PARTNER PROFILE BARRETT CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019
Rockwell Automation’s five-year partnership agreement with Humber is addressing the skills gaps in the advanced manufacturing sector to equip students for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) careers of the future. The partnership is helping to expand applied research in advanced manufacturing (Industry 4.0) related to programmable logic controllers (PLC) technology and connectivity in the digital factory environment. Rockwell Automation is also providing guidance and technical support to assist Humber and applied research partner companies to better integrate control systems into advanced manufacturing processes. The partnership includes, working together to focus on the creation of mini-hubs (living labs) such as industry automation, Industry 4.0, mechatronics and the Internet of Everything centres to support the vision of the Barrett CTI. The partnership fosters innovation and education by way of a STEAM Outreach program to engage youth within Canada, including FIRST and VEX robotics programs. “The Barrett CTI provides a unique environment where industry, business and students can collaborate to solve some of today’s most pressing business challenges and help companies unlock the value of digital transformation,” says Mike Hutchings, regional vice president, Rockwell Automation. PROFILE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Pictured above: Electromechanical Engineering Technology student and Barrett CTI Research Assistant Maramawit Demisse adjusts a mechatronics demonstration lab during an event. Demisse was one of the students who worked on the STEAM Outreach program this past summer.
Humber is moving full STEAM ahead One of the drivers behind the establishment of the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation (Barrett CTI) was to create a space to harness the expertise of faculty and businesses to introduce young students to education and careers in technology and trades. Building on this vision from Bob Barrett, co-founder of the Barrett Family Foundation, which donated $10-million to establish the Barrett CTI, Humber built a dedicated STEAM outreach room (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) for this purpose. The STEAM Learning Lab was designed to support current students and create learning opportunities for younger generations to explore learning pathways. Throughout the spring and summer of 2019, Humber hosted more than 25 workshops as part of its STEAM Outreach program for primary and secondary level students across various school boards in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. More than 1,000 students and their teachers participated in the workshops and were able to see firsthand the work being created by Humber students and how they are applying STEAM learning in and out of the classroom. The STEAM Outreach program began under the guidance of faculty members and students from the Project Management postgraduate program (PMPG) and is supported by Neal Mohammed, director of the Barrett CTI. The program exposes youth to areas, such as robotics, mechatronics, 3D printing, augmented/virtual reality, electronics, storytelling, prototyping, programming and other technological trends. ARTICLE CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
humber.ca/barrettcti
PROFILE CONTINUED
ARTICLE CONTINUED Since the opening of the building, 10 Barrett CTI projects have provided workintegrated learning opportunities for students within programs in the Faculties of Applied Sciences & Technology and the Faculty of Business. PMPG worked with stakeholders across the College on multiple projects aligned with Humber’s strategic priorities. They were implemented under the PMPG’s Alternative Capstone Model — developed to provide real-world opportunities for students to apply their skills as project management practitioners. Last summer, Humber Electromechanical Engineering and Technology students, Maramawit Demisse, Matthew Cocomello and Pranav Mistry were hired as research assistants in the Barrett CTI and helped to create activity packages for elementary and high school student groups. The students hosted the STEAM workshops throughout the season and provided hands-on learning. “For most kids, we are exposing them to what’s out there and what their interests may be,” says Demisse. “Younger kids are not as worried about their careers as those finishing high school and it allows them to explore new skills without any pressure.” Students have the opportunity to see how robots can interact with humans by working side-by-side, in collaboration. Among the many robots students are exposed to, they also compete and test their skills against systems like the Drawbot. Designed by Humber students, the robot works simultaneously with humans to draw an image and challenges the participant to beat its speed and accuracy. “We show and tell what we have created and what we can do thanks to the program and the opportunities we have here at Humber,” says Cocomello. “It is an opportunity for young students to see what college is about.” The STEAM Outreach program is one of many opportunities provided in conjunction with Humber’s Community Outreach and Workforce Development (COWD), which offers specialized hands-on and informative workshops. COWD works with Humber’s faculties to offer workshops where students can be introduced to careers they may not have considered. Humber will continue to host workshops throughout the year and introduce students to areas such as business, health sciences, media, social and community services, trades and more.
“The benefit of collaborating with Humber on the Barrett CTI is that we are at a pivot point with companies across Canada that are trying to adapt advanced technologies and we can bring companies, suppliers and educators together to try new ideas and solve real business outcomes,” adds Hutchings. Helping to address the skills gap, Rockwell Automation’s dedication to Humber includes an initial investment of $250,000 worth of equipment and an annual contribution of $25,000 in equipment during the second and fifth year of the agreement. Some of this new equipment has been used for training by Humber’s Mechatronics Skills Varsity team, which recently competed at WorldSkills 2019 in Kazan, Russia. “This collaboration is vital and supports our vision to help customers embrace advanced manufacturing and reap the benefits of integrating a modern control system and the Internet of Things. With this collaboration, I am very optimistic about bridging the gap between industry and students, preparing students for the careers of tomorrow and inspiring business’ through the fourth industrial revolution,” adds Hutchings.
For more information about the Barrett CTI, contact Neal Mohammed, director, Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation, neal.mohammed@humber.ca.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Bogdan Malynovskyy and Mateusz Cwalinski who took home a Medallion of Excellence and placed fourth in the Mechatronics competition at WorldSkills 2019.
Members of Humber’s Mechatronics Skills Varsity team pose with some of the equipment and technology provided by Rockwell Automation for training in the Barrett CTI.
Mateusz Cwalinski, coach Mauricio Toigo and Bogdan Malynovskyy at WorldSkills 2019 in Kazan, Russia.