Did you know you could build a house out of used shipping containers? This month's newsletter features a story on how our interior design students were challenged by Annie Cronin, the green design and sustainable concepts instructor at the college, to design a livable space inside a shipping container. You might say they were asked to think inside the box. The creativity shown by these students is fascinating. If you were unable to watch the recent drama performances you still have a chance to view the wonderful work of our students. Linda's Breen's dancers present “Getcha Groove On” Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the main theater. Go early and look at the fabulous projects created by the multimedia students. The projects are on display in the main theater foyer. Have a happy holiday season and don't forget to support student scholarships by purchasing raffle tickets for the gift baskets on display in Admissions and Records.
CAMPUS NEWS
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Those Who Work “Behind the Scenes”
Cañada's Phi Theta Kappa chapter honored four classified staff members and the buildings and grounds crew Nov. 13-17 for their tireless, behind the scenes work on behalf of the college.
Loretta Farris, co-advisor for Beta Zeta Nu, Cañada's Phi Theta Kappa chapter, said that one staff member was honored each day. They included Mike Tyler, IT support technician; Roberta Chock, Web coordinator; Bob Haick, program services coordinator in Counseling; and Terry Watson, financial analyst. The entire buildings and grounds crew were also honored.
“We provided each of them with a small token of our appreciation in recognition of the contributions they have made towards the college,” she said. “We chose these people because they work so hard ‘behind the scenes’ and we wanted them to know how much we appreciate everything they do to make our campus a success.”
Farris said the chapter wanted to honor workers at the college as part of the Phi Theta Kappa Founders Day celebration. It recognizes the day Phi Theta Kappa was founded and keeps with the spirit of recognizing the achievement of others.
Multimedia Student Arts Show Opens Dec. 1
More than 40 pieces of original digital paintings, imaging and photography will be on display Dec. 1 through Jan. 20 in the Main Theater foyer as part of the Multimedia Student Art Show 2006.
Approximately 50 students will display both chemical and digital photography works including submissions from members of the new Cañada College Photography Club. The club recently rented a professional studio in San Francisco and Michael Sims, digital photography instructor, brought his equipment to allow participating students to take advantage of professionally staged shots of products, portraits and models.
“This is exciting work,” said Jeannie Mecorney, professor of multimedia art and technology. “I would encourage the campus community to take a few minutes to look at some of the fantastic work submitted by our students.”
Getcha Groove On!
Dance, dance, dance. If you enjoy dancing mark your calendar for Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. That's when Linda Breen will direct the annual student dance performance in the main theater. “Getcha Groove On” is free and open to the public.
Slimed! National Chemistry Week Erupts at Cañada
Red slime, a volcanic eruption, and lots of curious faces punctuated National Chemistry Week at Cañada College. National Chemistry Week is a community-based program of the American Chemical Society. The annual event unites ACS local sections, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry.
Chemistry students at Cañada demonstrated simple chemical reactions, displayed posters, and conducted a bake sale to raise money for their chapter. Through fun events and promotions, the students were able to share their enthusiasm for chemistry. They also helped boost public awareness of chemistry's contributions to society.
“It's not often we're able to share chemistry with the entire campus,” said Jeanette Medina, chemistry professor. “National Chemistry Week gives our students and faculty the opportunity to share our love of chemistry with a larger audience.”
Drama Performances Focus on Comedy of Love
What's funny about love? Well, if you attended either of the fall semester drama performances held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 you would have seen quite a bit of humor centered around love and relationships.
Drama Instructor Kathleen Woods and 15 students put together a very entertaining series of scenes and one-act performances that entertained crowds on both nights. “This was a good way to get our feet wet, so to speak,” said Woods. “For many of our students, it was the first time they had performed in front of live crowds. Our goal is to build on this for the spring semester.”
Woods said a larger production is planned for the spring.
