This course meets the CSA standards for Basic First Aid. Emergency First Aid Level C is for individuals requiring basic information on First Aid and CPR for their workplace, school, or personal interests.

*Please take note of the early start and extended finish time necessary to complete this certification

Field Trip Planning for Earth Sciences                   All Grades      (25 Maximum)

This is a full-day hands-on, inquiry-based workshop to learn about planning a field trip with a focus of learning rock names. It includes pre- and post-field trip classroom activities and field trip to Lawrencetown Beach. You will receive your own Field Trip Planning guide books, a Pebble Guide Kit and use of a Field Sampling Kit.

Transportation is provided to Lawrencetown Beach.

Project Wet                All Grades       (20 Maximum)

Join us for a fun, interactive, (full day) certification workshop and receive the 592-page, Pre-K - Gr. 12, Project WET Educators’ Guide. This workshop will actively engage you in simple, ready- to-use, multi-level learning activities. It is designed for use by educators to supplement the existing provincial curricula in science, environmental and outdoor education, social studies, language arts, math, health and wellness and career education. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor learning environments. Bilingual French/English science teachers will also qualify for the Project WET, Module 1 French EducatorsGuide. Project Wet workshops are sponsored by the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA), Nova Scotia Department of the Environment and the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS). Additional on-line resources, many free to download, will be overviewed. Sue Penney a qualified facilitator will deliver the certification and Jim Abraham from CMOS will introduce a citizen science project on climate change.

Pre-registration is required.

Sue Penney and Jim Abraham Project Wet- Workshop Facilitators

1209    Electric Vehicles - A Deep Dive       Grades 10-12 (20 Maximum)

We will cover: What exactly an EV is, the differences between EVs and gas driven vehicles, their impacts on wallets and the environment in Atlantic Canada, grid concerns and lastly a discussion on future job opportunities for youths.

Brendan Piper, Clean Foundation, EV Engagement Specialist

Hands-On Science                Grades 7-9     (20 Maximum)

We will be doing a few fun STEM activities that have been proven to work in the classroom/science club setting. Will also show off a few demos that wow the children and sometimes agitate the teacher next door!

Rob Davies and Glen Earley AVRCE Teachers

Student Leadership PD       All Grades       (30 Maximum)

Join us for a Full day of PD for Student Council or Student Government advisors. You will experience workshops that will generate ideas and teach new icebreakers for your school and/or classroom. You will also be introduced to the Leadership Advisor Certification Program and learn more about the Student Leadership Association of Nova Scotia.

Student Leadership Association of Nova Scotia (SLANS)

Environmental Education Day at Shubenacadie Wildlife Park     All Grades (60 Maximum)

*Please take note that this off-site session will be taking place at Shubenacadie Wildlife Park.

The Nova Scotia Environmental Network is back again this year hosting its Environmental Education Conference as part of the AST- Association of Science Teachers and Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union PD Day on October 27, 2023 at the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park. This day is for teachers to gain a better understanding of the different environmental organizations and resources that are available to them across Nova Scotia, allowing them to foster environmentally focused education that links with curriculum for all grades. Presenters include Green Schools NS, Shubenacadie Wildlife Park, Nature NS, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and many more.

The Environmental Education Conference will be hosted at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park which is within the district of Sipekne’katik of Mi’kma’ki, and the watershed of the Shubenacadie River. Observing Mi’kmaq History Month and in support of the Calls to Action for Truth and Reconciliation, we invite participating teachers to decolonize their worldviews and teaching approaches by joining in on our welcome activity; identifying their home district, treaties relevant to their area, the watershed their school falls within, and what resources for integrating indigenous knowledge and teaching methods exist near them. This activity will take place in the morning before our presentations.

