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Four graduating Selkirk College students have been recognized for projects aimed at expanding knowledge in applied science.

At last month’s convocation ceremony on the Castlegar Campus, the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) presented the four students with its Student Excellence in Technology Awards.

Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) Student Excellence in Technology Awards were handed out last month on the Castlegar Campus. At the presentation were (L-R) SEG Instructor Rena Vandenbos, ASTTBC Regional Manager Bruce Stevens AScT, award winner Laura Smit, award winner Suzanne Fordyce and Chair of Selkirk College’s School of Environment & Geomatics Dr. Brendan Wilson (missing award winners Carly Bastien and Rob Fox).

"Selkirk College’s School of Environment & Geomatics (SEG) has a very unique and exceptional student conference model which enables graduating students to present a summary of their final projects to a gathering of all students in the school,” said Bruce Stevens AScT, regional manager for ASTTBC who presented the awards.

Student Projects Take on Multitude of Issues

At the SEG annual student conference held in early-April, students from the multi-disciplinary program had the opportunity to present projects before peers, instructors and invited members of the industry. Out of that conference, SEG and ASTTBC chose its four winners of the annual awards.

Integrated Environmental Planning student Rob Fox was chosen for his project entitled Climate Change, Terrain Stability and Infrastructure Risk. Forest Technology student Carly Bastien was recognized for her presentation of Managing Forests to Maintain Fungal Habitat for the Pine Mushroom. Laura Smit, a graduate in the Recreation Fish and Wildlife Program, caught the eye of ASTTBC for her work on Assessment of the Impacts of Urbanization on Fish and Fish Habitat in Lower Cottonwood Creek. And Geographic Information Systems student Suzanne Fordyce was successful in her presentation of Falling Amazônia: Measuring Deforestation Trends in Rondônia, Brazil.

“The presentations were, without exception, clear examples of the level of understanding these students have of their subjects and the efforts they make to prepare and present in a very professional manner,” said Stevens.

Among other criteria, the winners each demonstrated a strong recognition of ASTTBC's primary values, which are, "to serve the public by technology professionals’ commitment to a safe, healthy, and sustainable society and environment."

The Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC is a self-governing professional association operating under provincial statute to regulate and register technology professionals in British Columbia. With more than 10,500 registered technologists, technicians and technical specialists ASTTBC members represent the vanguard of technology in all corners of BC.

Along with the recognition, students received a scholarship award of $150 each.

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