Funded Projects

Since 2016, over 117 UBC Okanagan faculty and partners have transformed teaching learning on our campus through more than 30 innovative projects.

Funded Projects

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Project Name	Theme	Year	Description
Cultivating Environmental Attention: Course Development for Accessible Environmental Humanities Field Methodologies Lead Applicant: Astrida NeimanisFaculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Experiential Learning Indigenizing Curriculum	2022	Drawing on emergent best practices in Environmental Humanities (EH) pedagogies, this project will develop and pilot a field methodologies course that centres access and inclusion, as part of the new Bachelor in Sustainability (BSust) degree.
Developing open digital learning and assessment tools to promote an engaging learning environment Lead Applicant: Peyman YousefiIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science and School of Engineering	OER	2022	This project aims to develop a question bank that contains formula-driven questions using python programming language and the open-source platform, PrairieLearn. The created resources promote students' conceptual understanding, distributed practice, and other active learning pedagogies.
Development of Open Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology Instructor and Student Resources that Promote and Support EDI in Health Care Education Lead Applicant: Zoë SoonIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion OER Professional Skills and Competencies	2022	This cross-campus, inter-institutional project will develop a pathology open textbook that supports instructor and student adoption of language that better supports peoples that have traditionally been marginalized across many academic and workplace settings including healthcare.
Disciplinary Approaches to Academic Integrity Lead Applicant: Anita Chaudhuri	OER	2022	To support the recommendations of the 2020-21 Academic Integrity Working Group, this project will generate undergraduate student-focused teaching and learning materials openly licensed toolkit. The materials in this toolkit may be contextualised to disciplinary contexts and used to support classroom discussion on Academic Integrity.
Embedding Professional Development Competencies in the Engineering Curriculum Lead Applicant: Alon EisensteinSchool of Engineering	Professional Skills and Competencies	2022	The project proposes to improve professional competencies for engineering students by embedding professional development curricular interventions across the undergraduate engineering curriculum.
Expanding the Open Problem Bank in physics and data science Lead Applicant: Firas MoosviIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	OER	2022	A key challenge for instructors - particularly in quantitative disciplines - is our reliance on expensive, publisher- textbook and homework systems. These systems often have a large library of unique, automatically graded assessment questions with high quality feedback to support student learning. This project aims to expand the Open Problem Bank in physics with more problems, seed the creation of new open problem banks in other disciplines, and improve feedback delivery for students to support the frequent testing paradigm.
Integrating Discovery and Computational Skills into First-Year Physics Labs Lead Applicant: Jake BobowskiIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Experiential Learning OER Professional Skills and Competencies	2022	A program review by physics has identified the need to incorporate computational skills throughout the physics degree. This project will scaffold the development of these skills throughout the physics degree, starting in first year by focusing on concept based learning and integrating Jupyter notebooks.
Open Science: Reproducibility and Transparency in Undergraduate Biology Lead Applicant: Jason PitherIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	OER Program Development and Transformation Teaching Resources	2022	Open Science describes science that is transparent, reproducible, respectful, and inclusive. This project builds upon a 2021 OER grant and other activities by the application team to integrate the principles and practices of Open Science throughout the undergraduate Biology curriculum.
Projects-to-Classrooms (P2C) program enhancement: Developing a flexible training framework to promote experiential learning in the Engineering curriculum Lead Applicant: Dean RichertSchool of Engineering	Experiential Learning Professional Skills and Competencies Program Development and Transformation Teaching Resources	2022	The School of Engineering's Projects-to-Classroom (P2C) program is an innovative experiential learning-focused co-curricular opportunity for students to solve real-world, industry inspired engineering problems. This project will further enhance these experiences and benefit students beyond the program by providing training and support for students to translate their workplace experiences and projects into curricular material (e.g., case studies, lab activities, course projects) that faculty may incorporate into their courses.
Review and redesign of UBC Okanagan’s Data Science programs Lead Applicant: Irene VrbikIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Professional Skills and Competencies Program Development and Transformation Teaching Resources	2022	In a commitment to training at the forefront of data science, the main goal of this project is to strengthen the current undergraduate and masters program by undertaking a significant program re-design. This project will develop a comprehensive learning outcomes map, develop open education resources, create new courses and incorporate evidence-informed pedagogies into the classroom that evoke change towards a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment.
