 significant others. Take a look: http://bit.ly/1Bj2DBS students from different backgrounds (cultural, economic, etc.) to create an important video on diversity at Vanier College.

This video project aims to highlight Vanier’s diversity and We will be holding a brainstorming session with students very demonstrate how it enriches the student experience. If you have soon and teachers and staff are also welcomed to attend. any ideas for this video or would like to be part of the planning process, please get in touch with Melodie Le Siege at Stay tuned for date, time and location. [email protected]. Melodie Le Siège, Vanier Communications

More thanks to everyone who helped make the CRC Robotics Competition a success

On the weekend of Feb 12-14 Vanier Hosted the CRC Robotics competition. Thirty one teams from thirty schools and CEGEPs came to Vanier to compete, and the event was a great learning experience, a wonderful spectacle and a great time.

The event would not have been possible without the help of countless people. Literally everyone who had any part in making this even possible was a joy to work with, and so I would like to extend a thank you to…

Rhys Adams Glen Ethier Chris Amos Brendan Flynn Mireille Béland Haritos Kavallos Mike Besner Karl Laroche Josh Berman Melodie Le Siège Darren Becker Eric Lozowy Normand Bernier John Lynch Loïc Boyer Bashir Mhawech Didier Brûlé-Champagne Philip Parenteau Danielle Brown Doug Robinson Brandon Calder Ritchie Salinas Marguerite Corriveau Gerry St-Pierre Mauro Di Renzo Gaetan Valiquette Nick Ditomaso Arlene Yamamoto

To Kevin Lenton and the Guerilla Science Volunteers To all our Kiosk Judges and Student Volunteers To Melodie Hicks and the Nursing Students who ran the canteen. To the services staff who went out of their way to accommodate our requests. To all those people and groups who gave up their space in the Sports Complex for us. To Eric Savard and his staff at the cafeteria for a delicious banquet To the dozens of other people around the college who have participated to making this year’s CRC a wonderful success.

… and to everybody who came and saw the event, contributing to the phenomenal energy of this year’s competition.

Stephen Newbigging, Science Program Coordinator

Capsule de français

Bonjour à tous et à toutes! Vous désirez vérifier vos connaissances en français? Rien de plus facile avec les capsules linguistiques. Voici les réponses de l’exercice de la semaine dernière :

1. Je doute qu’ils (venir) VIENNENT demain. 2. Il ne (venir) VIENT pas aujourd’hui. 3. Il ne (pouvoir) PEUT pas parler. 4. Elle n’est pas certaine qu’il (pouvoir) PUISSE venir. 5. Je ne pense pas qu’elle (comprendre) COMPRENNE la situation. 6. Elle ne (comprendre) COMPREND pas la situation.

Bravo à tous ceux et celles qui ont participé au concours!

Cette semaine, l’exercice est de niveau avancé. Voici une nouvelle règle et l’exercice correspondant :

L'accord des adjectifs de couleur

Les adjectifs de couleur simples s'accordent en genre et en nombre avec le nom qu'ils modifient. Par exemple: les fleurs rouges, la maison blanche, la robe bleue, etc.

Cependant, les adjectifs de couleur composés d'un nom (orange, olive, marron, chocolat, etc.) restent invariables. Par exemple: des chaises orange, des chemises marron, des divans chocolat, etc.

Lorsqu'un adjectif de couleur est formé de plusieurs mots, tous les éléments qui le composent sont invariables. Par exemple: une robe bleu pâle, elle a des yeux gris-vert, j'acheté des serviettes jaune doré, etc.

Exercice Accordez les adjectifs de couleur suivants:

1. Mes enfants ont choisi deux pantalons bleu____ et trois chemises vert_____ pâle____. 2. Il a acheté des camions jaune___ foncé___ pour son fils. 3. André a des yeux bleu____-vert___ . 4. La ville a acheté douze camions orange_____ 5. J'ai acheté des rubans blanc_____, vert_____, orange______et noir______.

Remplissez le coupon de participation suivant. Apportez vos réponses avant le vendredi 27 février 2015 à Isabelle Rivest, Département de français, soit par courrier interne, soit dans l’enveloppe que vous trouverez sur la porte du bureau K 307. À la fin de la session d’automne, un prix au goût de la France sera décerné à la personne ayant apporté le plus grand nombre de bonnes réponses. Bonne chance à tous et à toutes!

