Welcome to the Near North District School Board – Experiential Learning Programs

At the Near North District School Board, we believe that providing students with access to opportunities to gain valuable skills through experience is important. We have collaborated with a variety of partners to provide these programs to our students.

Visit our Skills Catalyst page for access to resources for guidance and training for individuals looking to expand their learning and participate in opportunities that help to tear down barriers to employment.
Access Skills Catalyst Resources

Upcoming Events and Programs

March 1st, 2023

Build a Model Robot Workshop

Students will have a guided opportunity to construct their very own model robot and learn about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship pathway. More time may be required after this activity to complete the build.

April 24th-27th, 2023

Female Firefighters in Training (FFIT) Camp

The Female Firefighters in Training (FFIT) camp offers a unique introduction to a career in the fire service to young women. The camp offers a glimpse into the physical, mental and emotional challenges of the career. The Camp curriculum is similar to what can be found in many professional fire departments, simplified and shortened to give the young women an opportunity to complete as many evolutions as possible.

The participants take part in physical fitness training, learn about PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), and fire ground skills such as ventilation, search and rescue, hose control, proper carrying techniques and use of ladders, extrication, rappelling and tying knots.

November 14th, 2022 to June 2023

Mining Matters

November 14,2022 to June 2023 - Mining Matters

In partnership with CIM Northern Gateway, Near North District School Board, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, and Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, Mining Matters will be delivering 30 virtual workshops reaching over 600 students across our vast family of schools in November and December to celebrate North Bay Mining Week. Workshops will be delivered for grade 4 students and available in French and English.

About Mining Matters
Mining Matters is a charitable organization dedicated to educating young people to develop knowledge and awareness of Earth sciences, the minerals industry, and their roles in society. Mining Matters off¬ers educational resources that meet provincial curriculum expectations. The organization provides current information about rocks, minerals, metals, mining and the diverse career opportunities available in the minerals industry.
Explore the Mining Industry Promo Video

Past Events

December 14th, 2022

Build a Model Handbot Workshop

Students will have a guided opportunity to construct their very own model handbot and learn about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship pathway. More time may be required after this activity to complete the build.

The Build A Model Handbot workshop is an engaging opportunity for our young learners to explore their creative talents and aptitude for "learning-by-doing". This experiential learning opportunity is designed to encourage participating students in grades 4,5, and 6 to start making connections between their personal interest, talents, and developing superpowers to the world around them.

October 20th, 2022

OYAP Picnic Table Initiative

In this project, participating students will have the opportunity to construct their very own miniature picnic table.

Each kit includes all the tools, materials, and safety equipment required to complete the job. In addition to the hands-on workshop, a special guest will be sharing information about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship pathway.

One of the great take-aways from this project is that the essential skills and knowledge obtained through this learning experience can be transferred to a variety of “real-life” applications. For example, constructing a life-size picnic table out of wood!

May 26th, 2022

Build a Model Robot Workshop

Students will have a guided opportunity to construct their very own model robot and learn about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship pathway. More time may be required after this activity to complete the build.

May 5th, 2022

Build a Model Handbot Workshop

Students will have a guided opportunity to construct their very own model handbot and learn about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship pathway. More time may be required after this activity to complete the build.

The Build A Model Handbot workshop is an engaging opportunity for our young learners to explore their creative talents and aptitude for "learning-by-doing". This experiential learning opportunity is designed to encourage participating students in grades 4,5, and 6 to start making connections between their personal interest, talents, and developing superpowers to the world around them.

April 27th, 2022

Build a Pizza Night

*Guided by a Red Seal Chef
**Pizza kits will be provided at no cost

Build a Pizza night is an engaging opportunity for you and your family to test your culinary talents while learning more about the pathways to the skilled trades. This will be a virtual interactive experience guided by a red seal chef and hosted by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and School College Work Initiative (SCWI).

Each participating family will receive a pizza kit with the basic ingredients to create 2 pizzas and 1 dessert pizza. Please note, the kits will be available for pick up at your child's secondary school.

