Learning that Creates

Lisa Morris (General Arts and Sciences) reads to West End Memorial Elementary students from the book her class created.

NSCC faculty members from each of the College's five Academic Schools are always finding creative ways for students to apply what they learn.

Students studying Biology in the General Arts and Science program at NSCC's Cumberland Campus were tasked with writing a text about the human body targeted to nine and ten year olds. The result was a storybook the class entitled "Our Amazing Bodies." The final test was presenting the book and related activities to local elementary school students.

"The children were excited to have us there and very interested in what we were going to do with the box of books and supplies for the activities," says "NSCC student Lisa Morris. When we passed out the storybooks the room went very quiet as they looked through them and started the word searches and mazes."

Steve Blacker studies Interactive and Motion Graphics at NSCC's Truro Campus.

Welding Instructor Terry Keating and Metal Fabrication & Plating students pose with Bigot Gate - now installed at the entrance of the Town of Lunenburg.

Creative ways to connect learning with community and industry needs form an important part of the student experience at Nova Scotia Community College.

Interactive and Motion Graphics students at NSCC's Truro Campus dream of having their work featured by the entertainment industry on screens large or small. Students use design principles, 3D modelling, green screens, as well as video and sound editing to produce their work.

Steve Blacker used the skills he learned during his first year of study to produce a music video for a major applied learning project.

"For each frame of the video I had to use the skills we learned in class to make the desired effect happen," says Steve. "It's been a great way to build my portfolio while learning how to interact with clients to meet their creative needs."

Creativity can take the form of a children's book or a music video - or even an iron gate.

To help mark the 250th anniversary of the Fortress of Louisburg, students of the Metal Fabrication & Plating and Welding programs at Marconi Campus reconstructed the historic gate that protected residents of the 18th century French fortress. Students built the gate using the original plans and design.

"It was wonderful working with the NSCC students on this historic project," says Louisburg 2008 Project Manager, Joleen MacIntyre. "This partnership was all about the community and the gate really ties the town into the fortress - this was one of our main goals."

The Score:

Learning is affordable at NSCC. Tuition fees make up just 16% of the College's total operating revenue.