We all know teachers are very busy and it is of utmost importance for us to ensure that we provide resources and offer presentations that not only link with curriculum outcomes, but also offer a change in routine for the class while learning about important topics such as climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, netukulimk, energy efficiency, forest conservation, species at risk, and so much more. Several organizations will provide educational programming and activities that are available to a wide grade range, stemming from Pre Primary to Grade 12.

Exploring Inquiry & Climate Education with Discovery Centre Grades 7-10 (30 Maximum)

Yoga   All Grades                  (25 Maximum)

Yoga, Breathwork & Meditation

Laura Gibson, Self Employed- Yoga Instructor

Stress Better for Balanced Living                  All Grades               (30 Maximum)

This session is to support the classroom teacher health + wellness Participants will learn about applied neuroscience skills, techniques, and tools to manage their time and energy in a balanced way. Learn how to recognize your unique response to stress, identify your pressure points, and create a personalized self-care plan to beat burnout.

Courtnay Malcolm, Mindset + Mental Health Coach, Self-Employed at Courtnay Malcolm Coaching

Teacher wellness through Aromatherapy                          All Grades

Have you ever wanted to know more about aromatherapy and how it could help with everyday issues that impact educators? This session will look at some of those. Have you been feeling Stressed or Sick? We will talk about it!

Sunita Pinet, HRCE Teacher

Stemming The Tide Of Disinformation And Pseudoscience            Grades 7-12 (30 Maximum)

This introductory workshop will provide educators with tools to identify and address disinformation and to promote critical thinking and counter science denial and pseudoscience, using examples predominantly from healthcare. The framework we will use builds on resources developed for the World Health Organization to address the urgent problem of vaccine hesitancy; we generalize this approach to other contexts. We will combine a didactic presentation with video examples of disinformation and pseudoscientific claims so as to engage participants in using evidence-based strategies.

Isabel Smith, Professor, Dalhousie University

 Biodiversity and Conservation                                Grades 4-12               (30 Maximum)

General introduction (background info/current updates) to Biodiversity, hotspots, threats and effective conservation measures with hands-on activities

Rajesh Rajaselvam, Dalhousie University, Professor/University Teaching Fellow 

Digital Rubrics with Google Forms and Autocrat                                     All Grades (30 Maximum)

Tired of the traditional paper rubric assessing? Save time and increase productivity by creating a digital rubric in Google Forms and provide your feedback through a generated Google Doc or PDF that can be instantly shared and emailed to students! Come learn the step-by-step process for setting up your digital rubrics which will allow you to better meet the challenges of providing timely feedback and set you free from stacks of paper. For this session, it is strongly recommended that you have a foundational knowledge of creating a google doc and a google form; teachers are encouraged to bring chromebooks with them.

Acadia Robotics Programming and Competitions            Grades 4-12 (30 Maximum)

Come learn about the Acadia Robotics program and learn basic programming with LEGO EV3 robots. Acadia Robotics provides opportunities for students to expand their computer science knowledge by competing in annual competitions and related activities that feature real-world problem solving and teamwork.

Jenna Watson-Findley, Acadia Robotics - Robotics Coordinator

Design Thinking in Science and Engineering                    Grades 4-12                                                                                            (30 Maximum)

Design Thinking revolves around finding and resolving real world, ill defined problems. It is a set of techniques that utilize divergent, convergent and lateral thinking on behalf of the student. We will explore the Design Thinking process in a hands-on activity so get ready to put your thinking caps on and roll up your sleeves!

Opening the Door: Explore how Science is Happening Around Us       All Grades (30 Maximum)

While most students feel that science is important to society, few see themselves in a science-related career. Such attitudes are developed early in life and have long term implications for both students’ work and personal lives. In this session, we will explore strategies to help students recognize the importance of science in their lives and to help them develop more positive attitudes about the role of science in their lives.

Winnie Hsu, Let's Talk Science | Parlons sciences

PASCO Science 10                Grades 10-12             (30 Maximum)

Presentation and support session for the PASCO wireless motion, soil moisture and weather sensors that were recently added to Science 10 labs.

