VSBSC 2024: SPARK

As AI looms over us, this year’s conference seeks to demystify and explore a field that has proliferated in the past decade: technology. Advances in technology like light bulbs, phones, and ChatGPT have evidently affected society. Among this technology, certain innovations have been instrumental in making progress towards sustainability.

SPARK, the Vancouver School Board Sustainability Connection’s 12th annual conference, aims to highlight various technologies in our communities that help address the climate crisis. Through workshops and activities, the VSBSC hopes to spark sustainability in technology, natural or artificial, that can be utilized in our everyday lives.

Each attendee will have the choice to attend one of three workshops circuits, each comprised of three workshops throughout the day. Please read the descriptions below and select your first and second choice on the registration form accordingly.

--Social Print Paper--
Did you know that today in North America 3 million trees are still cut down each day to make paper. That’s more than 1.1 billion trees a year to make paper!
Social Print Paper ltd. is a proud Canadian company committed to advancing the use of agriculture fibre paper to help minimize global green house gas emissions and deforestation. Sugar Sheet Copy Paper is made using the residue waste of sugar cane fibre after the sugar cane stock has been harvested for sugar, juices, alcohol and bio-fuels. The remaining waste fibre called bagasse is diverted from global landfills and instead used to make Sugar Sheet Paper.
Sugar Sheet Copy Paper is used by many departments of Canadian Gov’t, Education sector organizations such as BCIT, UBC and by many small to large size businesses across Canada. In collaboration with our clients and supply chain partners, we have helped to reduce the release of millions of kgs of green house each year and saved millions of trees. Our mission is to create world that never uses trees to make paper. Please suggest that students review our website www.socialprint.com Our website contains a ton of great information on Sugar Sheet Paper including comparative environmental savings numbers to traditional wood fibre paper.

--Phylo Project--

The Phylo Trading Card Game: How your school can make their own biodiversity deck!

Join Dr. David Ng from UBC's Michael Smith Laboratories as he describes the Phylo Project (https://phylogame.org): an open source biodiversity trading card game that schools and museums have used for educational and fundraising purposes. This includes a brief overview on how your school can create their own custom deck (and if you have a device or laptop on hand, you can even make a card or two), as well as a chance to play the game.

--3rd Workshop TBA--

--1st Workshop TBA--

--Ocean Week + Water Rangers--

Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition and
Water Rangers as we navigate into the intricate connections between ourselves, the
ocean, and freshwater resources. This interactive exploration invites students to
uncover the interplay of water systems, human activities, and the global climate.
Guided by the captivating 'Ocean, Freshwater and Us' giant floor map, students will
embark on an immersive adventure of discovery. Through hands-on water testing,
engaging discussions, and interactive wayfinding experiences, they will deepen their
understanding of water's vital role in sustaining life.
This workshop isn't just about learning—it's about empowerment. Students will discover
how actions in one part of the country can ripple across watersheds, emphasizing the
importance of collective efforts in water protection and responsible management.
Join us on this journey of exploration and empowerment, where every step brings us
closer to understanding, appreciating, and safeguarding our precious water resources
for generations.
The Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition (COLC) is a nationally and internationally
recognized catalyst and centre for ocean literacy collaboration, research, and
innovation.Our work focuses on education and engagement, research and impact,
leadership and advocacy.

--Climate Hero--

Initiated by the GenAction campaign and a product of the partnership between the Pacific Museum of Earth, Steamlabs, and Ecoschools Canada, Climate Hero is an online Escape Room that combines AI technology and climate education. The game was designed to foster critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills essential for promoting climate resilience and sustainability at both individual and societal levels. Attendees will hear about Climate Hero’s development, and its learning goals and see the game in action, working as a group to make decisions! Additionally, in this session attendees will learn about the latest outreach and programming initiatives at the Pacific Museum of Earth, UBC’s Earth Science museum. Together, we’ll unleash our creativity and brainstorm what a museum program focused on climate action could look like. If you’re interested in the intersections between game design, museum education, and climate action, this is the workshop for you!

--TOP Carbon Capture--

[description to be added]

--UBC Waste Nauts--

UBC WasteNauts is a solution-driven interdisciplinary design team that encompasses sustainability in engineering design and principles of a circular economy. Abiding by the 3 pillars of sustainability, our goal is to radically minimize waste and apply knowledge from all fields to transform waste into a valuable resource. Join our waste reduction workshop where we will dive into how our projects are using waste as a resource and what is possible just through creativity. These ideas will lead us into our main activity which involves building a boat using materials derived directly from our projects! Some materials include leather made of kombucha, recycled plastics and cork from wine bottles. We’ll walk groups through a sketching activity which utilizes engineering principles to plan out the designs. After some time to build your boats we will see, will it sink? Or swim.

--Shift Energy--

Join Shift for an enlightening workshop showcasing the power of solar energy with our complete off-grid solar trailer. Learn firsthand how solar panels, energy storage, and inverters work together to harness the sun's energy. Our community engagement trailer serves as a hands-on demonstration of sustainable living. During the workshop, I will discuss the basics of solar energy, covering its benefits, challenges, and the industry's promising growth and future. Gain insights into how solar energy can revolutionize our energy landscape and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and be part of the renewable energy revolution. Join us and discover the potential of solar power in shaping a brighter tomorrow.

A free, plant-based lunch will be provided to all attendees, catered by Chau Veggie Express. We ask everyone to bring their own container and utensils in efforts in minimize waste at our conference.

The NGO (non-governmental organization) fair will occur simultaneously with lunch, where everyone will be able to explore various environmental organizations from across the region. From Be the Change Earth Alliance to UBC Geering Up, attendees will have the chance to learn about a myriad of volunteer opportunities, environmental initiatives, and more.

After the 3rd workshop session, there will be an interactive activity where students brainstorm what they envision for the future of sustainable schools. Using previous experience in tandem with knowledge gained in the workshops, attendees will ideate everyday actions they can take today, ways their schools can be retrofitted, and ways their schools can be redesigned to optimize sustainability. This opportunity will enable student voice to be heard on the district level, as findings will be compiled and presented to a working group at the VSB in the coming months.

• Water bottle to stay hydrated
• A reuseable container/tupperware and utensils for lunch
• A phone or device (if possible)
• Your old electronics for the e-waste recycling drive

The Vancouver School Board Sustainability Connection (VSBSC) is a youth-led initiative that aims to create opportunities for students to learn and explore sustainability. Our goal is to facilitate meaningful discussions around climate justice and empower youth with the knowledge and skills to enact positive change. The VSBSC enacts several initiatives throughout the year, including our Cultivate mentorship program and our elementary school sustainability workshops. In addition, our team organizes an annual conference featuring guest speakers, community engagement workshops, and a sustainability-themed NGO fair which welcomes more than 200 students across Greater Vancouver to connect individuals for a day of education, growth, and inspiration.

Follow us on Instagram @vsbsc_ or visit our website at vsbsc.ca for more information.

Host or Publisher VSB Sustainability Conference Executive Team