Revising the Computer Science Major program to increase the participation of underrepresented groups Lead Applicant: Patricia LasserreIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Professional Skills and Competencies Program Development and Transformation	2022	Despite efforts to change the trends, stereotypes reinforced by media and movies as well as western culture continue to affect women and underrepresented groups’ participation in computer science. This project seeks to address these challenges by redesigning the program to integrate diversity and inclusion strategies, as well as and update the curriculum to align with current trends and focusing on core competencies.
Visual Research Ethics Non-Credit Micro-Credential Project Lead Applicant: Fiona P. McDonaldIrving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Professional Skills and Competencies Program Development and Transformation	2022	Fiona P. McDonald (FASS) and Joel Thiessen (UBC Studios Okanagan) are collaborating on an innovative non-credit micro-credential program in Canada that allows students to learn about ethical approaches to still and video capture. The Visual + Material Culture Research Ethics Non-Credit Micro-Credential Program presents a new opportunity to students at UBC, as well as members of the broader community, which will foster a space for applied skills in research ethics with a focus on visual and material culture methods.
Committing to a Culture Of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Building a Pathway Towards the Development of Culturally Competent BSN Prepared Nurses Lead Applicant: Manuela ReekieFaculty of Health and Social Development	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Indigenizing Curriculum Program Development and Transformation	2021	The UBC Okanagan BSN program focuses mainly on Western biomedical healthcare models and theories, with minimal content on decolonizing and anti-racism practices. This project will facilitate the development of culturally competent BSN graduates by incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion in the curriculum and training program while ensuring sufficient resources are available for support.
Context-Embedded Guided-Inquiry Learning Modules for Large Introductory Chemistry Courses Lead Applicant: Stephen McNeilIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	OER Program Development and Transformation	2021	A series of guided-inquiry learning modules to use as small-group activities in large introductory chemistry classes intended to complement traditional learning and develop the relevance of content taught, specifically the role of chemistry, in the context of broader society.
Developing An Open, Versioned, Algorithmically Randomized Physics Problem Bank Using Inclusive Language Lead Applicant: Firas MoosviIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	OER	2021	To implement a mastery learning approach in introductory physics courses, the project’s purpose is to develop a large bank of questions through the python programming language with the primary motivation of encouraging student success and learning by de-emphasizing exams and reducing test anxiety.
Developing Open Educational Resources To Contribute To The Indigenization of A Japanese Language Class: Introducing The Ainu Culture To Japanese Language Students Lead Applicant: Nina LangtonFaculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion OER	2021	The Ainu are the Indigenous people of Japan, but many Japanese language students are not aware of their existence. This project aims to introduce and deepen students’ awareness of Ainu history, culture and oral traditions, both past and present, through content-based learning.
Development of Formula-Driven Question Bank for Randomised In-Lecture Activities and Tutorial Questions for APSC 181 Dynamics Lead Applicant: Peyman YousefiSchool of Engineering	OER	2021	This project aims to develop a question bank that contains formula-driven questions using the open-source platform, PraireLearn, via which all UBC students will have access instead of those with purchased textbook access.
Fostering Best Practices In Reproducible Analyses Across The Biology Curriculum Lead Applicant: Jason PitherIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	OER	2021	This project aims to solve the issue of failed replicability in scientific research by training undergraduate students in the “open science” movement via supporting the development and application of reproducible lab assignment/experiment workflows and through network diagrams highlight how courses across the curriculum are connected.
Indigenous Land-based Writing and Pedagogy Guide for Students and Instructors Lead Applicant: Kerrie CharnleyFaculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Indigenizing Curriculum OER Teaching Resources	2021	This project aims to provide a guide to students and instructors as a critical resource for those learning how to write within university contexts such as the different learning environments. The guide will help instructors learn about and involve Indigenous pedagogies in courses.
Introductory Thermodynamics: An Open Textbook for Engineering Undergraduate Students Lead Applicant: Claire YanSchool of Engineering	OER	2021	This project aims to create an open textbook on introductory engineering thermodynamics, including interactive HP5 questions for each chapter, published on Pressbooks under a Creative Commons License.
Listening and Speaking English for Academic Purposes: Materials Development for Students Learning English As An Additional Language On UBC Okanagan Campus Lead Applicant: Scott Roy DouglasOkanagan School of Education	OER	2021	This project focuses on developing listening and speaking materials for students learning English as an additional language (EAL) in the English Foundation Program (EFP) through principles such as content-based instruction.
