7oaks Tech Hub
New Media Manitoba and Seven Oaks school division are proud to partner on this learning initiative. Our hope is that skills students learn at Tech Hub will serve as that spark that inspires them towards careers in Manitoba’s exciting Interactive Digital Media (IDM) industry.
Located in the heart of Winnipeg’s historic exchange district, Tech Hub has created a classroom space intended to mirror a working Interactive Digital Media (IDM) studio environment as closely as possible.
Students develop both technical and foundational skills, such as collaboration and effective communication.
About
Tech Hub is a unique program offered to high school students during parts of their regular school day.This program provides the necessary building blocks to learn critical digital design and development skills.By working with mentors, students experience training and activities that are directly relevant to careers of the Interactive Digital Media (IDM) sector.At this time, the current focus is on skills related to Game Development which can be transferred to other indsutries. Some of the content includes:
- Project Management
- Asset Creation for Real-Time Development (2D + 3D)
- Game Design
- Real-Time Engine WorkSome of the software students can expect to learn how to use/explore includes:
- Blender
- Unity
- Quixel Mixer
- Krita
Fall 2022
This Fall 2022 Cohort started September 2022 and was completed in January 2023.
These students focused on many different areas from Programming, Level Design, to various Digital Art forms.The instructors for the MET cohort were Marc Cacho and Tamara Abas. The instructor for the Exchange cohort was Marc Cacho.You can find a list of the students and their portfolios below:
MET
| Student | Exploration Focus |
|---|---|
| Gregory Bobby (He/Him) | Environment Art |
| Parker Brega (He/Him) | Level Design / Music |
| Jamellah Concepcion (She/Her) | 3D Character Art / Rigging |
| Adrian Kozelko (He/Him) | 3D Modelling |
| Onyx Lackey (He/Him) | Animation |
| Shyra Lantican (She/Her) | Digital Illustration |
| Kirby Magbag (Any/They/Them) | Concept Art / Character Modelling |
| Daniel Magtibay (He/Him) | Prop & Character Design |
| Avery Powell | 3D Modelling |
| Jake Romaniuk (Any) | Video Game Music Composition / Video Editing |
| Kyle Unciano (He/Him) | Programming |
| Annalise Vasquez (She/They) | Environment Design |
Exchange
| Student | Exploration Focus |
|---|---|
| Max Balzer (He/Him) | 3D Modeling / Graphic Design / Level Design |
| Balkaran Brar (He/Him) | Level Design / Programming |
| Leon DeLeon (He/Him) | 3D Modelling |
| Aiden Desjarlais | Programming |
| Ben Dunbar (He/Him) | Level Design / Audio |
| Danya Matienzo (She/Her) | Digital Illustration / Character Concept Art |
| Evan Solleveld | Level Design |
| Keir Yurkiw (He/Him) | Programming |
Winter 2023
This Winter 2023 Cohort started February 2023 and was completed in June 2023.
The instructor for the program during this term was Marc Cacho.The Tech Hub class and interests sway content in one direction or another. A large focus was on 3D Asset Creation and Game Design this term.These students built foundations in 3D Asset Creation for Real-Time Development, Game Design, and a small look into some Programming Concepts.Each student chose an interest and pursued it further individually, with mentorship from the instructor available as they did so. Many students got regular check-ins with the instructor for mentorship to further develop their interests, no matter what they were.You can find a list of the students and their portfolios below:
MET
| Student | Exploration Focus |
|---|---|
| Patrick Kennedy (He/Him) | Programming |
| Marco Molina (He/Him) | 3D Modelling (Props) |
| Jamellah Concepcion (She/Her) | Animation / 3D Character Art / Rigging |
| Adrian Kozelko (He/Him) | Programming / Game Design |
| Jacek Kornaga (He/Him) | 3D Art |
| Arlo Mollot (She/Her) | Sculpting (Digital + Traditional) |
| Rashawn Acoby (He/Him) | Concept Art / Storytelling |
| Minh Nguyen (Any) | Programming |
| Avery Powell (He/Him) | 3D Modelling (Props + Environment) |
| Rex Wolfrom (They/Them) | Concept Art / Illustration |
| Orry Morrisseau (He/Him) | 3D Modelling (Props + Environment) |
| Dorian K Martens(He/Him) | 3D Modelling (Props) |
| Molly Rodgers (She/Her) | Illustration |
Exchange
| Student | Exploration Focus |
|---|---|
| Angel Gamis (He/Him) | Programming / Design |
| Kale Asperin (He/Him) | Programming / Game Design |
| Jesse James Coutu (He/Him) | Concept Art / Illustration / Storytelling |
| Emilia Pyter (She/Her) | Illustration / Concept Art |
| Tristin Silvester-Vreyborg (He/Him) | Programming |
| Lauren Francis Arreola (He/Him) | Programming |
Fall 2023
This Fall 2023 Cohort started September 2023 and was completed in January 2024.
