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Red Deer Polytechnic is proud of the diverse students, faculty, staff, partners, alumni and others who are part of the Polytechnic community. Read the latest news and blogs about Red Deer Polytechnic's people, programs and initiatives.

RDP News

Black and white photo of spotlights with green RDP graphics overtop. Text on screen reads "August 28, 2024. Red Deer Polytechnic. Awards of Excellence"
RDP Celebrates Faculty & Staff at 2024 Awards of Excellence
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) will recognize employees who have made extraordinary contributions serving students, the institution and communities over the past year at the 2024 Awards of Excellence.   The Awards of Excellence are given annually as formal recognition for remarkable contributions from faculty and staff that extend beyond their job requirements. These contributions may be through innovation, leadership, excellence in service or teaching, and make a positive impact at the institution, in communities or in their profession.   This year, there were 34 RDP nominations in six categories:   Innovation Jennifer Dornstauder, Engineering Technical Lead, has consistently explored creative ways to enhance manufacturing designs in RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC). In addition to being a role model to students, she has helped to enrich the teaching, learning and applied research opportunities at the Polytechnic. As a respected Design and Fabrication Lab Technician, Blair Foster has helped to create enhanced prototypes in the CIM-TAC, advancing the Polytechnic’s applied research and manufacturing capacity. His expertise, positive demeanour and ability to teach have provided valuable mentorship to students and colleagues, enhancing innovation and opportunities at RDP. Leanne LaBrash, Training Development Lead, has explored the development of new programs in RDP’s Continuing
Two people in protective suits pour molten bronze into a mold in a workshop
Hundreds of Artists Advance Their Skills at RDP’s Series Summer Art Workshops
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) continues to provide opportunities for aspiring artists to immerse themselves in creative environments throughout the academic year. Throughout July, 291 artists participated in 31 Series Summer Art Workshops, held in the Polytechnic’s world-class art studios. RDP hosted both one-day and one-week workshops, providing options for artists. “We are extremely proud to continue the longstanding tradition of hosting Series Summer Art Workshops on main campus,” says Martin Thomsen, Interim Dean, Continuing Education and Corporate Training. “As a polytechnic, we offer diverse applied research, education and training opportunities, including in the arts, that contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of Alberta.” Nineteen art instructors from across North America, including one from New York City, taught a variety of art disciplines. The workshops included metalsmithing and sculpting, glass bead making, painting and printmaking. There were four feature artists who shared their expertise at Series Summer Art Workshops: Jean Pederson - painting with mixed media, wet glazing with watercolour and open studio Arne Handley – introduction to pottery Willie Wong - watercolour for beginners and northern lights painting Milt Fischbein - filigree jewelry “I want to thank the instructors, participants, staff and volunteers for making this year’s Series
Recognition of Scholarly Activity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning graphic
Celebrating vast scholarly activity & applied research
Recently, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) celebrated its faculty’s scholarly activity and independent applied research at the Recognition of Scholarly Activity (RoSA) Awards and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (ETaL) Capstone Recognition Event. “At RDP, we are proud to acknowledge the diverse scholarly activity and applied research projects that has been conducted by faculty during the past year,” says Dr. Alison Jeppesen, Associate Dean, Division of Teaching, Learning and Scholarship. “The RoSA Awards and ETaL Capstone Recognition Event is one example of how we demonstrate our commitment to teaching development, life-long learning and the advancement of research that creates positive impact across Alberta, Canada and the world.” RDP faculty were recognized for their breadth of scholarly activity in four categories: Discovery, Integration, Application/Engagement and Teaching. The following 16 award recipients were honoured at the event for their influential and broadly disseminated scholarly activity during 2023: Dr. Fola Oluwasina, University Sciences Diploma instructor Co-authored article titled Burnout among Residents: Prevalence and Predictors of Depersonalization, Emotional Exhaustion and Professional Unfulfillment among Resident Doctors in Canada, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Dr. Kristy Erickson, University Sciences Diploma instructor Authored article titled More than Marshmallows: Implementation and Assessment of
Two children doing experiment in science lab
RDP & Actua Continue Partnership to Extend Red Hot Science
Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and Actua have renewed their partnership to continue offering central Alberta youth innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) experiences. Recently, RDP received a renewed grant of $135,000 from Actua, Canada’s leading STEM youth outreach organization to continue advancing scientific discovery through the institution’s Red Hot Science program. This funding from Actua is through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund, intended to grow the nation’s science, technology and innovation communities. “We appreciate the ongoing collaboration and support from Actua,” says Dr. Robbie Halonen, Dean, Donald School of Science, Business and Computing. “Through the Red Hot Science program at RDP, central Alberta youth receive unique scientific exploration opportunities in collaboration with the Polytechnic’s faculty, staff and students. As a result, youth are inspired to pursue a career in STEM, helping to fulfill the needs of the province and nation.” The Polytechnic’s Red Hot Science program, which is designed for students from kindergarten to grade 12, offers customizable hands-on activities while helping to remove barriers to STEM experiences. Classes and youth groups have several options for activities, including to learn more about technology and engineering. Students may also create simple coding, build robots and enhance their digital