March 2024: News and Inspiration from New Brunswick
Be inspired by “Inspiration Makers!” and highlights & programming for New Brunswick in March!
Inspiration Makers!
This year Brilliant Labs is looking for teachers and students who inspire others to be their best and who are taking chances to innovate education through hands-on STEAM learning. We are pleased to share with you the positive impact of the Clair2024 conference that inspires all its participants — educators, volunteers and students — every year in this small rural school in northwestern New Brunswick!
Clair 2024: See Education differently! in NB
The Centre d’apprentissage du Haut-Madawaska (CAHM) recently presented the 14th edition of the Symposium de Clair. Nearly 350 participants turned out from Thursday, February 1, 2024, to see first-hand the best practices in learning and to “See education differently!”.
To celebrate the event, Jeff Willson, Executive Director of Brilliant Labs, had the privilege of giving the opening keynote speech. His words were much appreciated as he discussed how AI and technology can address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, like climate change, healthcare disparities, and poverty. Emphasizing the importance of innovation in driving positive change, he presented the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), outlined Brilliant Labs’ vision, and encouraged everyone to be agents of change.
Moreover, a Brilliant Labs team was on hand to help students prepare for the symposium. In this way, it’s possible to try out new ways of doing things, experiment and discover the potential of many new projects.
As the Director of CAHM from 2000 to 2018, Roberto Gauvin was fortunate to witness this international and unifying event firsthand. Many individuals testified that the meetings in Clair had profoundly changed their views on learning, pedagogical innovation, and the use of new technologies. For many, this symposium had encouraged them to reconsider their teaching approach.
Ms. Jamie Corriveau, a volunteer at CAHM for several years, explains:
It’s very satisfying for me to see young people actively engaged in their learning. This seems particularly evident to me when students create projects for the Clair symposium every year. […] The pride of accomplishment is visible everywhere with the students, teachers, families, and the community as a whole. Every year, I eagerly anticipate this event because I know these experiences will last a lifetime.
You can read the full article in French written by Roberto Gauvin for the Clair2024 symposium and to celebrate the 10 years of Labos Créatifs by following this link: “Le Colloque de Clair et Labos Créatifs, une histoire qui dure déjà depuis 10 ans!”
First LEGO League competition, Rothsay Netherwood School, NB
In early February, Rothsay Netherwood School hosted the First LEGO League competition, welcoming teams from the Saint John Region. Brilliant Labs supported the event, with program specialist for the region, Niel Gray, participating as a judge.
The day was successful, fostering engagement and learning among students. We look forward to welcoming more participants next year. The competition concluded with the CCBW team from Rothesay Netherwood School winning first place. They will represent the region at the national competition, hosted virtually by Alberta in the spring. Teams from Barnhill, Origins Academy, and Riverview Middle School also competed, contributing to the event’s success.
Project Highlight
Notre-Dame School, Edmundston, NB
This month Marc-André, a Brillliant Labs Program Specialist, helped build an ecosystem with a grade 7 class at l’École Notre-Dame. Students created a diorama of different ecosystems and added special features such as real waterfalls, moving fish just to name a few.
Students explored the worlds by using several habitats for different animals from various levels of the food chain where some were predators and some were consumers. Each diorama had to also have some kind of innovative technology such as motors, lights or art techniques.
a dedicated Program Specialist, on our Labos Créatifs team. He helps so many students innovate and learn through fun projects! Thank you for your work with the youth, and congratulations to École Notre-Dame students or achieving this cool project!
Special thank you to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for supporting NB teachers & students through Brilliant Labs hands-on STEAM learning activities/experiences.
Want to nominate a teacher or student working with Brilliant Labs in New Brunswick? Send your nomination to us!
