Applied Research & Innovation 2015-16 annual review by Saskatchewan Polytechnic

APPLIED RESEARCH & INNOVATION 2015-2016 Annual Review

CONTENTS WINNING COMBINATION 4 TRULY UNIQUE IN EVERYWAY 6 A RECIPE FOR REALISM 7 SHOW AND TELL 8 ADVANCING APPLIED RESEARCH 9 TAKING FLIGHT WITH STRONG PARTNERSHIPS 10 RISKY BUSINESS 12 DIGGING DEEPER 14 CLIMATE CHANGE TOOL HELPS FARMERS ADAPT 15

Cover photo: Chemical technology students Kaila Johnson and Karissa Quessy.

pplied research differentiates Saskatchewan Polytechnic and positions us as an industry-leading institution. Providing a direct link to the community, applied research builds strong partnerships between employers and facilitates the development of solutions to real-world, everyday problems. Sask Polytech is breaking new ground with a range of applied research projects. Rooted in the ideals of innovation and collaboration, the work being done by faculty and students with support from the Office of Applied Research and Innovation is one of many features that make us a first-choice polytechnic in Canada. The focus at a polytechnic is on applied learning, applied research and workintegrated learning. Leaders across Canada are calling for work-integrated learning to be included in postsecondary training. The polytechnic advantage thrives in applied research projects, which provide value to communities across the

ver the past year, the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI) has seen some amazing things happen. I am proud to have had the opportunity to witness such great success first-hand. I have had the privilege of working with the OARI team — all of whom are dedicated to supporting research that provides industry partners with real-world solutions and ensures Sask Polytech students graduate with an arsenal of exceptional skills. With Dr. Susan Blum’s expertise and experience, I am confident the future for the OARI will be exciting and full of research endeavors that will continue to advance Sask Polytech’s position as the first choice polytechnic in Canada. Sincerely,

globe. We continue to build upon vital community and employer partnerships that encourage collaborative research to discover and deliver innovative solutions to everyday problems As a fundamental aspect of Sask Polytech’s strategic plan, applied research enables the institution to maintain true alliances with industry, while providing students with work-integrated learning opportunities. This annual review highlights some of the exciting projects faculty, staff and students have been involved with for 2015-16. Every day we are helping private and public sector employers improve their operations and pursue new opportunities through applied research.

Dr. Larry Rosia President & CEO

eflecting on last year’s major applied research projects provides a unique foundation for planning the next steps and preparing for a productive future. The amount of opportunities provided to students and the demonstrated innovation from instructors has been truly amazing. I am excited to be joining the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI). Having the opportunity to work with the team to increase the level of research being done at Sask Polytech is an adventure I am looking forward to. I want to encourage growth and provide space to promote a culture that celebrates creative approaches to everyday problems and fosters an environment that attracts inquisitive minds and great partnerships. The OARI has achieved great things, but we must always look for ways to improve to ensure our contributions to our local communities, province and country continue to be beneficial for everyone involved. Here’s to an amazing year ahead! Sincerely,

Dr. June Anonson Former interim director, Applied Research and Innovation, Director, Institute for Nursing Scholarship

Dr. Susan Blum Associate vice-president, Applied Research and Innovation

Chemical technology students Kaila Johnson and Karissa Quessy.

WINNING COMBINATION Science smarts and communication skills add up to student success

nquisitiveness, sound judgment, problem-solving skills: These are key qualities that students hone in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s science and technology programs.

Third place went to Sask Polytech’s Kaila Johnson, who presented on work she performed for Cameco’s Rabbit Lake uranium operation in northern Saskatchewan. Hours of rehearsing in front of her peers and “a lot of critiquing” strengthened her presentation, she says.

But so, too, are communication skills, including the ability to express complex ideas in easy-to-understand language and to think on your feet. Students practise these skills in their communication courses and by participating in applied research projects.

CICan 2016 Applied Research Symposium, Winnipeg

Occasionally, though, they also have the opportunity to demonstrate their science savvy and presentation skills farther afield, as they did at these two events in 2016:

Western Canadian Student Symposium, Calgary Chemical technology and environmental technology students from Sask Polytech, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology attended this annual competition organized by the Canadian Society for Chemical Technology. Sask Polytech’s Karissa Quessy took this year’s first prize for her presentation about her practicum at Cargill Canada’s canola crushing plant east of Saskatoon. There, she had investigated the effects of storage conditions on canola oil over time, discovering that the company’s practice of using clear, high-density polyethylene containers was contributing to oil degradation and that amber-coloured containers would be optimal for extended storage. “It was such an interesting topic,” says Quessy, a self-described “chemistry nerd” who now works as a quality control technician for a plant biotechnology company. “I really wanted to push so I could find something that would help [Cargill].” Not only did she forge ahead in her research, but she also made a point of practising—not memorizing —the script for her PowerPoint slide show at the symposium. The result? Quessy delivered a polished presentation and adeptly responded to the judges’ questions.