Multimedia Students Tour Electronic Arts
While most of today's college students have mastered the art of playing video games, Cañada College multimedia students are mastering the art of creating the games.
In October, students toured Electronic Arts in Redwood City , the world's largest maker of video games including such hits as Madden NFL and NCAA College Football. During the tour, students interacted with employees and learned first-hand what a typical day at the company is like.
“Our students are able to understand the video game industry from the inside,” said Jeannie Mecorney, professor of multimedia art and technology. Mecorney said Cañada students have found work at the company and the college is working with Electronic Arts representatives to strengthen the relationship.
FACES OF CAÑADA
Jose Romero Moves to EOPS
Jose Romero is back where he started nearly 15 years ago. Romero's first job at Cañada involved working with data in the office of Extended Opportunity Programs & Services. Now he's back as the program services coordinator for EOPS.
Romero moved to EOPS from the Community Based English Tutoring program. He is now helping the children of adult ESL learners who he previously worked with at CBET. “I talk to parents who were involved in CBET and they are bringing their kids to the college and we're able to provide assistance through EOPS. It's very rewarding.”
Romero said he enjoys working directly with students and appreciates knowing immediately whether or not he's able to help them. “I'm able to talk to the students regularly so I know they are getting the academic and financial support they need. That's very important.”
Romero said the transition was made easier by all of the EOPS staff. “Everyone has been so supportive and welcoming.”
Carmina Chavez Transitions to CBET
Carmina Chavez calls her move from Outreach to the Community Based English Tutoring program a privilege. She moves from helping high school students learn about college to working with their parents.
“It's amazing to see how eager they are to learn,” Chavez said. “They work all day but they are very excited about the opportunity to learn English and better their lives.”
Chavez spent the past five years directing the college's outreach efforts and her efforts helped the college attract a younger, more diverse student body. As a community organizer for the past 25 years in Redwood City, San Mateo and East Palo Alto, working as the coordinator for CBET is a natural fit for her talents.
“I'm proud of the programs I created to help the college reach out to high school students but I've always had a goal to help a larger community,” she said. “Letting people know that there is financial aid available to help them pay for college, there are programs for them at Cañada, and that they can be successful beyond simply learning English - that's very exciting.”
Editor's Note: If you have ideas for the Faces of Cañada section of the online newsletter, please contact Robert Hood at ext. 3340 or by e-mail at hoodr@smccd.edu.
SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENTS
Shipping Containers as Homes? Design Students Say Yes
Class project shows Cañada College design students that shipping containers are livable
Turning used shipping containers into affordable, eco-friendly housing is the latest trend with innovative architects and a recent class project has convinced some Cañada College interior design students that the used metal boxes can have all the comforts of home.
Annie Cronin, the green design and sustainable concepts instructor at the college, challenged her students this semester to think inside the box - as in designing a livable space inside a metal cube. Cronin used shipping containers because they are routinely going back to Asia empty out of the Bay Area, they can be purchased for about $900, and they are strong enough to resist winds of up to 170 miles per hour.
While the local hipsters might consider living in a metal box trendy, is it realistic to think a shipping container can serve as a home?
“If you lose your home in an earthquake, flood, hurricane or some other natural disaster, you begin to look at a well-designed shipping container in a different light,” Cronin said. “That's what I told my students. They need to take the interior of a shipping container and make it into a home. They all remembered the images from Hurricane Katrina and they understand that living in the Bay Area we are not immune to natural disasters.”
Cronin said her students embraced the project and provided creative designs ranging from a solar-powered container home to an entire planned community that included a garden, kitchen, laundry room, play area, clinic and support services.
“Ultimately, the design process needs to focus on true basic needs and the current environmental situation,” said Anna Teeples, who had an internship with Habitat for Humanity and worked on a sustainable home in Brisbane. “With these two factors in mind, making trade-offs for usual comfort items is somewhat easier. It challenges you to think deeply about what is needed versus what is wanted, both personally and socially.”