Rhonda MacDonald, AYVA Educational Solutions - Marketing Director

Green Schools- Green Careers Presentation                    All Grades      (30 Maximum)

There is a new focus on students considering trades as a viable career option and the Green Schools team encourages youth to match their interests to a potential career option. We talk about how any career can be linked to a Green career and this includes a fun activity about figuring out how each of these careers can work together.

Ruvi Mugara, Thinkwell Shift- Director of Projects

IB Physics Round Table                  Grades 10-12             (30 Maximum)

This session will be a discussion about the new IB Physics curriculum and its implementation. Participants can share their experiences from various past IB training sessions. Those currently teaching the new curriculum will be encouraged to share their plans and how it has gone so far. There will be discussions about ordering, assessment practices, and resources used.

Matthew Hirtle and Craig Evely

Educational Technology to Support Student Learning  All Grades                                                                                                                       (30 Maximum)

In this session we will explore impactful education technology to support student learning in science. Whether you teach in lower elementary, grade 12 physics or anything in between, this session will demonstrate a wide variety of tools available to you. From assessment, to simulations to the latest trends in technology, this session will have it all!

Mario Eleftheros, Technology Integration Specialist- HRCE

"I'll take Predictions for 500, Alex!"                        Grades 4-12               (30 Maximum)

Predict -Observe-Explain - P-O-E, is a technique that can be used to support learning about topics/areas where students are likely to have strong intuitions which do not match scientific accounts of the world.

Bill Reid, Acadia U. School of Education - Instructor of Secondary Science Methodologies

Digital Resources fo Grades 2-6                             (30 Maximum)

Wondering what digital resources you can access with your students in the classroom? In this session we will discuss the various resources available across the province for use to increase engagement and achievement in Grades 2-6. A brief overview of the resources along with ways you can incorporate them into the curriculum will be shared, along with take home access to further information. Resources such as WeVideo, CoSpaces, and Book Creator will be examined, plus others. Please note that while most resources are approved in all regions, there may be some resources examined that may not be approved for use in your region. Don't worry, many of the resources are approved across the province so everyone will learn something new!

Meaghan Boudreau, HRCE, Technology Integration Lead

The Alien Ecosystems project is a multi-day project designed to wrap around the entire Science 10 Sustainability of Ecosystems unit. It provides an engaging way for students to show their understanding of the concepts taught during the unit while also allowing students to approach the project at their own level and be creative in science class.

In this session I will share how I use the project in my science 10 classroom, give you a chance to try some of the activities, show you examples, and provide you with hard copies and electronic copies of the project booklet and all supplementary materials you need to run this project in your own classroom.

Noor    Al-Shanti, HRCE - Science Teacher

Yoga   All Grades                                                          (30 Maximum) 

Yoga, Breathwork & Meditation 

Laura Gibson, Self Employed- Yoga Instructor

Stress Better for Balanced Living                  All Grades               (30 Maximum)

This session is to support the classroom teacher health + wellness Participants will learn about applied neuroscience skills, techniques, and tools to manage their time and energy in a balanced way. Learn how to recognize your unique response to stress, identify your pressure points, and create a personalized self-care plan to beat burnout.

Courtnay Malcolm, Mindset + Mental Health Coach, Self-Employed at Courtnay Malcolm Coaching

Teacher wellness through Aromatherapy                          All Grades                                                                                    (30 Maximum)

Have you ever wanted to know more about aromatherapy and how it could help with everyday issues that impact educators? This session will look at some of those. Have you been feeling Stressed or Sick? We will talk about it!