Please note, this activity is bilingual.

April 11th, 2022

SCWI Easter Virtual Event

The Easter Virtual Decorating Activity is an exciting experiential learning initiative brought to you by the School College Work Initiative (SCWI). The goal of this opportunity is to provide an engaging and delightfully fun activity that promotes and fosters many of the essential skills required in the culinary trade.

Participating students will be supplied with a resource kit that includes all the tools and ingredients needed to decorate the culinary treats. Chef Emily, a Red Seal Chef from Canadore College, will be demonstrating how to bake the cookies from scratch as well as the enjoyable techniques to decorate them. It will be an abosulutely "treat-a-licious" experience!

April 6-7th, 2022

Build a Miniature Shed Virtual Workshop

Participating students will have a hands-on opportunity to construct their very own miniature shed through the virtual guidance of the OYAP/PAJO coordinators. In addition, a local tradesperson will be sharing information about the apprenticeship pathway.

February 24th, 2022

Build a Miniature Dragster Virtual Workshop

Participating students will have a hands-on opportunity to construct their very own miniature dragster through virtual guidance of the OYAP/PAJO coordinators.

A series of special guests including Skills/Compétences Ontario, Canadore College and Collège Boréal have been invited to share information about the apprenticeship pathway and the skilled trades.

November 15th, 2021 to December 31st, 2022

Mining Matters

November 15 to December 31 - Mining Matters

In partnership with CIM Northern Gateway, Near North District School Board, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, and Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, Mining Matters will be delivering 30 virtual workshops reaching over 600 students in November and December to celebrate North Bay Mining Week. Workshops will be delivered for grade 4 students and available in French and English.

About Mining Matters
Mining Matters is a charitable organization dedicated to educating young people to develop knowledge and awareness of Earth sciences, the minerals industry, and their roles in society. Mining Matters off¬ers educational resources that meet provincial curriculum expectations. The organization provides current information about rocks, minerals, metals, mining and the diverse career opportunities available in the minerals industry.

December 16th, 2021

Virtual Aircraft Activity

This virtual activity is an exciting experiential learning initiative brought to you by The School College Work Initiative (SCWI) in partnership with Canadore College and Voyageur Aviation.

Our goal is to provide an engaging, guided activity that promotes Canadore's Aviation Campus and Dual Credit (DC) program. Participants will also hear about post-secondary options available in the aviation field through our discussion with Voyageur Aviation representatives.

Voyageur Aviation Corp., a Canadian licenced Air Operator and Approved Maintenance Organization, was established in 1968 at its current headquarters of North Bay, Ontario. Voyageur Airways operates charter, ACMI, and special mission aircraft throughout world.

November 24th, 2021

Build a Miniature Shed Virtual Workshop

Participating grade 10 students will have a hands-on opportunity to construct their very own miniature shed through the virtual guidance of the OYAP/PAJO coordinators. In addition, a local tradesperson will be sharing information about the apprenticeship pathway.

October 27th, 2021

Provincial OYAP Picnic Table Initiative

In this project, participating students will have the opportunity to construct their very own miniature picnic table.

Each kit includes all the tools, materials, and safety equipment required to complete the job. In addition to the hands-on workshop, a special guest will be sharing information about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship pathway.

One of the great take-aways from this project is that the essential skills and knowledge obtained through this learning experience can be transferred to a variety of “real-life” applications. For example, constructing a life-size picnic table out of wood!

June 3rd, 2021

Miniature Picnic Tables

In this project, participating students will have the opportunity to construct their very own miniature picnic table.

Each kit includes all the tools, materials, and safety equipment required to complete the job. In addition to the hands-on workshop, a special guest will be sharing information about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship pathway.

One of the great take-aways from this project is that the essential skills and knowledge obtained through this learning experience can be transferred to a variety of “real-life” applications. For example, constructing a life-size picnic table out of wood!