Psychological Science Lab Manual: An Open Resource for Introduction To Research Methods and Design Lead Applicant:  Derrick WirtzIrving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences	OER	2021	This project aspires to make access to research in psychology free, accessible and equitable for all psychology students by creating a comprehensive Psychological Science Lab Manual as an open resource to better prepare and guide students.
Statistics Lab Manual for Psychological Science Lead Applicant: Brian O’ConnorIrving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences	OER	2021	This project intends to develop an open lab manual to be used in a UBCO undergraduate psychology course with a lab component (PSYO 372) and be published for use in similar courses at other universities. The lab manual will be a resource to guide students in applying their knowledge of statistical models to answer research questions about critical psychological phenomena.
Active Computational Media Composition Toolkit Lead Applicant: Aleksandra DulicFaculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Experiential Learning Professional Skills and Competencies	2020	Active Computational Media Composition Toolkit will support students in developing critical media skills and promoting inclusion by producing works of media appropriate for the industry.
Building Intercultural Capacity through World Literature Lead Applicant: Alwyn SpiesFaculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Flexible Learning Program Development and Transformation	2020	A new World Literature and Intercultural Communication major and minor, to be housed in the Department of Languages and World Literatures through a hybrid online module system.
Certificate and Minor in Communications and Rhetoric (CORH) Lead Applicant: Aisha RavindranFaculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Interdisciplinary Professional Skills and Competencies Program Development and Transformation	2020	This project will develop both a Credit Certificate and a Minor in Communications and Rhetoric (CORH), building upon UBC Okanagan’s interdisciplinary expertise to offer unique learning pathways. The program goals anticipate that students will efficiently navigate various contexts, use rhetoric, and produce works to enhance career opportunities.
Developing Personalized, Expandable Learning Modules for CS1 Programming Lead Applicant: Abdallah MohamedIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Flexible Learning Interdisciplinary Professional Skills and Competencies	2020	Programming is a crucial, cross-disciplinary skill that has become important to audiences beyond merely computer scientists. This project aims to create a learning hub with modules covering computer programming fundamentals
Integrated Flexible Learning Model for Mechatronics & Industry 4.0 Certifications Lead Applicant: Ayman ElnaggarIrving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and School of Engineering	Flexible Learning Professional Skills and Competencies	2020	Industry trends indicate the importance of students graduating with strong theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, and practical skills that support manufacturing growth. The project aims to develop innovative and flexible learning modules that integrate the Festo curricula into the existing engineering curricula to help such trends.
On-Demand Student Support with Virtual Labs and Help Desk Lead Applicant: Ramon LawrenceIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Flexible Learning	2020	Computer science courses currently use labs to learn through interactions with fellow students and instructors, but lab attendance decreases significantly after 2nd year. The project aims to develop a platform that allows the learning objectives to be achieved using on-demand virtual labs and support.
Re-envisioning Human Kinetics Lead Applicant: Tanya FornerisFaculty of Health and Social Development	Experiential Learning Professional Skills and Competencies Program Development and Transformation	2020	After a substantial program review, revisions have been proposed to the current Human Kinetics program to prepare students to become better health and exercise professionals. This project will involve the redesign of three concentrations within Human Kinetics, including the addition of courses that integrate skills-based competencies and high-quality experiential learning.
Assimilation of Management and Health: Collaborative On-Line Curriculum for Conceptualizing Inter-Professionalism Lead Applicant: Jennifer JakobiFaculty of Health and Social Development and Faculty of Management	Flexible Learning Interdisciplinary Professional Skills and Competencies	2019	Students in Health and Exercise (HES) and Management (MGMT) discipline typically know little about the other sector. This program aims to bridge the gap through documented recognition and knowledge relevant to health sector management.
Creating Flexible Online Learning Modules to Support Information Literacy Instruction Lead Applicant: Sajni LaceyInterdisciplinary, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, Faculty of Management, Okanagan School of Education, and School of Engineering	Flexible Learning Interdisciplinary	2019	This project proposes to build a suite of online modules in Canvas Commons to introduce students to academic research and critical thinking skills for information location, application, and creation, enabling students to engage with materials across disciplines and within a broader context.