This event last winter by Colleges and Institutes Canada included a showcase of students’ applied research projects as well as a series of presentations by students from across the country. Leila Benmerrouche, then a student in Sask Polytech’s Geographic Information Science for Resource Management program and a winner of Sask Polytech’s Innovation Award, participated in both. Her research on the elusive clubtail dragonfly had involved using geographic information system software to measure the population of this rare species along the Saskatchewan River. By discovering an increase in its population, she had shown that river conservation efforts have been effective. It was nerve-wracking getting up in front of about 140 people and summarizing her research, says Benmerrouche, but she was bolstered by a conversation she had had the previous evening with Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, and one of the symposium’s keynote speakers. “She was extremely kind, told me to be confident and was incredibly good at motivating,” says Benmerrouche. “When you only have five minutes,” she adds, “you have to plan every word you say.”

Leila at CICan with Christine Trauttmansdorff, Vice-

David Halstead, an instructor President, Government and senior researcher at Relations and Canadian Partnerships, Colleges and Sask Polytech, agrees. The Institutes Canada. five-minute limit was a real challenge for the students, he says. “They had to present in a form that was understandable without getting immersed in ‘technobabble’.”

But Benmerrouche came through with flying colours. Subsequently, Halstead asked her to present at a national conference of aboriginal lands managers. “She didn’t bat an eye,” he says, about doing the much lengthier presentation on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and applied research. “Her presentation was very well received.”

TRULY UNIQUE IN EVERYWAY Hannin Creek Educational and Applied Research Facility provides launching point for exceptional partnerships, research and hands-on learning Faculty and students exploring the Saskatchewan boreal forest.

ucked into the Saskatchewan boreal plain around Candle Lake, Saskatchewan, surrounded by a forest game preserve, are amazing applied learning and research opportunities waiting to be discovered at the Hannin Creek Educational and Applied Research Facility. “Both the facility and its location in the southern boreal forest are truly unique,” says Dr. Hamilton Greenwood, Natural Resources instructor. The secluded facility – about 10 kilometres away from the closest dwelling — is the result of an ongoing partnership between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF). “Students get to practise skills such as surveying, mapping and monitoring, water quality testing, forestry management, natural resource law enforcement, and bird and fish species identification and anatomy,” says Greenwood. The facility also provides space for faculty members to engage in applied research projects that put Sask Polytech on the cutting edge, especially when it comes to using the latest technologies, such an unmanned aerial vehicles or hydro-acoustic sonar to tackle some of the biggest conservation challenges the province is currently facing. “Our faculty and students are uniquely positioned to connect these industries with new, more effective resource management techniques,” says Greenwood. “The partnership with SWF means we are looking to find real world solutions to problems that need answers now — before it’s too late.” This one-of-a-kind collaborative partnership provides a space for a wide range of research

opportunities, many of which will prove to be beneficial for the province. Recently, Natural Resources Instructors Teal Fisher and Joanne Marchand received $125,000 from Environment Canada to use aerial technology to create an inventory of the natural habitats in the prairies over the next three years. While the research project won’t happen entirely at Hannin Creek, having access to the facility is a major factor to its success. “This partnership enables us to offer enhanced learning opportunities at Hannin Creek, with better resources and facilities that allow better access to the outdoors,” says Darrell Crabbe, SWF executive director. “It is a great place to help teach the values of conservation to ensure this landscape is preserved for generations.” “Hannin Creek is an exceptional place in Saskatchewan,” says Jamie Hilts, Sask Polytech’s dean of the School of Mining, Energy and Manufacturing as well as the School of Natural Resources and Built Environment. “It’s a unique facility that provides students, and many other organizations in the province, with valuable hands-on learning opportunities and practical experience,” says Hilts. In July 2016 the Sask Polytech and SWF partnership behind Hannin Creek won a silver medal in the IPN-Global Best competition, sponsored by the Conference Board of Canada and the International Education Business Partnership Network.