Coupon de participation

Nom______

Adresse courriel/email______

Numéro de téléphone______

Isabelle Rivest, département de français

Pedagogical Workshops – February & March 2015 1. Introduction to Geogebra Friday, February 27, 2015 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. D-210

Animator: Stephen Newbigging, Math Dept. A joint venture of the Math Department and the PDO

Geogebra is a free, powerful, and easy to use mathematical software application which allows teachers to create demonstrations and worksheets that combine algebra and geometrical constructions. The software can be embedded in Webworks to create innovative new problems or used in any computer lab or viewing room since it can be run either locally or as a web app. Finally, users of Geogebra have access to a vast databank of pre-created worksheets to use or modify as they see fit.

RSVP at [email protected] 2. SMART Board Basics Wednesday, March 4, 2015 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. N-515 Animator: Jen Mitchell, PDO Have you found yourself teaching in one of Vanier’s many active learning classrooms equipped with a SMART Board? Are you wondering how to get started on this new technology or want more practice? Join us for this workshop to learn what you can do with an interactive SMART Board. This will be a practical, hands-on workshop that will give you the opportunity to practice, play, and experiment with a SMART Board.

RSVP at [email protected] 3. Watch Your Language! Wednesday, March 4, 2015 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. F-216

Animators: Maggie McDonnell and Mary Johnson, LCAD Ever get the feeling that your students think you're talking to them in a foreign language? Does it sometimes seem that they just don't get the concepts you're teaching? Come explore the connections between learning, language and literacy skills, with a particular emphasis on how to help students identify and develop the skills they need to succeed in your discipline. LCAD: Language and Communication Across Disciplines

RSVP at [email protected]

