CityStudio: the power of partnership that drives innnovation

Collaboration and innovation are more than just buzzwords words for CityStudio Durham. CityStudio Durham helps connect post-secondary students and institutions with local government to turn great ideas into action.

What is CityStudio Durham?

Sometimes, good ideas get stuck. They become side-of-the-desk projects that don’t move forward without a bit of extra help. At the same time, students and faculty are eager to use their skills and creativity to solve real-world challenges in the community.

That’s where CityStudio Durham comes in. Sandra Austin, Commissioner of Community Growth and Economic Development at the Region shares, “CityStudio Durham bridges this gap by connecting academic expertise with municipal needs to build innovation capacity. It is a key platform for collaboration.”

One of these successful collaborations provided families and educators tools to help kids learn and grow.

Ready to learn

The Region's Child Care and Early Years Division recently partnered with students from Ontario Tech University to improve developmental outcomes for children in Durham Region. Eighty-two students worked with the Region to create 19 creative resources to support families and educators.

These tools ensure every child, especially those who need extra support, gets a strong start in school and life. When we understand how ready kids are for school, we can support them earlier and more effectively.

“Researching where the gaps may be in the classroom and then having the opportunity to create something to fill that gap was incredibly rewarding,” one student describes. “It not only allowed us to address real challenges but also gave us the chance to build something that was practical and relevant.”

Putting ideas into action

Prototyping helps turn ideas into something we can test. It’s a quick, low-cost way to see what works and what doesn’t.

“We test early with the people who will use the solution,” explains Emma McGarry Ware, Manager, Innovation at the Region. “Their feedback helps us improve, fast. This way, we build solutions that are inclusive and meet real needs.”

For this project, students helped design kits with easy activities and materials for educators. These kits can be used in early learning programs to support children's growth in all areas measured by the Early Development Instrument (EDI). These areas include physical health, social skills, emotional well-being, language and communication.

“The project leverages students’ creativity and knowledge to design prototype resource kits,” shares Natalie Mercier, Data Analysis Coordinator with the Child Care and Early Years Division. “The kits contain practical materials and activities that could be easily accessed by educators and integrated into early learning programs to strengthen them and support children’s holistic development across all EDI domains in Durham Region.”

This matters because when kids get help early in these areas, they’re more likely to do well in school and in life.

Working together to make a real impact

The team continues to work on ways to integrate these kits into early learning and childcare communities, and have provided resources, including at early learning events like the Early Childhood Education Conference.

CityStudio Durham shows what’s possible when we work together. Alyx Riddell, Research and Program Coordinator, Innovation at the Region elaborates, “Partnerships between the Region and our post-secondary institutions are connecting local challenges with academic talent and research expertise.”

Through this project, the Region gained fresh ideas and capacity for innovation while students from Ontario Tech gained hands-on experience and career-building skills. Together, they’ve turned ideas into action that support families, educators and the future of our region.

This kind of partnership helps ensure that every child in Durham has the tools they need to succeed, and that our communities grow stronger because of it.