OVIN REGIONAL FUTURE WORKFORCE PROGRAM
St. Clair College's OVIN Regional Future Workforce Program prepares the next generation for careers in STEM and Automobility, creating a talent pipeline through evidence-based robotics programs for students in grades 7 and 9.
Program Overview
The OVIN Regional Future Workforce Program set out to prepare the next generation of students for the shifting economic needs of the region and nation. Developed to spark student interest in post-secondary education and career pathways in STEM and Automobility, this initiative creates a talent pipeline through evidence-based summer camps and in-school robotics programs for students in grades 7 and 9.
In partnership with local school boards and community organizations, St. Clair College and its partners developed a robust STEM robotics curriculum with the capacity for replicability and sustainability. The program provided 400 LEGO SPIKE Prime robots at a ratio of 1 robot to 2 students, ensuring hands-on experience for all participants. Through specialized lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, and teacher and student resources, the program established a comprehensive educational framework.
Impact By Numbers
Program Details
Target Participants
Students in Grades 7 and 9 from Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, and Lambton regions, with a focus on building a diverse talent pipeline.
Program Goal
To prepare the next generation of students for the shifting economic needs by sparking interest in STEM and Automobility career pathways.
Resources & Curriculum
The OVIN Regional Future Workforce Program developed comprehensive educational resources to support a robust STEM robotics curriculum. Each lesson includes four essential components designed to maximize learning effectiveness and teacher support.
Curriculum Components
- Detailed Lesson Plan documents
- Engaging PowerPoint Lessons
- Comprehensive Teacher Resources
- Interactive Student Materials
Technology
- 400 LEGO SPIKE Prime robots
- 1:2 robot-to-student ratio
- Hands-on coding experience
- Real-world problem-solving activities
Our Team
SCC R&I Researchers
Peter Wawrow
Researcher
Doran Anzolin
Researcher
Beckie Berlasty
Researcher
David Potocek
Researcher
SCC Researchers
Dale Hagith
Researcher
Al Douglas
Researcher
Gelsea Pizzuto
Researcher
Breanne Bennett
Researcher
Erica Young
Researcher
Administration
John Lopez
Administration
Sonja Popovski
Administration
Student Instructors
St. Clair College
- Alex Hewitt
- Dylan Goran
- Edwin Gomez
- Erin Harback
- Fabrice Dogbey
- Fuad Oladmeji
- Karikrishna Trivendi
- Harsh Bharatvala
- Joel McCorkell
- Jonathan Hernandez
- Joseph Purcell
- Kamsi Bona
- Nicholas Marcelo
- Nimco Ali
- Phillip Dimitrov
- Ravindra Aghera
- Ricardo Calleja
- Rushiraj
- Tilia Galata
- Tyler Tytgat
University of Windsor
- Caroline Nader
- Emily Bolger
- Erica Miner
- Ethan Nelson
- Isabella Lapico
- Josh Lowe
- JR Sim
- Julia Reeves
- Margaret Gloor
- Megan Leroux
- Mercedes Greer
- Mirella Jitani
- Muna Taher
- Natasha Barret
- Stephen Whalen
Funders & Partners
Funder
Funder
Regional Future Workforce (RFW)
Educational Partners
Partner
University of Windsor
Partner
St. Clair Catholic District School Board
Partner
Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board
Partner
Lambton Kent District School Board
Partner
Greater Essex County District School Board
Industry & Community Partners
Partner
CenterLine (Windsor)
Partner
FIRST Robotics Canada
Partner
Invest WindsorEssex
Partner
WETech Alliance
Partner
WEST of Windsor
Partner
LaSalle Hangout for Youth
Project Deliverables
Explore the key deliverables from the OVIN Regional Future Workforce Program. Click any of the resources below to open in a new tab:
Project Flyer
Overview of the OVIN Regional Future Workforce Program highlighting key components and outcomes.
$500,000 Award Announcement
News article covering St. Clair College's award of $500,000 to engage the future automobility generation.
Future Workforce Showcase
News article about community partners uniting for the OVIN Regional Future Workforce Showcase event.
Research & Impact
St. Clair College conducted research throughout the program as part of an evaluation to assess its impact and explore ways to refine future iterations. Surveys were distributed to both teachers and students who participated in the program, with pre-post student surveys developed for both elementary and high school students (Grade 7 and Grade 9) utilizing Unfried et al. (2015) S-STEM survey.
Key Outcomes
- Sparked student interest in post-secondary and career pathways in STEM
- Created a talent pipeline for Automobility careers
- Developed robust, replicable STEM robotics curriculum
- Established sustainable educational frameworks
Program Reach
- 4 local school boards engaged
- 11 different schools participated
- 33 classrooms implemented the program
- 1000 student participants benefited
Looking Forward
The OVIN Regional Future Workforce Program has established a strong foundation for engaging students in STEM and Automobility careers. Through this initiative, St. Clair College and its partners have created a sustainable model that can continue to inspire the next generation of talent in these critical fields.
The program's educational resources and curriculum will continue to benefit both students and teachers, ensuring long-term impact on the region's workforce development. By fostering early interest in these career pathways, the program is helping to address the shifting economic needs of the region and nation.