Sunita Pinet HRCE Teacher

Biodiversity and Conservation                                Grades 4-12               (30 Maximum)

General introduction (background info/current updates) to Biodiversity, hotspots, threats and effective conservation measures with hands-on activities

Rajesh Rajaselvam, Dalhousie University, Professor/University Teaching Fellow

Digital Rubrics with Google Forms and Autocrat                                     All Grades (30 Maximum)

Tired of the traditional paper rubric assessing? Save time and increase productivity by creating a digital rubric in Google Forms and provide your feedback through a generated Google Doc or PDF that can be instantly shared and emailed to students! Come learn the step-by-step process for setting up your digital rubrics which will allow you to better meet the challenges of providing timely feedback and set you free from stacks of paper. For this session, it is strongly recommended that you have a foundational knowledge of creating a google doc and a google form; teachers are encouraged to bring chromebooks with them.

Leslie Stewart HRCE/Teacher

Sorting it Out: Waste Reduction, Recycling, Composting & Litter   All Grades (30 Maximum)

Help your students become the recycling leaders through this fun and informative session! Join HRM’s Waste Resource Education Officers for sample activities from the curriculum-aligned lesson plans created by Divert NS. These interactive lessons will help you bring "the 3 R's" into your classroom with activity sheets and step-by-step instructions.

You will also learn about free educational services, which include classroom and assembly presentations, as well as composting education for school gardens and litter clean-up opportunities. This session will also answer common questions around proper waste-sorting at school, offer signage and resource materials, and provide opportunities to challenge students to be environmental champions in their school.

Acadia Robotics Programming and Competitions             Grades 4-12 (30 Maximum)

Come learn about the Acadia Robotics program and learn basic programming with LEGO EV3 robots. Acadia Robotics provides opportunities for students to expand their computer science knowledge by competing in annual competitions and related activities that feature real-world problem solving and teamwork.

Jenna Watson-Findley, Acadia Robotics - Robotics Coordinator

Get Ready for the April 2024 Solar Eclipse!                      All Grades      (30 Maximum)

On April 8, 2024, Nova Scotia will experience a very deep solar eclipse as the Moon will cover over 90% of the Sun. This eclipse represents a wonderful opportunity for all students to live a unique experience and learn in a meaningful context. Join Discover the Universe and the Discovery Centre in this workshop, and you will get all the information you need to safely observe the eclipse with your students (explanations, resources, activities, etc.). In addition, all participants will receive 50 certified eclipse glasses.

Julie Bolduc-Duval, Discover the Universe, Director

Igniting the Orbitron - Breakout Box                      Grade 12        (30 Maximum)

Breakout activities are tabletop escape rooms where students solve a series of challenges in the context of an exciting scenario—a mystery to solve or a mission to complete. In this session, we will explore Perimeter Institute's breakout activity that revolves around particle physics. This session will be most applicable to Physics 12.

Shane MacLeod, Dartmouth High School - Physics Teacher

Figuring Figuring Out Outer Space (Découvrir l’espace lointain)                                                                                                              Grades 7-9 (30 Maximum)

It is often difficult to find resources that create STEM based subjects and are available in french! In this session, we will explore the life cycle of the stars and their ultimate fate with Perimeter Institute’s french resources. No translation required. The session will be conducted in French and is geared towards grade 9 science in both the immersion and the francophone program.

Renée Dawson, L'École Secondaire du Sommet - Science 9, Chemistry and Physics teacher

Science for Everyone: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Your Classroom Grades 7-12     (30 Maximum)

The Chairs for Inclusion in Science and Engineering program launched by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in 2023 brings together three leaders to change the face of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the Atlantic region: Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie (Cape Breton University), Dr. Kevin Hewitt (Dalhousie University) and Dr. Svetlana Barkanova (Memorial University of Newfoundland). The team aims to provide a broad range of opportunities and experiences in STEM to several underrepresented groups, including women and gender minorities, Indigenous Peoples, and racialized students. We will discuss the STEM programs available for teachers and students in Grades 7-12 and brainstorm ideas for the future.

