Learning Innovation: The Teaching & Learning Podcast

What does it take to become a professional baker? In this episode of Learning Innovation: The Teaching and Learning Podcast, host Kris Hodgson-Bright steps inside the bakeshop at Lethbridge Polytechnic to explore the challenges, creativity, and rewards of learning the baking trade through apprenticeship and work-integrated learning (WIL). Joining the conversation are culinary instructor Amanda Kawchuk, third-level baking apprentice and instructional assistant Karl Atkins, and Level 3 culinary students Rachel Warken, Rowan Desserre, and Kathleen Klink. Together, they share stories from the kitchen, lessons learned through trial and error, and the pride that comes with mastering a craft built on precision, patience, and persistence. The episode explores the realities of culinary education, the value of mentorship, the pathway to Red Seal certification, and opportunities through competitions like Skills Alberta and Skills Canada. The conversation also touches on how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape the culinary world and what it could mean for future chefs and bakers. The Bear TV Show Apprenticeship AB Skills Alberta Skills Canada Provincial Skills Competition National Skills Competition Local Producers Gala Bootsma Bakery Alan Dumonceaux at NAIT

Stone Pipe Days is a four-day event recognizing the pride, history, and culture of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) community here at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Jordan Head, Indigenous Cultural Advisor, is a key organizer for this year's Stone Pipe Days, and he joins us to share all about this special event. Jordan outlines the agenda (opening ceremonies, meals, guest speakers, films, a traditional powwow), and he expands on the meaningful partnership Stone Pipe Days represents between the Blackfoot people and the polytechnic. He also shares a piece of his personal journey, including how his family inspired and guided him toward education – which eventually led him full circle back to Lethbridge Polytechnic. During the show, Jordan and Donna (host) mention: Stone Pipe Days (March 24 – March 28, 2025): Event schedule: Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan (Stone Pipe Days) Movies/media: 500 Days in the Wild Bones of Crows E65: A'paitsitapisksinimaattsaa (Weasel People Education) – Revitalizing Blackfoot language and culture through land-based learning Blackfoot Confederacy (Niitsitapi peoples): Siksika (Blackfoot) Kainai (Blood) Kana (and A'kana) – Many chiefs or many leaders Piikani (Peigan) South Peigan Notable works and how-tos: A Contemporary Winter Count by Kerry M. Scott Powwow Dances How to take part in a round dance Organizations/institutions: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Alberta Health Services Treaty 7 Tribal Council Assembly of First Nations Indigenous and Northern Affairs U of L (University of Lethbridge) U of A (University of Alberta) Lethbridge Polytechnic: Val Matteotti Gym The Cave Business Administration Program People, history, locations: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Indian Agents in Canada Indian Act Treaty 7 Dunbow Residential School Old Man River St. Mary’s Reservoir Trans Canada Trail Jim Bennett Troy Knowlton Travis Plaited Hair

"It's my dream. It's our dream. It's the polytechnic's dream. But it's a dream of our elders that we keep going." ~ Marcia Black Water, Indigenous Coordinator for the Centre for Business, Arts, and Sciences Marcia Black Water (Indigenous Coordinator for CBAS), Jessica Fox (English and Blackfoot Instructor), and Sandra Atwood (Indigenous Studies Instructor) partnered to create A'paitsitapisksinimaattsaa – a program rooted in Blackfoot ways of knowing. In this deeply heartfelt conversation, Marcia, Jessica, and Sandra discuss how this course has been a slow dream come true through community relationships. The trio hope that through pommotsiiysinni (a Blackfoot word meaning the transfer and gaining of knowledge, and understanding your place in the world) this program will meet both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students where they are at – and even spark the next generation of leaders. During the show, guests and host (Donna) mention: CBAS – Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences Blood Tribe (Kainai) Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikaitsitapi) Blackfoot word meanings: Aapaa: Weasel Kakyosin: Being aware of your surroundings and really knowing what's out there Niitsitapiiysini: Blackfoot ways of knowing Miinipooka: Peter Weasel Moccasin Pommotsiiysinni: Transferring knowledge Niitsitapi: Real person Kainaisksaahko: Land-based learning course Maria took with Narcisse Blood Aakoka’tsinn: Many lodges camp Niksokowaiksi: Relatives Poiskinasskin: Sacred Ochre Blessing Indigenous Careers Pathways: Introduction to Indigenous Studies Indigenous Literature Blackfoot Language 1 Blackfoot Language 2 Lethbridge Polytechnic programs: Bachelor of Nursing General Arts and Science Residential Schools in Canada Bloom’s taxonomy University of Calgary University of Lethbridge Dhillon School of Business Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Red Crow College Annabel Crop Eared Wolf’s thesis: MATSIYIPÁÍTAPIIYSSINI: KÁÍNAI PEACEKEEPING AND PEACEMAKING Coulee Walk – Iissksiniip (Coming to Know and Learn) Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action Wellness Services Niitsitapi Strategy