Welcome to Vanier College’s 36th International 11:30 – 1:00 Sports Complex, G202 - Dance Workshop Women’s Week! Introduction to Contemporary Dance Melissa Spensieri Welcome to the 36th edition of International Women’s Week! International Melissa Spensieri began dancing when 3 years old, then teaching at the age Women’s Week is developed by Women’s Studies and we would love to have of 15, at Ecole de danse Johanne Marchand. In 2008, Melissa opened her every member of the Vanier community come to at least one event. Please own dance studio, Ecole de Danse Prestige, where she teaches Jazz, Tap, Lyri- join us! As a courtesy to our guest speakers, we ask members of the audience cal and Hip Hop dance. She is also a member of the DancEvolution Hip Hop to sit close to the stage. competition circuit and judges a number of Hip Hop competitions each year. Places are very limited. Please contact Natalie Carlino, MIO Women’s Studies recognizes the important contribution made by the VCSA Social Justice Committee and the VCSA Events. 12:00 – 1:30 Amphitheatre - Guest Speaker Empowering Women in Business Faculty: If you would like to bring a class to an event, please MIO Evangeline Caldwell. For faculty who have already confirmed a class presence -> we’re Lori Dermer good. If you would like to offer a small assignment to your students without Women’s Studies in partnership with Business Administration bringing the class, there is no need to MIO. and Commerce Lori Dermer is a Vanier College and McGill University graduate who has spent Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth May, MP representing Saanich- over 20 years in the corporate world. Eight years ago, she began her own Gulf Islands and Leader of the Green Party of Canada company, Dermer Consulting. She currently holds the position of Executive March 3rd, Tuesday: 4:00 – 5:30 Recruiter, recruiting people for senior management positions for business. Auditorium She is uniquely qualified to answer the following questions: What are the Presented by Women’s Studies in partnership with the Sustainability Major opportunities for women’s careers in the digital era? What do you need to know to negotiate your way through early career choices? How do you have Week Long Displays: Throughout the College: Challenges women face your contributions acknowledged by your employer? This presentation will around the world. Prepared by Janice Paquette’s Sociology of Health Nursing address those questions and give realistic advice from the business world. students. There will be an opportunity to engage in lively discussion. Please come with your questions. MONDAY, MARCH 2nd 1:00 – 2:30 Sports Complex, G202 - Dance Workshop Introduction to Hip Hop. 8:30 – 10:00 Auditorium - Guest Speaker Melissa Spensieri Canadian Supreme Court Landmark Decision on Sexual Harassment: How a Student Made this Happen Places are very limited. Please contact Natalie Carlino, MIO Dianna Janzen Evangeline 2:30 – 4:00 N536 - Guest Speaker Thirty-three years ago, when she was a 21-year-old student, Dianna Janzen The Goddess Returns Evangeline was one of two Winnipeg waitresses who endured sexual harass- Meri Fowler Wiccan High Priestess. ment at the hands of a co-worker. After a legal battle of almost 7 years, the The understanding and honouring of the Divine Feminine empowers wom- Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the harassment was discrimination and en to take back control of their lives. Empowered women translates to em- that the employer was responsible for the actions of their employees to each powered girls, and supported men and boys. Join Wiccan High priestess Meri other (Janzen v Platy Enterprises Ltd.) What does this landmark decision mean Fowler for a talk about women’s empowerment within Wicca, A Goddess today? How does one voice make a difference? What do I do if I am being ha- Centered spirituality. Seating is very limited: Please contact Gordon Aronoff, rassed at work? How do we speak up until all employers consistently step up? MIO, or [email protected] Let’s answer those questions by reflecting on that 7-year journey to the Su- preme Court. Today, Dianna holds a CMA designation (Certified Management Accountant) and delivers a multi variant perspective; as a survivor, as a parent and as a business professional. 2:30 – 4:00 Auditorium - Documentary Features cording artist. In her talk, she will highlight living in New York City as an artist Purity Myth: The Virginity Movement’s War Against as well as her two-fold career as a musician and co-owner of Brooklyn Luthe- Women, 2011 (46 minutes) rie, a highly regarded instrument repair and restoration shop. Mamie will By Jeremy Earp, Scott Morris, Jessica Valenti, Jason Young. also talk about the stories of some of the important and compelling female musicians who have played a part in shaping modern American music. The United States is obsessed with virginity from the media to schools to government agencies. The purity myth is an important and timely critique of Noon – 1:30 Auditorium - Guest Speaker about why this is so, and why it’s problematic for girls and women. Analyz- White Ribbon Campaign: Eliminating Violence Against Women ing cultural stereotypes and media messages, Jessica Valenti reveals the Sponsored by the VCSA in partnership with Women’s Studies overt and hidden ways our society links a woman’s work to her sexuality Michael Kaufman rather than to values like honesty, kindness, and altruism. With intelligence and wit, this film exposes the legal and social punishments that women who Michael Kaufman’s innovative approaches to engaging men and boys in dare have sex endure, while presenting a powerful argument that evaluating promoting gender equality and transforming their lives has taken him girls and women on their sexuality needs to stop. around the world. He is the co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, one of the largest men’s anti-violence programs, now present in over 57 coun- En la casa, la cama y la calle (At home, in bed and in the streets), tries around the world. Its basic principle is the importance of men and boys 2013 (36 minutes) speaking out against all forms of violence against women. The White Ribbon By Liz Miller Campaign (WRC) appeared in 1991; a call to action prompted by the Mon- treal Polytechnique massacre where 14 female engineering students were From a small country with a revolutionary history, comes a compelling TV killed because they were women. Michael Kaufman will speak of progress drama with a big vision. The documentary En la casa, la cama y la calle, fol- made and paths forward. lows an inspiring Nicaraguan women’s rights group, Puntos de Encuentro, as it works to end sexual violence at home, in bed and in the streets through a powerful blend of mainstream media and grassroots organizing. Puntos de 1:00 – 2:00 Metro Area - Contest Encuentro’s television family drama Contracorriente has reached millions of A VCSA Events and Social Justice Committee Contest viewers and is at the center of a campaign to prevent sexual exploitation and Do you know your feminism? trafficking in Central America and the Caribbean. Clara Levesque, VCSA Events Coordinator and Lida Aman, VCSA Social Justice Coordinator 4:00 – 5:30 Amphitheatre - Guest Speakers Feminism has historical roots and, throughout the years, has become more U.M.B.R.E.L.L.A. in partnership with Open Door Network inclusive. Feminism is a worldview that gave rise to a movement that aims U.M.B.R.E.L.L.A. for equality and identifies the oppressive nature of patriarchy. How well do Did you know that Vanier has a student LGBT and allies group called you think you know feminism? Answer some questions and win a prize on U.M.B.R.E.L.L.A.? They are involved in promoting campaigns in the college the Wheel of Fortune! that draw attention to LGBT status and rights in Canada and abroad. A panel of U.M.B.R.E.L.L.A. members will discuss their experiences and at- 2:30 – 4:00 Auditorium - Films titudes as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender college students. Come Pink or Blue? 2014 (7 minutes) see what they have to teach us about sexual orientation and gender identity Created, produced and directed by Barbara Bedont from the point of view of a college student. Let’s talk about gender neutral “Pink or Blue?” is a short observational documentary that asks how a child bathrooms. might express their gender identity if freed from societal pressures and gen- rd der stereotypes. Viewers tag along on a shopping trip where a mother gives TUESDAY, MARCH 3 her four-year-old child the freedom to select a Halloween costume, and wit- ness the mixed reactions at the child’s dance class. 