A RECIPE FOR REALISM A new cookbook outlines recipes for making realistic fluids and substances in a simulated learning environment Dr. Ursula Osteneck, program head, Continuing Care Assistant program and Jennifer Braaten, simulation centre coordinator.

igh-tech mannequins and healthcare technologies beeping at different intervals are an integral part of Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s simulation labs, where health-care students from various programs learn and study. The one thing missing from these applied learning, high-tech labs were substances that simulate the bodily fluids and textures of practicing health care on a real human being. That’s why Dr. Ursula Osteneck, program head, Continuing Care Assistant program and Jennifer Braaten, simulation centre coordinator, wrote a simlab cookbook. The cookbook, takes the simlab to the next level with a series of instructions for creating substitute bodily fluids that look, feel and smell, just like real thing. “There is no limit to what we can prepare, it just takes imagination and a bit of time,” says Osteneck. “I use a rolled roast, pork or beef, with a piece of bone inserted in the middle of the advanced tissues. The roast is much more realistic and similar to injecting into a buttock as compared to a naval orange, which has been used in the past,” says Osteneck. Known as “simlabs” to staff and students, the specialty labs are designed to give students the opportunity to learn and practise in a next-to-real health-care environment. The ultimate goal is to help prepare students for real life pressures and experiences in the health-care system. As a teaching tool, the cookbook also includes instructions for recreating typical practices, such as removing surgical drains, to help the student get used to the tactile feelings associated with the work.

Exposing students to these elements means that when they begin interacting with real patients, they are mentally prepared for what might come their way. “Students find the realism exciting, and it is realistic to a certain degree. The students curl up their noses at the make-belief stool sample, but learn to get used to it so they aren’t making the same face in front of a patient,” says Osteneck. It’s this kind of applied research project that the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI) is proud to be a part of. “This cookbook helps to enhance the education of our students,” says June Anonson, former interim director of the OARI. “It’s also a tool we can share with our colleagues at other post-secondary institutions who use similar simulated teaching methods.” While the benefits to our students are invaluable, the project also aligns with the institution’s strategic vision of becoming Canada’s top choice polytechnic by 2020. “It reinforces Sask Polytech’s position as an educational leader in nursing and other health professions. It also sets us apart from other polytechnics in Canada — we developed a tool other institutions are using in their classrooms,” says Anonson. Osteneck says she’s always refining recipes or designing new ones. We are looking forward to a new edition to be released in 2016.

SHOW AND TELL Student showcase reflects curiosity, commitment and creativity

ach spring, Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s academic leaders and senior managers get together for a day of professional development. They share ideas, catch up with colleagues and talk about how Sask Polytech can continue to help students reach their career goals.

Students from several of Sask Polytech’s 11 schools participated in the showcase, displaying their work in the Technical Building at Prince Albert campus, where the Academic Leadership Workshop was held. Cecile Hyatt was one of those students.

Students are top of mind, but they don’t attend the Academic Leadership Workshop. But this year was different.

Hyatt recently graduated from the Interior Design stream of the Architectural Technologies program. For one of her major projects she designed a mixed-use space for a South African photography business and gallery.

This year, the workshop featured a special student showcase. Organized by Sask Polytech’s Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI), the showcase highlighted what can happen when students’ curiosity and creativity are allowed to thrive. “The inaugural Student Research, Innovation and Scholarship Showcase demonstrated the diverse types of applied research that our students undertake,” says Dr. Anne Neufeld, Sask Polytech’s provost and vicepresident, Academic. One Chemical Technology student, for instance, had investigated the effects of storage conditions on canola oil for Cargill Canada. Another had looked into ways to improve the accuracy and precision of methodologies related to hydrogen peroxide levels in liquid uranium precipitation. And a Computer Systems Technology student had developed a volunteer management system for the Saskatoon Summer Players, a musical theatre group.

It was challenging but the painstaking work was worth it. “I was proud of it. I was excited to have an opportunity to showcase it,” says Hyatt, who drove four hours from Moose Jaw, where she lives, to attend the student exhibition. On her display table, she set up her large Mac screen and ran a 3-D slide show of her building design. At the beginning of the day and during breaks, the 195 program heads, continuing education consultants and other workshop attendees had an opportunity to tour the student displays. “People seemed very interested in what we were doing,” says Hyatt. “They stopped not just to look, but to talk and ask questions.” Leila Benmerrouche had a similar experience. Now a graduate of two of Sask Polytech’s natural resources programs, she was impressed by just how engaged the attendees were in

ADVANCING APPLIED RESEARCH Back Row L-R: Dr. Larry Rosia, Cecile Hyatt, Karissa Quessy, Kaila Johnson, Dr. June Anonson, Justin Urban, Dr. Anne Neufeld Front Row L-R: Leila Benmerrouche, Kristen Piecowye, Crystal Whitefish.