The instructor for the program during this term was Marc Cacho.The Tech Hub class and interests differ from term to term. This term, there were many varying interests from 3D Modelling, Concept Art, Game Development, Music Composition, and even Video Creation.These students built foundations in 3D Asset Creation for Real-Time Development, Game Design, and a small look into some Programming Concepts.Each student chose an interest and pursued it further individually, with mentorship from the instructor available as they did so. Many students got regular check-ins with the instructor for mentorship to further develop their interests, no matter what they were.You can find a list of the students and their portfolios below:
| Student | Exploration Focus |
|---|---|
| Edwin Andaya (He/Him) | Game Development |
| [Andrew Spence (He/Him)] | Video Production |
| [Ace Pacheco (Any)] | 3D Character Modelling |
| Adrian Kozelko (He/Him) | Game Development / Programming / Game Design |
| Matthew Millar (He/Him) | Game Development |
| Jacek Jornaga (He/Him) | Game Development / 2D Animation |
| Aiden Trudeau (He/Him) | Game Design |
| Will Brandt (He/Him) | 3D Character Modelling |
| Orry Morrisseau (He/Him) | Game Development |
| Kade Martell (He/Him) | Game Development / Programming |
| Korbin Dumas (He/Him) | Animation |
| Tiege Patrick (He/Him) | 3D Modelling |
| Kier Canlas (He/Him) | Music Composition |
| Aby Boo (She/Her) | Concept Art / 3D Character Modelling |
Instructor(s)
Current
Marc Cacho (They/Them) // FALL 2022 - Present
(Game Design Instructor)
Marc has a vast array of experiences and skills that he brings to New Media Manitoba as the Game Design Instructor.A recent graduate from the Toronto Film School in Game Design & Animation; they possess skills in Production, Game Design, Asset Creation for Real-Time Development and Programming.
Marc especially enjoys sharing that knowledge and excitement with everyone interested.Marc also helps organize community events and workshops in both Pixel Pals and the Winnipeg Digital Art Group. Participating and helping grow the local Game Development community is something Marc enjoys doing as he continues to develop his own skills in the fast changing industry that is Game Development.
Past
Tamara Abas (She/They) // FALL 2022
Authorized Unreal Instructor
(Unreal Engine Instructor)
Tamara Abas is an Unreal Engine Authorized Instructor who is passionate about mentoring and growing the industry within her community. She has experience working on a variety of virtual production projects, developing tools and workflows. Tamara is always growing her skill set and adapting to the ever-evolving industry.
Contacts
Monica Gadsby (She/Her)
BEd in Business & Technology / BA in Geography & Sociology
(Tech Hub Coordinator)
Meet Monica Gadsby, the Tech Hub Coordinator for Seven Oaks School Division. Monica brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously worked as a Business/Technology teacher and Social Justice advisor at West Kildonan Collegiate. In addition, she has served as the chair of the awards night committee for 7 years and has been actively involved in school planning and social justice events such as Wakeathon, 30 Hour Famine, and West K talent shows.Monica is a passionate advocate for social justice and students from marginalized communities, particularly those in the BIPOC community. She has planned and facilitated workshops on privilege, Introduction to Islam Day, Black history month, girls in gaming events, and Teacher-Led Learning Team.
Monica is a proud Indo-Canadian, having graduated from the University of Winnipeg, Red River College, with a degree in Business/Technology BED, and a BA in Geography and Sociology. Monica's recent accomplishment in completing her post-baccalaureate program in guidance counselling at the University of Winnipeg has enhanced her understanding of mental health and her ability to integrate it into her everyday work in the Tech Hub program.
Please get in touch with your school principal to register.