10:00 - 11:30 Auditorium - Guest Speaker Musician, Historian, Luthier, Business Woman: Making it in Orchids: My Intersex Adventure 2010 (60 minutes) the World of Music by Phoebe Hart Mamie Minch Gen X filmmaker Phoebe Hart always knew she was different growing up -- Mamie Minch is a Brooklyn, NY based luthier, performing musician and re- but she didn’t know why. This award-winning documentary traces Phoebe’s voyage of self-discovery across Australia as an intersex person, a group of 10:30 - 12:00 Auditorium - Guest Speaker conditions formerly termed hermaphroditism. Learning only in her teens Men Rethinking Masculinity, Feminism and Homophobia that she was born with 46XY (male) chromosomes, Hart now seeks to under- Wade Davis stand her own story and the stories of other affected by this complex and In his own words: “For me, existing at the intersection of Black manhood, often shamed syndrome. Questioning rigidly defined constructs of gender, Black masculinity, sexuality and sports was the most dangerous place in the sexuality, and normality, often with lively humor, Orchids is an engaging world. As an athlete you have to consistently prove yourself; as a Black male portrait of survival, courage and reconciliation. athlete, ‘I’ felt the pressure to consistently prove myself, my masculinity and my sexuality. I lived under a microscope, at least I thought, and I never had 4:00 – 5:30 Auditorium - Keynote Speaker the opportunity to just be myself within the confines of a never-ending cycle Mother Earth of masculine performance. I was never alone. I was never able to relax…...” Women’s Studies in partnership with the Sustainability Major http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wade_Davis_%28American_football%29 Elizabeth May, MP representing Saanich-Gulf Islands and Leader Mr. Davis is a former NFL player and currently Executive Director of the You of the Green Party of Canada Can Play Project, an advocacy organization working to eradicate homopho- Elizabeth May is an environmentalist, writer, activist, lawyer, and teacher bia in professional sports. who became active in the environmental movement in the 1970s. She is the author of eight books, holds three honourary doctorates, and became an 12:00 – 1:30 Auditorium - Film and Panel Officer of the Order of Canada in 2005. During her formative years, Eliza- Girls Rising directed by Richard Robbins; followed by a panel beth May worked in her family’s restaurant and gift shop business. Elizabeth discussion May held the position of Associate General Council for the Public Interest Sponsored by the VCSA in partnership with Women’s Studies Advocacy Centre prior to becoming Senior Policy Advisor to the federal Clara Levesque, VCSA Events Coordinator and Lida Aman, VCSA minister of the Environment from 1986 until 1988. She became Executive Social Justice Coordinator Director of the Sierra Club of Canada in 1989, a position she held until March The movie tells the stories of nine girls from different parts of the world who 2006 when she became leader of the Green Party of Canada. In November face arranged marriages, child slavery, and other heartbreaking injustices. 2010, Newsweek magazine named her “one of the world’s most influential Despite these obstacles, the brave girls offer hope and inspiration. By get- women.” She was chosen (by a vote of all MPs) as Maclean’s magazine’s 2012 ting an education, they’re able to break barriers and create change. Each Parliamentarian of the Year, 2013 Hardest Working MP, 2014 Best Orator girl’s story was written by a renowned writer from her native country. and by the Hill Times in 2013 and 2014 as Hardest Working MP, Best Con- stituency MP and Best Public Speaker. It is a privilege to welcome her to the 12:00 – 1:30 Carrefour - Information Table Vanier community. Women and Nutrition Sponsored by Student Services WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4th Sandra Grant Sandra Grant will discuss women’s health & nutrition. An opportunity for ev- 8:30 – 10:00 Amphitheatre - Guest Speaker eryone to discuss healthier eating habits. Drop by and meet Vanier College’s Sexism, Homophobia, and Gender Online: Harnessing the Law to resident nutritionist. Counter Gendered Cyberbullying and Sexting Rebecca Katz 3:30 – 5:00 Auditorium - Guest Speaker An Introduction to Sex Worker’s Rights Cyberbullying and sexting are often front-page headlines, but media and the Robyn Maynard, Stella, l’amie de Mamie public sometimes ignore their gendered dimensions. In fact, sexism, homophobia, and related forms of discrimination are prevalent in online and There are many misconceptions about sex workers and the sex trade. Stella offline bullying and in sexting incidents. Rebecca Katz explores gendered is a community organization that is operated by and for sex workers. For 18 aspects of cyberbullying and sexting and assesses how various laws can years, they have advocated for social and legal rights, and against stigmatiza- counter them – or fail to do so. She also explores students’ practical legal tion. They also offer health, legal, and safety support to women who work in rights and remedies should they face these challenges themselves. the sex trade. This presentation will describe Stella, explain how sex workers protect their health and safety, as well as discuss the recent Supreme Court decision removing barriers to prostitution. THURSDAY, MARCH 5th Jessica Rusnak covers the Canadiens for TSN 960 and does sideline report- ing on the Montreal Impact for TSN; 10:00 – 11:30 Auditorium - Guest Speakers Amanda Stein co-hosts the weekend morning show: The Locker Room on Ladies of Ink TSN 690 and provides sportscasts to CJAD 800. Erika Doyon and Rian Desourdie Come hear a panel of four female sports broadcasters discussing how they Erika Doyan and Rian Desourdie are tattoo artists. They will offer a brief broke into the male dominated field of sports broadcasting. They will discuss overview of the tattoo industry including safety practices as well as how tat- their love of sport and why they wanted to work in this field. These present- toos have become more socially acceptable today. They will then discuss ers will share with us the reality of what it means to be a female sports the history of women in the tattooing industry and the challenges women journalist and discuss the sexism and misogyny they have encountered as face as tattoo artists. Examples of famous women tattoo artists and their females at work, with colleagues and even online. work will be presented. There will also be a discussion of how different com- munities view women who choose this form of body expression. Erica Doyan is the owner of Studio Artease. 2:30 – 4:00 Auditorium - Guest Speaker Tracey Deer and Mohawk Girls 11:30 – 1:00 Auditorium - Film Tracey Deer THE PUNK SINGER 2013 (80 minutes) Women’s Studies in partnership with the Vanier Indigenous Directed by Sini Anderson Circle Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the punk band Bikini Kill and dance-punk trio Tracey Deer is a Gemini Award winning Mohawk film director. Ms. Deer will Le Tigre, rose to national attention as the reluctant but never shy voice of the speak about becoming a filmmaker. She will also speak of specific events that riot grrrl movement. She became one of the most famously outspoken femi- have affected her home, Kahnawake, as well as herself personally. She will show nist icons, a cultural lightning rod. Her critics wished she would just shut-up, clips of Mohawk Girls and discuss the motivations behind the show. Mohawk and her fans hoped she never would. So in 2005, when Hanna stopped Girls is a half hour dramatic comedy about four young women figuring out how shouting, many wondered why. Through 20 years of archival footage and in- to be Mohawk in the 21st century. The series centers on four twenty-something timate interviews with Hanna, THE PUNK SINGER takes viewers on a fascinat- Mohawk women trying to find their place in the world. And, of course, trying to ing tour of contemporary music and offers a never-before-seen view into the find love. Torn between family pressure, tradition, obligation and the intoxicat- life of this fearless leader. ing freedom of the “outside world,” this fabulous foursome is on a mission to find happiness... and to find themselves.