Svetlana Barkanova, Physics Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus

Asteroids: Threat or Opportunity?                         Grades 7-12               (30 Maximum)

An asteroid impact can destroy life on our planet as we know it. At the same time, asteroids can provide us with unique opportunities for research and mining. Join us to explore different types of asteroids, their orbits, their origin, impact statistics, and asteroid-related research missions.

Aleksandrs Aleksejevs, Physics professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus

Plickers, Podcasts, and PASCO Sensors                          Grades 7-12        (30 Maximum)

"Over the past few years, I have been re-inventing my pedagogy by developing engaging activities to enhance learning. As such, this general workshop is intended to help support new and experienced Science educators with some of the tools I have picked up over the years. In this workshop, I will showcase several tools including ‘Plickers’, ‘Crayon Physics’, developing podcasts and video journals for learning and, showing educators some tools using PASCO sensors.

Traditional Knowledge - A Different Way Of Thinking                Grades 7-12                                                                                                        (30 Maximum)

"Accusing someone of thinking differently in the past has led to imprisonment, prosecution and conflicts. The different ways of thinking in a good sense are all striving for the same thing - A better understanding of the world around us. We have developed different tools and language to express and practice our professions. This has made it hard for the different professions to talk to each other – doctors to lawyers, and carpenters to electricians. In this present time, social media and mass communication or internet has given people more access to all information – good and bad. We are now seeing how important communication is becoming but old problems still exist. Indigenous peoples and their ways of knowing are still with us today and may help us understand our own professions and knowledge systems. Indigenous Peoples say The Creator loves diversity that is why there is so many different things on the earth. Our purpose on the earth is to be responsible and protection all forms of diversity to the best of our knowledge and abilities. Let’s discuss our responsibilities. I trust I am among friends. Skennen"

Dr Henry Lickers, International Joint Commission on the Status of Great Lakes in Canada and the United States - Commissioner

Agriculture in your Classroom - Live from the Farm                                All Grades                                                                                                 (30 Maximum)

Learn about the classroom resources that Agriculture in the Classroom Nova Scotia can offer! Our resources support: Curriculum outcomes, Competency development, Align with Inclusive Education Policy, Inquiry-based learning experiences, Including a farm component. Each stop on our tour is connected to one of our newer resources all available in English and French, all free of charge.

Dawn Barrington-Hodgson, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture - Provincial Agricultural Programming Coordinator

Design Thinking in Science and Engineering                    Grades 4-12        (30 Maximum)

Design Thinking revolves around finding and resolving real world, ill defined problems. It is a set of techniques that utilize divergent, convergent and lateral thinking on behalf of the student. We will explore the Design Thinking process in a hands-on activity so get ready to put your thinking caps on and roll up your sleeves!

Byron Butt, South Shore Regional Centre for Education - Instructional Coach, Technology

PASCO Science 10                            Grades 10-12             (30 Maximum)

Presentation and support session for the PASCO wireless motion, soil moisture and weather sensors that were recently added to Science 10 labs.

Rhonda MacDonald, AYVA Educational Solutions - Marketing Director

Leveling Up Your Google Game!                 All Grades                  (30 Maximum)

Are you ready to move your Google Workspace knowledge to a higher level? Would you like to learn more on how you can use Google Slides beyond a presentation tool? How about Jamboard for more than just a collaboration board? Google Forms for more than just collecting data? If so, then this session is for you!

Mario Eleftheros, Technology Integration Leader-HRCE

"I'll take Predictions for 500, Alex!" Grades 4-12                         (30 Maximum)

Predict -Observe-Explain - P-O-E, is a technique that can be used to support learning about topics/areas where students are likely to have strong intuitions which do not match scientific accounts of the world.

Bill Reid, Acadia U. School of Education - Instructor of Secondary Science Methodologies

Introduction to Google Sites                       Grades 4-12               (30 Maximum)

What’s in a website, anyway? In this session we’ll explore ways to use Google sites both from a professional standpoint (for your own personal information) as well as how to leverage website creation in the classroom for a variety of curriculum related ideas. We’ll explore how to create a simple Google Site, and explore ideas to connect to the curriculum. A focus will be on using Sites in grades 4-6 but content could be relevant for 4-12.