The designs included hardwood floors, complete kitchens and bathrooms, tile and other amenities found in normal homes. Student Cristobal Barajas even included sun-tracking solar panels.
“My solar energy concept uses the simple mechanism of ordinary sun-tracking solar panels,” Barajas said. “It offers a computerized sun-tracking mechanism that can find the most efficient source of solar power, requires almost no maintenance, no set up is needed after installation, and they are more attractive than ordinary solar panels.”
Cronin said she was amazed at the students' creativity and their attention to making the designs eco-friendly.
“They went beyond simply designing the interior of a shipping container,” she said. “They designed livable spaces using materials that were either recycled or environmentally friendly. This is the essence of green design.”
Teeples said local governments in areas susceptible to natural disasters should consider using shipping containers as alternative housing.
“I believe local governments that are forward thinking, socially prepared and are environmentally responsible would indeed be receptive to this as a form of alternative, affordable housing,” she said. While a shipping container isn't an ideal home, Teeples said it would be a welcome comfort for people who have lost their house. “My learning came from trying to understand the emotional process of losing a home and the need to recreate that space. A home is a place to recharge. In losing that space, a person has lost their ability to rekindle and regenerate energy that helps them to get through daily challenges.”
Support Troops in Iraq with Care Packages
Students in the Human Services classes are teaming up with the Associated Students of Cañada College to gather items for care packages that will be sent to men and women serving in Iraq .
Contributions will be accepted Nov. 29 through Dec. 13. All items will be taken to the San Carlos Police Department and then will be shipped to Iraq. Donation boxes are available in the Bookstore, Counseling Center, Student Center, Library, and the mailrooms in buildings 3, 13, and 18. A jar for cash donations and pre-paid phone cards is available in the Bookstore.
All donated items must be new and in original packaging. Items needed include deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, soap, detergent, current magazines, socks, and other necessities. You can also drop off cards and letters with your message of support and appreciation.
Soccer, Volleyball, Golf Complete Fantastic Fall Season
The 2006 fall athletics season will be remembered as one of the most successful in Cañada history. Three of the four sports —men's soccer, volleyball, and golf—all participated in post-season play.
Coach Kevin Kramer led the volleyball team to its first-ever playoff berth. The Colts finished the season with an overall record of 18-4 and 8-2 in Coast Conference play. The Colts fell in the first round of the Nor-Cal playoffs to Foothill College .
The men's soccer team defeated American River College in the first round of the Nor-Cal playoffs, 3-1. They battled top-seeded Taft College to a 1-1 tie through two overtime periods before finally losing the game on penalty kicks. The team returns 21 players next fall so it should improve on the 13-6-4 overall record and 7-2-3 Coast Conference mark.
Cañada freshman golfer Dodisa Delasin finished sixth overall at the 2006 Women's California Community Golf Championships held at the Belmont Country Club in Fresno while teammate Susie Q. Conklin finished 16th.
Delasin won medalist honors at the Northern California Championships and was named the Central Valley Conference Most Valuable Player. She also made the All-State Team. Conklin, and Kimberly Bedolla joined Delasin on the Central Valley All-Conference team.
Beta Zeta Nu's Eco-Tip of the Month
In partnership with Beta Zeta Nu, Cañada's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the Olive Press will publish a monthly eco-friendly tip of the month. These tips will be submitted by members of Beta Zeta Nu. This month's tip:
“If you print documents, print on once-used paper and/or bleach-free, recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available (or hemp/alternative-source paper, if you can afford it).”
Editor's Note: If you have an idea for a student feature, contact Robert Hood at ext. 3340.
CAMPUS CALENDAR
Please see the EVENTS CALENDAR on inside Cañada for the latest event listings.
Editor's Note: If you would like to submit an event to the Cañada Calendar of Events please contact Debbie Joy at ext. 3318, or use the link at the bottom of the Calendar.
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