1:00 – 3:00 In front of library entrance - Information Table 4:00 – 5:30 Auditorium - Film Concordia University Women in Engineering EMPIRE OF DIRT 2013 (99 Minutes) Karina Bagryan Peter Stebbing Like the sciences? Have you thought of pursuing engineering? Health Science Three generations of Canadian Aboriginal women find strength in fam- is not the only option for you! Former Vanier students and current Engi- ily while confronting addiction and dysfunction in rural Ontario. When her neering students at Concordia University are coming to talk about different daughter suffers an overdose, single mother Lena packs them both up opportunities and ways to succeed in the engineering field for both, male and heads to her estranged mother’s home far from the city. A model and and female students. Concordia University Women in Engineering Society recovering drug user herself, Lena knows well the dangers of addiction, and promotes the equality and success of engineering students. Come and ask a realizes that her daughter’s very life is at stake. However, before these three question! women can reclaim the future, they must first own up to the past.

1:00 – 2:30 Auditorium - Guest Speakers Women Sports Broadcasters Andie Bennett provides sports coverage, including the Canadiens, Alouettes and the Montreal Impact, on the morning show Daybreak of the CBC; Robyn Flynn is a producer, reporter & co-host at TSN Radio 690, as well as a technical producer at CJAD 800; FRIDAY, MARCH 6th Acknowledgements 8:30 – 10:00 Auditorium - Guest Speakers The IWW 2015 Steering Committee (Gordon Aronoff, Evangeline Caldwell, Women and Racism Natalie Carlino, Caroline Chwojka, Cheryl Donison, Judy Ingerman, Mau- Lida Aman, VCSA Social Justice Officer reen Jones, Maggie Kathwaroon, April Lepitre, Vanessa Vandergrift) are Dany Brown, Student Services very grateful for the help received from the following colleagues: Manda Fischer, Student at Vanier College Shana Stafiej, Learning Center Darren Becker, Normand Bernier, Shari Blaukopf, Loïc Boyer, Dany Brown, Valérie Simon, Vanier graduate and student at Simone de Beauvoir Institute Marisa Cannatelli, Silvana Cannatelli, Elana Cooperberg, Aruj Choudery This panel will address issues of racism from both a personal as well as a (Micromedia), Marguerite Corriveau, Mike Demole, Denis Lafontaine, Ivanka social justice perspective. The emphasis of this presentation/discussion is Hillel, Geeta Johal, Debbie Larin, Steve Leung, Zsofia Orszagh, Philip Paren- to identify strategies that help us minimize the negative effects of racism. teau, Sheree Sitahal, Nora Soukiassian, David Spadotto, Joan Taylor, Janelle These strategies may come from the personal, political and social fora. Audi- ence participation is encouraged. Villanueva.