Meaghan Boudreau, HRCE, Technology Integration Lead

Alien Ecosystems - An Ecosystem Unit Project to Engage Science 10 Students (30 Maximum) 

The Alien Ecosystems project is a multi-day project designed to wrap around the entire Science 10 Sustainability of Ecosystems unit. It provides an engaging way for students to show their understanding of the concepts taught during the unit while also allowing students to approach the project at their own level and be creative in science class.

In this session I will share how I use the project in my science 10 classroom, give you a chance to try some of the activities, show you examples, and provide you with hard copies and electronic copies of the project booklet and all supplementary materials you need to run this project in your own classroom.

Noor Al-Shanti, HRCE - Science Teacher

Yoga   All Grades                              (30 Maximum)

Yoga, Breathwork & Meditation

Laura Gibson, Self Employed- Yoga Instructor

Stress Better for Balanced Living                  All Grades               (30 Maximum)

This session is to support the classroom teacher health + wellness Participants will learn about applied neuroscience skills, techniques, and tools to manage their time and energy in a balanced way. Learn how to recognize your unique response to stress, identify your pressure points, and create a personalized self-care plan to beat burnout.

Courtnay Malcolm, Mindset + Mental Health Coach, Self-Employed at Courtnay Malcolm Coaching

Digital Rubrics with Google Forms and Autocrat                         All Grades                                                                                                (30 Maximum)

Tired of the traditional paper rubric assessing? Save time and increase productivity by creating a digital rubric in Google Forms and provide your feedback through a generated Google Doc or PDF that can be instantly shared and emailed to students! Come learn the step-by-step process for setting up your digital rubrics which will allow you to better meet the challenges of providing timely feedback and set you free from stacks of paper. For this session, it is strongly recommended that you have a foundational knowledge of creating a google doc and a google form; teachers are encouraged to bring chromebooks with them.

Leslie Stewart, HRCE/Teacher

Acadia Robotics Programming and Competitions             Grades 4-12 (30 Maximum)

Come learn about the Acadia Robotics program and learn basic programming with LEGO EV3 robots. Acadia Robotics provides opportunities for students to expand their computer science knowledge by competing in annual competitions and related activities that feature real-world problem solving and teamwork.

Jenna Watson-Findley, Acadia Robotics - Robotics Coordinator

Get Ready for the April 2024 Solar Eclipse!                        All Grades (30 Maximum) 

On April 8, 2024, Nova Scotia will experience a very deep solar eclipse as the Moon will cover over 90% of the Sun. This eclipse represents a wonderful opportunity for all students to live a unique experience and learn in a meaningful context. Join Discover the Universe and the Discovery Centre in this workshop, and you will get all the information you need to safely observe the eclipse with your students (explanations, resources, activities, etc.). In addition, all participants will receive 50 certified eclipse glasses.

Exploring Exoplanets - Breakout Box                    Grades 9-12               (30 Maximum)

Breakout activities are tabletop escape rooms where students solve a series of challenges in the context of an exciting scenario—a mystery to solve or a mission to complete. In this session, we will explore Perimeter Institute's new breakout activity that revolves around exoplanets. This session will be most applicable to the space unit in Science 9 and possibly Astronomy 12.

Shane MacLeod, Dartmouth High School - Physics Teacher

Using Memory Strategies to Encode, Store, and Retrieve                       All Grades          (30 Maximum)

Participants in this workshop will learn about various memory strategies to help their students learn and master new content. Examples of various memory strategies will be explored, and participants will have an opportunity to create and share a lesson using a strategy based on a current curriculum.

Allan Turner, Retired teacher/ administrator Faculty Advisor for St. Francis Xavier University