Two familiar faces from Ennismore are heading back to school, but this time, they’re trading textbooks for tools, outdoor adventures and a little trial and error.
Fleming College has partnered with local creatives and twin sisters Mary and Melissa Payne for a new video series called Learning Local with the Paynes, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the college’s hands-on learning experiences.
The series follows the sisters as they visit Fleming’s campuses in Peterborough, Lindsay and Haliburton, stepping into the shoes of students and trying out the practical skills taught in several programs.
Rather than taking viewers on a traditional campus tour, the Paynes get directly involved in the learning process, bringing their personalities, humour and curiosity to each experience.
At Fleming’s Sutherland Campus in Peterborough, the twins explore carpentry and renovation, plumbing and electrical engineering.
Their adventures continue at Frost Campus in Lindsay, where they experience fisheries fieldwork, trapping and marsh mapping through the Fish and Wildlife Technician program.
At the Haliburton School of Art + Design, the sisters put their creative abilities to work by trying their hand at mitten making.
The experiences gave the twins a new appreciation for the skills students develop and the work involved in preparing for their careers.
“We got to try things we’d never done before, and some were definitely easier than others,” Mary and Melissa said.
“It was a lot of fun, but we also came away with a new appreciation for the skills students are learning at Fleming and the opportunities available right here in our community.”
Beyond the practical experiences, the sisters say one of the biggest highlights was meeting the instructors responsible for helping students develop their skills.
“What stood out the most for us was the faculty and how much heart they put into teaching these students and guiding them in their careers,” the twins said.
“The students can feel that, and so could we.”
Fleming says the collaboration is designed to showcase the variety of educational opportunities available locally while highlighting the connection between the college and the communities it serves.
Through the series, viewers get an entertaining look at the challenges, skills and experiences that make up student life across Fleming’s three campuses.
