Current Projects

Cambrian received a CCI grant of $200,000 in March of 2010 to undertake applied research projects in the area of environmental monitoring and impact assessment and energy systems technologies.

Researchers will undertake a variety of applied research projects which include, for example, Cambrian's Phytoextraction of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Sudbury Soils project which proposes to investigate the technique of phytoextraction for the clean-up of low to moderate concentrations of heavy metals from residential and industrial soils affected by mining and smelting. A second project proposes to develop and assess a more efficient design of an off-grid energy alternative for residential buildings in northern climates. Cambrian's final project aims to develop and optimize the design parameters and construct a prototype of a high efficiency heat battery that will allow the optimal storage of solar energy in thermal form and allow for its use, on demand, for residential application in northern regions.

Sustainable Energy/ Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment
Cambrian continues to explore and expand its research capacity in the areas of sustainable or “green” energy for northern climates and environmental monitoring and assessment.

Current projects focus on:

• Phytoremediation as a means of cleaning-up moderate levels of heavy metals in areas impacted by mining activities.
• Efficient hydrogen fuel cells/wind turbine systems.
• Optimization of heat batteries.

With the understanding and conviction that our learners will be the next generation of “entrepreneurs” and innovators, all of our projects involve students and faculty from a cross-section of programs. These include: Energy Systems Technology, Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment, Civil Engineering Technology, Chemical Engineering Technology, and Instrumentation and Control Technology.

Related Activities that support the Cambrian’s focus on Sustainability

Living Building Conference 2009

“In Pursuit of True Sustainability”
The Living Building Conference 2009 was a two day event held in the eDome at Cambrian College. The focus of this year’s conference was on LEED® Canada for Homes rating system, energy efficient home design and other issues related to energy and residential buildings. The conference and trade show took place on October 1, 2009 and the pre-conference LEED ® Canada for Homes workshop took place on September 30, 2009.

There were 20 registrants for the LEED Canada workshop and approximately 70 participants in the conference itself. Participants included faculty/students from Cambrian, Fanshawe and Nova Scotia Community Colleges, as well as members/employees from Rainbow District School Board, Earthcare, City of Sudbury, Greater Sudbury Hydro.

Past Projects

Identifying trends and supports for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are transitioning into postsecondary
Through the Glenn Crombie Centre at Cambrian College, this project aims to quantify the numbers of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder expected in 2009 and 2010, and to identify the best practices currently supporting their academic careers that would be transferrable in the postsecondary environment. Funded by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO).

Employment Follow-up: Success of Graduates with Learning Disabilities from Ontario’s Colleges and Universities
Through the Northern Ontario Assessment and Resource Centre (NOARC), which is headquartered at Cambrian College, in collaboration with Queen’s Regional Assessment and Resource Centre (RARC), this project aims to discover the employment satisfaction and success of students diagnosed with learning disabilities who received an adult psychological assessment at both Queen’s RARC and Cambrian’s NOARC and who have exited a postsecondary institution. Funded by HEQCO.

Mental Illness in the Postsecondary Student Population
This project aims to capture the number and type of mental health issues and complexity of mental health issues that students are presenting with and the impact on academic performance. This project was initiated and is supported by the Coordinating Committee on Student Services and has the support of Ontario College Counsellors, Ontario College and University Health Association and the College Committee on Disability Issues. Funded by HEQCO.

Text to Voice and Word Technology in Adolescents with Language Learning Disabilities: An examination of their effectiveness and long-term impact on academic outcomes
Through the Glenn Crombie Centre at Cambrian College, this project will determine the effectiveness of assistive technology to improve reading and writing skills in adolescents with language learning disabilities. Funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

The Impact of Aversive Conditioning on Nuisance Black Bears
The purpose of this project is to test the effectiveness and longevity of aversive conditioning on nuisance black bears in residential areas (Municipality of Greater Sudbury). Funded by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Survival, Population Dynamics and Spatial Behaviour of Elk Introduced to Ontario
The purpose of this project is to monitor the core and satellite elk herds in order to successfully protect and manage the population for the future. Funded by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Sudbury Elk Restoration Committee.

Text to Voice Technology in an Adult Aboriginal Sample with Reading Difficulties (2009)
Through NOARC, which is headquartered at Cambrian College, this project will determine the efficacy, acceptance, and utilization of text to voice assistive technology within a sample of adult Aboriginal students with reading difficulties enrolled in or accepted to a postsecondary institution in Northern Ontario. Funded by the Aboriginal Education Office, of the Ministry of Education.

Examination of the Psychometric Properties of Brief Self-Report Measures of Anxiety in a Sample of Post-Secondary Students (2008
Through NOARC, this project will develop normative data for brief measures of symptoms associated with panic disorder, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and test anxiety in postsecondary student populations and to improve the ability of psychologists to assess students with respect to such difficulties.

Decolonizing Institutional Practices (2007)
Through a collaborative effort between the Wabnode Institute of Cambrian College and York University, this study will identify, from the student’s perspective, the institutional structures, policies, procedures, and practices that support Aboriginal students in their learning and to determine the factors that impede student success.

Impact on Exercise and Nutrition on Grade 3 students (2007)
The purpose of this project is to investigate whether an eight- month exercise and nutrition intervention program, administered by Cambrian College’s fitness and leisure students to elementary school children, could influence body mass index, food choices and physical activity compared with children not receiving the intervention. In collaboration with the Rainbow District School Board, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and the Sudbury and District Health Unit.

Sleep Hygiene and Sleep Problems in Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (2006)
Through NOARC, in collaboration with Queens University, this study will investigate the influence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) symptomatology on sleep processes in adults.

Developing Updated Canadian Normative Data for the Learning and Memory Battery (LAMB) (2006)
Through NOARC, this project will collect updated normative data for the Learning and Memory Battery, focusing primarily on young Canadian adults between the ages of 17 and 30.

Turning Points for Teens (2005)
This project will develop a targeted intervention program designed to stimulate healthy lifestyle choices with regard to eating attitudes and behaviours, exercise, body image, emotional and interpersonal well being, for use by female teens, young female adults and health care. In collaboration with the Outreach Program for Eating Disorders and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health.

Analysis of Delta Screener Research (2005)
The aim of this project is to conduct a predictive and item analysis of the Delta Screener: a screening tool for adults at risk of learning disabilities. A collaboration between the Glenn Crombie Centre and NOARC. Funded by the College Committee on Disability Issues

Homework Club: Effect on School Output of Children in Care of the Society (2004)
This project will examine the impact of the academic support service on children who receive the service through Homework Clubs. Homework Clubs are set up by the Children’s Aid Society for children in care, to provide them academic support in order to enhance their school success. In partnership with the Children’s Aid Society, the District of Sudbury & Manitoulin and Laurentian University.