The Office of Applied Research and Innovation moves forward on the Applied Research and Scholarship Action Plan

S her applied research activities. “That part was really awesome,” says Benmerrouche, who had included samples of the elusive clubtail dragonfly in her exhibit. Using geographic information system software, Benmerrouche had measured the population of this rare species along the Saskatchewan River. Her findings showed an increase in its population, indicating that conservation efforts to improve the health of the river are working. For Benmerrouche, Hyatt and other students at the workshop, there was another bonus to participating in the student showcase. It was a chance “to see what other students are doing in other programs,” says Hyatt. “A lot of the programs interconnect in some ways.” The showcase was also a source of inspiration to busy faculty who don’t always have the opportunity to step beyond their program area. They witnessed what great things can happen when students, faculty and industry experts become partners in innovation. Based on this year’s success, the Student Research Innovation and Scholarship Showcase is expected to become an annual event at Sask Polytech.

ince developing the Applied Research and Scholarship Action Plan in 2015, the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI) has undergone a number of changes to better position itself as the primary link between resources and expertise at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. “Increasing our involvement in applied research is a cornerstone of the strategic direction at Sask Polytech,” says June Anonson, former acting director at the OARI. “In order to do that we need to make sure we provide an attractive atmosphere to faculty and industry experts.” Anonson outlines that interest in applied research can be increased by streamlining processes and developing appropriate resources to help interested researchers turn ideas into reality. “A key part of the vision for us is to contribute positively to Saskatchewan’s economy and benefit businesses, industries and communities throughout the province,” says Anonson. “Our faculty are experts in their own fields and have a lot of knowledge they can share to help make this happen.” In an effort to support faculty in the pursuit of their research endeavours the OARI offers a

number of funding programs designed to remove possible barriers to starting a new research project. “We can also position ourselves as research leaders in Saskatchewan, helping to develop fruitful partnerships between our institution and industry in the province,” says Anonson. “The first step is to make sure faculty are able to achieve their research goals.” Many of the projects the OARI has supported since 2015 align with the province’s Plan For Growth while supporting local businesses. They also provide exceptional learning opportunities for students, helping them gain first-hand, real-world experience that will make them ideal employees when they graduate. “The students who participate in applied research projects get unparalleled access to practical experience and expert knowledge,” says David Halstead, instructor in the School of Natural Resources and Built Environment and OARI researcher. “Being a part of a team that works together to discover real-world solutions to problems industry experts are facing gives them a real sense of accomplishment,” says Halstead.

David Halstead, Natural Resources instructor.

TAKING FLIGHT WITH STRONG PARTNERSHIPS 10

The aerial survey project highlights how strong partnerships lead to big benefits

hile projects supported by the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI) are designed to provide practical solutions to real-world problems, they also enable Saskatchewan Polytechnic to develop strong partnerships with industry experts. These partnerships lead to incredible learning opportunities for students and results that lead to a prosperous Saskatchewan. The Aerial Survey Project is one project that highlights how a strong partnership can lead to a variety of benefits for everyone involved. “Twenty years ago the government was doing a lot of the work on their own,” says David Halstead, Natural Resources instructor. “Now we have industry partners who help us and help our students by providing handson learning opportunities. In return, we help them with the research and results they need to succeed.” Led by Halstead and KBM Resources Group, an environmental consulting and technical services firm with offices in Saskatchewan and Ontario, the project aimed to improve a survey method where photo interpreters can analyze high resolution photos of regenerating forests taken from fixed winged airplanes. These photos act as a proxy for more traditional ground-based information collection methods, which typically involve individuals walking over vast amounts of land. “Collecting data on the ground is very labour intensive,” says Halstead. “Individuals end up working in isolation, which also leads to some safety issues including potentially dangerous encounters with wildlife.” “If an aerial survey method works as a proxy to ground collection methods, there is the

potential to eliminate some of the challenges in conducting fieldwork,” says Halstead. Halstead says partnerships with Sask Polytech are appealing to industry experts because, as an institution focused on applied learning, they know they will be able to access quality work from engaged individuals. “[Sask Polytech] can bring keen and cuttingedge minds to the table and help solve problems that haven’t been solved yet,” says Halstead. For KBM, a major benefit comes being able to apply research data to improve their own operations and practices. “The project provided a great opportunity to improve the aerial survey we use to assess regenerating forests,” says Diane Roddy, manager at KBM Resources Saskatchewan. “The results have been very informative and we gained a lot of knowledge throughout the whole exercise. We’re already using the information gleaned from it to help refine the survey method we use.” “It was very helpful to get another perspective on what we do,” says Roddy. Roddy says the experience working with both Sask Polytech staff and students has been a positive one, and provided the chance to work with and get to know potential future employees. “It was great working with students, who worked very diligently and hard and I think learned a lot through the project,” says Roddy. “We will be looking for other mutually beneficial applied research projects to collaborate on.”