Indigenous Teaching and Learning in the English Classroom Lead Applicant: Allison HargreavesFaculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Indigenizing Curriculum Program Development and Transformation Teaching Resources	2019	This project has three core objectives; redesign ENG 114, deliver a new English course on Indigenous narrative form (ENGL 154) and develop an online open-access resource package for university educators on engaging Indigenous pieces of knowledge and approaches.
Modularisation of APSC180 Statics Lead Applicant: Ernest GohIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science and School of Engineering	Flexible Learning Program Development and Transformation	2019	This project aims to modularize APSC180 Statics into several lessons covering the syllabus collectively. By modularizing the course, students and instructors can decide which parts to spend more time on.
Aboriginal Engagement in the Applied Science Curriculum Lead Applicant: Ian FouldsSchool of Engineering	Indigenizing Curriculum Professional Skills and Competencies Program Development and Transformation	2018	This project responds to The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to “build student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect” (Calls to Action, clause 63) by developing instructional modules based on case studies.
Developing Learning Modules to Support Personalized Pathways Lead Applicant: Bowen HuiIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and School of Engineering	Flexible Learning Interdisciplinary	2018	COSC 341/541 (Human-Computer Interaction, HCI) is a cross-listed core computer science course that has traditionally attracted students from various disciplines, making teaching challenging. It has been proposed to modularize the course to cover different areas under HCI while allowing students to have the flexibility to choose the modules appropriate for them.
Students! Choose Your Own Pathway Lead Applicant: Myron CampbellIrving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, and School of Engineering	Flexible Learning Interdisciplinary Program Development and Transformation	2018	To improve student experience within Digital Media, courses belonging to two different methods are proposed for students learning visual arts: a traditional linear approach or partaking in modular pathways. A student will pick a route that best supports their respective program and appropriately tailor their experience.
Digital Media Flexible Learning Modules Lead Applicant: Miles ThorogoodIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies	Flexible Learning Professional Skills and Competencies	2017	This project proposes to create flexible learning modules that adapt to different levels of competencies, giving students the necessary critical skills to be leaders in digital media research and work.
UBCO Design Thinking Hub Lead Applicant: Ray Taheri-ArdebiliOkanagan School of Education and School of Engineering	Experiential Learning Flexible Learning Interdisciplinary	2017	This project will provide students from various disciplines with experiential learning in design thinking, design manufacturing, and group design work. Additionally, it will develop blended learning modules to allow students to obtain certificates (badges) that showcase their knowledge in multiple design areas.
Flexible and Flipped Delivery Modules for First-Year Chemistry Lead Applicant: Stephen McNeilIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Flexible Learning Program Development and Transformation	2016	Instead of following a traditional format, students in first-year chemistry will follow a flipped classroom format; gain familiarity with concepts before class and during class will partake as active participants in various activities meant to embed key chemistry principles.
Introduction to Engineering I2E Lead Applicant: Carolyn LabunSchool of Engineering	Professional Skills and Competencies	2016	Introduction to Engineering (I2E) is a co-curricular program that introduces all first-year engineering students to graduate attributes supporting personal and professional development.
Project Management Training for Undergraduate and Graduate Students at UBCO Lead Applicant: Gino DiLabioIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Experiential Learning Interdisciplinary Professional Skills and Competencies	2016	Students currently engaged in capstone-type projects acquire limited project management (PM) skills in an unstructured format. This program aims to seamlessly integrate PM training to support their success in projects and provide the opportunity to earn credentials for both discipline-specific and professional PM.
Re-envisioning Second Year Biology at UBC (2YB@UBC) Lead Applicant: Michael DeyholosIrving K. Barber Faculty of Science	Flexible Learning OER Program Development and Transformation	2016	Second-year biology courses, such as Cell Biology (BIOL 200), tend to have very large enrollments but focus mainly on traditional lectures due to the high cost of lab materials. It is proposed to switch to a blended course delivery system to reduce the gap in undergraduate science education, starting with BIOL 200.
The Use of 3D Imaging and Rapid Prototyping in Undergraduate Education Lead Applicant: Gregory duManoirFaculty of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Medicine – Southern Medical Program, and School of Engineering	Interdisciplinary Program Development and Transformation	2016	This project seeks to generate 3D images and CNC-milled foam models from 3D scans of cadavers from the medical school anatomy class for use in Human Kinetics anatomy classes and laboratories to overcome the issue of cadavers in large anatomy classes being