11:30 – 1:00 Auditorium - Film For their generous support, a heartfelt thank you to: F.S.S.C.A.L., V.C.S.A., D’ICI ET D’AILLEURS 2008 (59 minutes) V.C.T.A., Open Door Network and the Micromedia Program. Produced and directed by Nada Raphael Nine women from Montreal reveal themselves to the camera. They are lesbian, bisexual and two-spirited. They come from Malaysia, Tunisia, Leba- non, Guinea and Ghana. Some are First Nations women. They reveal their sometimes painful, sometimes effortless passages leading to the acceptance of their sexual orientations, and share their views on homoparentality, For More Information relationships, families, and couples. Different stories of women who at one Women’s Studies point claimed the right to be themselves and today live with the happy, and sometimes unhappy, consequences of this self-affirmation. Evangeline Caldwell, coordinator [email protected] or MIO 1:00 – 2:30 Auditorium - Film Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathi (2008) 80 minutes Lisa Merton and Alan Dater Nine women from Montreal reveal themselves to the camera. They are lesbian, bisexual and two-spirited. They come from Malaysia, Tunisia, Leba- non, Guinea and Ghana. Some are First Nations women. They reveal their sometimes painful, sometimes effortless passages leading to the acceptance of their sexual orientations, and share their views on homoparentality, relationships, families, and couples. Different stories of women who at one point claimed the right to be themselves and today live with the happy, and sometimes unhappy, consequences of this self-affirmation.