From land to lake: Hannin Creek’s new boat enhances educational opportunities The applied learning opportunities at Hannin Creek are about to extend to underwater territories. The arrival of a 22-foot long, heavy aluminum boat means the awardwinning educational facility now has a research platform for aquatic ecosystem studies.

“This means we now have the capacity to do applied research from the air with our drones and in the water with our new boat,” says David Halstead, Natural Resources and Built Environment instructor. The boat, which is built to operate three seasons of the year, was purchased with funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada, awarded to Saskatchewan Polytechnic in 2015. The boat will support a hydro-acoustics system that can be used for a variety of research, including habitat mapping and fish population studies.

RISKY BUSINESS Two firms looking to commercialize tap into Sask Polytech’s digital know-how

ringing a new product to market can be a risky business, especially for small IT companies. They must ensure that there’s sufficient demand for the product and a viable distribution channel—and that their technology works to a T. Product testing and prototyping alone can be an expensive proposition, with no guarantee of return. Small and medium-sized tech companies can mitigate that risk by partnering with Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Digital Integration Research Group (DIReG). DIReG researchers are leaders in Sask Polytech’s Computer Systems Technology (CST) program who, among other things, help businesses fine-tune their products prior to commercialization.

Lexcom Systems Group Inc. One firm that is reaping the benefits of partnering with DIReG is Lexcom Systems Group Inc. of Regina. With fewer than 16 employees in Saskatchewan, the IT company is limited by how much it can invest in developing new products. One of these innovations, for instance, is an integrated asset and information management system that reduces paperwork and

increases automation. The system can be helpful to organizations such oil and gas companies and municipalities, which rely on safety and maintenance documentation. When the company started developing the system there were some “very, very risky technological opportunities,” says Thomas Boxall, Lexcom’s manager of application development. For some, he says, there was “less than a 50 percent chance” of success but the company knew that the system could, potentially, be very profitable. By partnering with Sask Polytech, Lexcom landed a $25,000 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). In addition, by working with DIReG researchers and a Business Information Systems co-op student, Lexcom was able to improve its system architecture so that it captures data effectively, quickly and efficiently.“As a result, we’re one of the few companies that has the opportunity to meet the new standard for asset management systems in Canada,” says Boxall.

Sask Polytech researcher to foster R&D collaboration in Saskatchewan

Dr. Terry Peckham, Computer Systems Technology instructor, with students Steven Palchinski and Breanna Wilson.

Experience First Design Inc. Like Lexcom, Experience First Design Inc. qualified for a $25,000 NSERC grant by collaborating with Sask Polytech. The small Saskatoon company has designed a tool that helps its game developers create 3-D games more efficiently. The tool was initially intended only for internal use but when the company recognized that there could be strong commercial demand for it, it teamed up with DIReG. “We helped the company redesign some of the tool’s internal structures so that the tool can respond to software upgrades,” says Terry Peckham, a DIReG researcher and CST instructor. Experience First Design also received a $53,000 grant from Canada’s National Research Council by partnering with Sask Polytech and is now building the tool’s graphical user interface as it moves towards commercialization.

Terry Peckham is used to talking to employers about Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s applied research expertise. But in 2016–2017, the Sask Polytech researcher and instructor will be raising awareness about how post-secondary institutions throughout Saskatchewan can help businesses and industry solve practical problems and hone their innovations. It’s a new position, funded by Western Canadian Innovation Offices (WCIO), and it’s part of a pilot project that’s attempting to increase researcher collaboration throughout Western Canada and reduce the duplication of research equipment. As Saskatchewan’s research and innovation specialist, Peckham plans to develop a database of researchers and their areas of expertise as well as a database of industry partners. He also expects to bring more of the province’s community colleges into the research fold. Peckham, who has a PhD in computer science, will be focusing on research partnerships with the energy, information technology and healthcare sectors. “I’m brainstorming with other professionals and learning a lot of new things,” says this natural problem-solver. “I find that incredibly satisfying.”