The only of its kind in Canada, the Wildlife Analytics Lab (WAL) specializes in wildlife cementum (mineralized tissue covering tooth roots) analysis. Through this process, technicians can determine wildlife age and life history to better inform resource conservation practices. WAL has numerous implications for transformational research (including becoming the new standard for aging wildlife), and fruitful collaborations with multiple stakeholders (including government, industry experts, and organizations). Dr. Everett Hanna (Scientific Lead and Environmental Sciences Instructor), Kelsey Gourlie (Lead Lab Technician), and Marcela Leija Montoya (Laboratory Technician) join the pod to offer their perspectives. Everett details how the facility is shaping current and future sustainability efforts. Kelsey and Marcela share how this lab gave them (as former students) invaluable Work-Integrated Learning experiences that helped them transition to their exciting new careers at the polytechnic.During the show, host (Donna) and guest mention: WAL – Wildlife Analytics Laboratory at the polytechnic Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan (Stone Pipe): Lethbridge Polytechnic's Blackfoot name Lethbridge Polytechnic 360 virtual tour Cousins Science Centre Alberta Ministries: Advanced Education Forestry and Parks Environment and Protected Areas Fishing, hunting and trapping regulations Dispersed/Distributed leadership: sharing leadership responsibilities across a group of people, where multiple individuals work together, make decisions, and take responsibility for achieving common goals. WIL – Work-Integrated Learning Lethbridge Polytechnic programs and courses: Technology and Engineering Computer Information Technology Environmental Science Ecosystem Management - Bachelor of Renewable Resource Management Principles of Wildlife Biology (course) Wildlife Field Techniques (course) LC Extension Business Administration Digital Communications and Media Introduction to Marketing (course) Health and Wellness Culinary University of Lethbridge Co-operative Education APOS – Alberta Professional Outfitters Society DAO – Delegated Administrative Organization Jason Donkersgoed: Director of LC Extension Chronic Wasting Disease Hubbard Collection NSERC – National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council OHMT – One Health Medical Technologies Fieldlab Films Wildlife Forensics & Fish Health Lab (State of Wyoming) ENGO – Environmental non-governmental organization CFI (in genetics): complement factor I Lethbridge Polytechnic Development Office WAL Instructional extraction video (content warning: this video shows how to extract a tooth from an animal carcass and may be upsetting to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised) For a tour of the Wildlife Analytics Lab, email: wildlife_analytics_lab@lethpolytech.ca Check out the Wildlife Analytics Lab on Instagram Ponderosa Environmental Consulting Inc (Everett's consulting business) Kelsey created the photo below to illustrate how similar tree rings are to teeth rings in determining age. Check it out👇🏼

