Drumheller Valley Secondary School’s (DVSS) technology programs received a boost from The Chartered Professional Accountants.
Students at DVSS are benefitting from a $10,000 grant, which has helped outfit their lab with new technology. The Rural High School Grant is funded through the Hesje Knowledge Centre and was established as part of the CPA Education Foundation’s Stepping Up initiative. DVSS was one of two schools to receive the grants.
Science teacher Jasmine Manning is excited to have the grant and since last spring, has been busy outfitting the lab to help students succeed. The technology lab allows students to develop a deep understanding and experience practical applications related to technology. This includes video arts, media arts, computer science, coding and robotics. These courses are offered to students from Grades 7-12.
The lab has since been outfitted with five Hummingbird Classroom robotics kits, Lego Mindstorm robotic kits and other robotic equipment and tools. These allow students to build and program robots. While the school division has similar kits they can procure, Manning says by having kits on-site they are able to spend more time on projects to understand the material better and develop persistence and problem-solving.
They are also outfitted with a new 3D printer, accessories and filament. This will give more student access to the technology and be able to create in a more timely manner.
The grant also supported computer and audio-visual equipment, including tripods, and Gimbal stabilizer units. This will allow the media arts and visual arts classes be able to use their own technology to create footage with camera movements.
Some of the technology they have purchased has made using this equipment more accessible. This includes technology such as an eye-tracking device, a trackpad and a trackball mouse.
Most of the equipment is already in use helping students learn and create.
“The CPA’s Rural High School Grant has allowed us to fulfill one of our biggest goals: increasing access to technology and practical applications opportunities to further develop students,” states its grant status update.

It wouldn’t be Christmas in the valley without the community coming together for an afternoon of fun at Yavis Family Restaurant.
Yavis’ will be holding a Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day 2022.
“The biggest thing is we want people to come down, enjoy the company and fellowship. Really that’s what it is all about. No one should be alone at home during Christmas,” said Ken Routh, chef and general manager at Yavis Family Restaurant, which is once again hosting the dinner.
The dinner provides a venue to enjoy a hot meal in the company of others. Attendance for the event spans all groups. Some seniors may not have family coming home, to others alone on the holiday.
Routh says this year, they will be collecting donations for The Salvation Army Food Bank during the event.
“Canned donations and cash donations are all going to go straight to The Salvation Army,” said Routh. “That’s because we want to help out the people who really need the help.”
“It’s tough in Alberta, and a lot of people are having challenges, the last thing we want to see is people alone at Christmas.”
The community is invited to the annual dinner from noon until 3 p.m. Volunteers will provide a pick-up service for those who do not have transportation.
There won’t be any deliveries this year but to arrange transportation to the event, you can call Yavis Family Restaurant on the day of the dinner, between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.