Says David Callele, Experience First Design’s CEO: “Our experience with Sask Polytech was very positive. Their team, their technical leadership and the student who assisted—we could not have asked for more.”

DIGGING DEEPER Nursing instructor spearheads research into health-care delivery

n 2013 the Saskatchewan government launched Home First/ Quick Response (HFQR) in Saskatoon. The pilot project was designed to help older adults live in their homes longer by bringing health-care practitioners to them, rather than the other way around. The pilot was a success, says Roslyn Compton, a registered nurse and a faculty member in Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s School of Nursing, who evaluated the program for the Ministry of Health. Seniors’ emergency room visits and admissions are down and there’s been a delayed progression to long-term care, she says. No longer a pilot project, HFQR has expanded to help seniors in other Saskatchewan communities. But Compton, who wrote her PhD dissertation on “aging in place”(i.e., a place of choice for older adults), wants to better understand what makes this program tick so more communities can reap its benefits. In 2015 she lead a team of researchers from other Canadian post-secondary institutions and the Saskatoon Health Region in an application for funding. They were successful in securing a $40,000 grant from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation in partnership with the Canadian Frailty Network. As part of their study, the researchers are examining how members of interdisciplinary teams work together to support aging in place. An HFQR team assigned to a particular senior might include a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, an occupational therapist, a pharmacist, a dietician and a social worker, for instance. The researchers are also exploring how leadership style and attitudes about aging in place can affect patient engagement and the ultimate success of an HFQR team.

Roslyn Compton, School of Nursing instructor.

It’s a subject close to Compton’s heart. “I think people should age in their place of choice. They shouldn’t be dictated to,” she says, noting that her grandmother chose to live alone at home (in Australia) until she passed away at age 94. During the year-long study, Compton’s research team is interviewing HFQR clients who are over 80 years old and who have either congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.“That population was identified because they fall through the cracks,” says Compton. “They don’t meet the criteria for a nursing home or palliative care and they’re not sick enough to be in acute care.”Her team is also interviewing participants’ family members and others involved in their care, including HFQR team members. Compton expects to share findings from the study by next spring. And contingent upon further funding, she hopes to launch a second and third phase to the research, which will more closely examine how older adults adjust to transitions in their health care.

CLIMATE CHANGE TOOL HELPS FARMERS ADAPT Project funded by the Office of Applied Research and Innovation

or School of Natural Resources and Built Environment instructor Ryan Galbraith, and Dr. Nirmil Subedi, a forest economist from Natural Resources Canada, the goal was simple: help make large-scale environmental data more useful at the local level. The result is the Climate Change Adaption Tool.

Galbraith says the tool can influence environmental stewardship and can prove to be useful in a number of contexts, including helping farmers plan better for changing climates. On May 7, the two researchers and their tool won an Education for Sustainable Development Recognition Award from the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE). “We are honoured to receive this award,” says Galbraith. “It’s a way of getting this kind of work to advance to the next stages and into the hands of the local producers and farmers who need it.” While the tool isn’t yet widely available, Galbraith says they couldn’t have got this far without assistance from the Office of Applied Research and Innovation (OARI), which provided financial support through the Sustainable Initiative Fund (SIF). He says their help allows them to develop the tool into an app, making it more accessible for communities across Saskatchewan. “The OARI has been very helpful,” says Galbraith. “They’ve supported us without having to direct us around and given us the freedom to do what we do best. They’ve been a major champion for the project and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

Ryan Galbraith, School of Natural Resources and Built Environment instructor.

“There’s a disconnect between global climate change data and the local farmer,” says Galbraith. “The data that is available is provincial or national, but there isn’t much data for local communities. This tool makes big data more local, and can lead to effective environmental and economically sustainable solutions.”

The SIF fund was developed to support applied research initiatives that create ecological awareness and/or promote social and economic responsibility. “This fund was made available to encourage faculty and industry partners to take on more research opportunities that focus on fostering sustainable development and promotes environmental responsibility in Saskatchewan,” says June Anonson, acting director of the OARI. “By supporting this kind of research, we are reinforcing Sask Polytech core values.”

Saskatchewan Polytechnic Applied Research & Innovation Dr. Susan Blum, associate vice-president 400-119 4th Ave. S Saskatoon, SK S7K 5X2 1-866-467-4278 applied.research@saskpolytech.ca saskpolytech.ca/research