“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.During the show, host (Donna) and guests mention: CARIE – Centre for Applied Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Animal Care Committee Research Ethics CARIF SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Mueller Irrigation Group IATC – Integrated Agriculture Technology Centre Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre CARIE Research project database Aquaculture Centre of Excellence Trades and apprenticeships at Lethbridge Polytechnic Centre for Justice and Human Services START – Spatial Technologies Applied Research & Training 360 VR Treadmill NSERC – National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research CARA – Canadian Association of Research Administrators CTED – Centre for Technology, Environment, and Design CBAS – Centre for Business, Arts, and Sciences CPSAR – Centre for Public Safety Applied Research E57: Revolutionary recycling in aquaponics – Mimicking natural ecosystems to produce 100% zero-waste food WWEA – World Wind Energy Association VPA – Vice President Academic MSE – Master of Science in Engineering University of Manitoba University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture and Bioresources Northwestern Polytechnic (formerly Grande Prairie Regional College) VR – Virtual Reality AR – Augmented Reality XR – Extended Reality SAIT – Southern Alberta Institute of Technology NAIT – Northern Alberta Institue of Technology Sugar Beet Growers of Alberta Wheat Growers Association Egg Farmers of Canada FITS – Foster, Identify, Target, Sustain IP Policy – Intellectual Property Policy Niagra College College of the North Atlantic Olds College Alberta Innovates Athabasca University Nature Conservancy of Canada SoTL – Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Lethbridge Lodging Association Coulee Fest Grain drying McGill University RINSA – Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta Economic Development Lethbridge Tecconnect Entrepreneur Program CARIE Annual Research Report (2023/2024) Kariza Manychief pitch competition finalist CARIE for students STAR Grant Alberta OH&S Reach out to request a tour of our innovative facilities! Dave McMurray Andrew Dunlop

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 Lethbridge Polytechnic programs: Trades Technology and Engineering CTLI departments: Learning Experience Design Academic Services Accessibility Services Testing Services Buchanan Library Services Learning Café Wellness Services LMS: learning management system DLT: Digital Learning Team LXD: Learning experience designer/design STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics OER: Open Educational Resource (Buchanan Library) NIOP: New Instructor Orientation Program DEAM: Disability Employment Awareness Month WIL: Work-integrated Learning Mirco-credentials at Lethbridge Polytechnic: Getting Started with Accessibility Services (for students) Getting Started with Accessibility Services (for faculty) Getting Started with Accessibility Services (for parents and caregivers) SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) STAR Grant E50: Watching for signals, change drivers, and learning opportunities – CTLI’s adaptive, collaborative, and culture-building ethos Read&Write Justice League Marvel

“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 Centre of Excellence Difference between aquaculture, hydroponics, and aquaponics: 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. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, where roots are submerged in a nutrient-rich water solution or grow in soilless media using nutrient solutions. Aquaponics is a symbiotic ecosystem combining aquaculture (raising fish), hydroponics (growing plants without soil), and microorganisms. Fish waste provides nutrients for plants and microorganisms, and the plants and microorganisms purify the water for the fish. VR – Virtual reality RAS – Recirculating aquaculture system A drum filter in aquaponics is a mechanical filtration system that uses a rotating drum to separate solid waste from liquid waste. An oxygenator in aquaponics adds oxygen to the water, helping fish breathe and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that break down fish waste into nutrients for plants. A biofilter in aquaponics harbours bacteria (nitrifiers) that convert toxic ammonia into nitrate through a two-step process. A bioreactor in aquaponics is a chamber that utilizes aerobic microorganisms to break down and liquify all solid fish waste that is separated and collected from the system. Aerobic is key, as most bioreactors are anaerobic. A trickling (carbon) filter in aquaponics is both a mechanical and self-regenerating biofilter where water trickles over a physical medium (such as charcoal) and slowly drains through. Microorganisms colonize this medium and help to break down harmful (typically liquid) fish waste, such as ammonium, and mineralize finer organic particles as it passes through. Finer solid particles are filtered out in the process, producing crystal-clear water. Water polishing in aquaponics is the process of removing any remaining particles or impurities from the water to ensure it's clean and clear for both fish and plants. Filter backwashing in aquaponics is the process of reversing the flow of water through a filter to remove accumulated debris and waste. This process isn’t needed in a properly functioning aquaponics system! Aerobic – with oxygen Anaerobic – without oxygen University of Alberta Dr. Basil Andrew Keddie Examples of other applied research projects at the college: E24: An Exploration of Immersive Technology Inspiring Lifelong Movement E33: Immersive Storytelling – The Battle of Belly River Comparing HSP with LED lighting (by Stouch Lighting Staff, LED lighting sellers) HPS – high-pressure sodium LED – light-emitting diode 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 Canola Council of Canada SOP – standard operating procedure E. coli (Wikipedia) University of Georgia – Interdisciplinary team for aquaponics CTLI – Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation The Aquaponics Association CARIE – Centr

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