April 28th, 2021

Apprenticeship Pathway

Discover the Apprenticeship Pathway in this live interactive information session.

Understanding the apprenticeship pathway as an educational system
How to start an apprenticeship in high school
Advantages of the apprenticeship in relation to college and university
Community support around apprenticeship

April 7-9th, 2021

Paddle Build

Photo of blackboard with dimensions and process to build paddle

In addition to learning about shop safety, students measure and select the wood, glue and laminate it and receive lessons and knowledge in mathematics to accurately design and build their paddle. Students learn about a variety of skilled trades while learning how to use hand tools to shape and finish their paddles. The paddles they make are given to the students upon graduation as a symbol of the hard work and dedication throughout their time at MDPS.

This project exposes students to the skilled trades, experiential education, practical application of mathematics, and facilitates a positive transition to FJ.

April 1, 2021

Skills Ontario Career Exploration Event

Explore careers in the skilled trades and technologies! Join our event to participate in workshops, tours,
demonstrations, and mentor panels! As part of our Young Women’s Initiatives, these virtual events focus on women in these careers.

This year we will be hosting our programming in a virtual format! We will continue to have the amazing mentors and workshops that we are known for. Going virtual allows us to reach a larger audience and to offer more spaces for young women to learn about the skilled trades and technologies! We know this year will be a learning curve and we strive to keep everything as simple and consistent as possible as we all navigate working through COVID-19.

March 31, 2021

SCWI Easter Virtual Event

The Easter Virtual Decorating Activity is an exciting experiential learning initiative brought to you by The School College Work Initiative (SCWI). The goal of this opportunity is to provide an engaging and guided activity that promotes and fosters many of the essential skills required in the culinary trade.

Students will be supplied with a kit that includes all items needed to decorate the cookies and cake pops. Chef Emily and Olivia will be demonstrating how to bake the cookies from scratch as well as the technique to decorate them.

March 24, 2021

Culinary Universal Skills Initiative

The Culinary Universal Skills Initiative is designed to introduce participating secondary students to the exciting and rewarding world of the Culinary Arts.

Participants will have the opportunity to build and enhance their culinary skills under the guidance of the Canadore College Culinary Team.

Get INVOLVED and get COOKING!

February 25, 2021

Paddle Beading Activity

Paddle Beading Event Image

The Paddle Beading activity is an exciting experiential learning initiative funded by the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). The goal of this opportunity is to provide an engaging and guided activity that promotes and fosters many of the essential skills required for a career in the skilled trades.

Guest speaker Chief Gerry Duquette Jr., from Dokis First Nation, will open the event. Chief Duquette Jr. will speak about the importance of all young people exploring and following a path towards personal achievement. Highlighted in his message will be specific examples of career opportunities in our area for young indigenous peoples. Throughout the conversation with Chief Duquette Jr., students will have the opportunity to interact virtually and ask questions.

November 23, 2020

Chef for a Day

The Chef for a Day Event is an initiative where participating students will have the opportunity to build their culinary knowledge and essential skills through a synchronous approach to learning. This approach involves “live” on-line demonstrations and instructions provided by the workshop instructor with opportunities for continuous learning through a Question & Answer chat forum.

The ‘hands-on” component of this blended initiative will be done at the participating school or, for remote learners, the students’ residence under the supervision of a caring adult.

November 9 to 13, 2020

Mining Matters

November 9 to 13 - Mining Matters

In partnership with CIM Northern Gateway, Near North District School Board, Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord, and Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, Mining Matters will be delivering 24 virtual workshops reaching over 500 students in November to celebrate North Bay Mining Week, November 9 to 13. Workshops will be delivered for grade 4 students and available in French and English.

About Mining Matters
Mining Matters is a charitable organization dedicated to educating young people to develop knowledge and awareness of Earth sciences, the minerals industry, and their roles in society. Mining Matters off¬ers educational resources that meet provincial curriculum expectations. The organization provides current information about rocks, minerals, metals, mining and the diverse career opportunities available in the minerals industry.