A team of six faculty and staff at St. Clair County Community College has been awarded the 2010 TRENDS in Occupational Studies Outstanding Team Educator Award for the college's "Living Labs" concept.

The SC4 team worked with Siemens Industry Inc. Building Technologies on the "Living Labs" project. The team will accept the award at the TRENDS conference in October in Grand Rapids.

TRENDS is an annual conference organized by the Michigan Occupational Deans Administrative Council. Representatives from Michigan community colleges gather at the conference to network and discuss occupational studies best practices.

Denise McNeil, SC4 vice president of academic services, nominated the team, which was chosen as the winner among participating Michigan community colleges.

SC4's "Living Labs" allow students to access all areas of the SC4 campus as labs and instructional areas. Students get hands-on learning opportunities on the same equipment SC4 uses to power and operate its campus.

For example, students interpret gauges and dials in college maintenance areas to analyze SC4's solar hot water system. They also can use SC4's building monitoring systems to assess the energy consumption and programming of all of the campus buildings.

"Living Labs" allow students in the facility and energy management and alternative energy degree programs to learn on the same equipment they'll use throughout their careers.

The SC4 faculty and staff who collaborated on the project are:

• Tom Donovan of Port Huron, director of physical plant.
• Steven Fosgard of Port Huron Township, associate dean of instruction and University Center.
• Robert Hunckler of Fort Gratiot, professor of geography.
• Kirk Kramer of Fort Gratiot, vice president of administrative services.
• Matt Morabito of Port Huron, professor of electronics.
• Don Reuba of Casco Township, professor of industrial automation and chair of the Engineering Technology Department.