Fall 2025 Events registration are now OPEN! Geering Up offers limited-run programs and one-day events throughout the year. We host on- and off-campus events for students in Grades 5 and above. We take a hands-on and innovative approach to exploring STEAM fields in all our events. We’re also constantly updating our event lineup with new activities and world-relevant topics, so no two years are ever the same!
- Events Run from September 2025 – April 2026
See the Events list below for specific dates - Saturdays (some Friday events)
- Location Varies
See the Events list below for specific locations - Cost:
$10 registration fee – email events.geeringup@ubc.ca if you require a fee waiver
EVENT DESCRIPTIONS:
Decoding Climates: Public Health x Tech (NORTH VANCOUVER)
In partnership with Bodwell High School, we’re thrilled to host our first STEM event in the City of North Vancouver!
Nestled in one of the world’s rarest ecosystems — the Coastal Temperate Rainforest — North Vancouver is a living lab for understanding how climate and environment shape our health.
On November 22nd, join us to explore how technology, public health, and climate change connect in your own backyard. Through hands-on activities, we’ll ask: How can we track weather shifts in air or water? How do we communicate public health risks, like heatwaves or heavy rainfall? And how might engineers design for a changing climate?
From data to design, we’ll dive into the tools needed to decode our environment — and imagine what comes next.
GRADE LEVELS: 8-12
DATE: Saturday November 22nd, 2025
TIME: 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Engineering Design Competition (UBC VANCOUVER)
Mathematics and design collide in this year’s Engineering Design Challenge — but not in the way you might expect. Join us as we explore how the golden ratio has guided human structures for centuries!
In this challenge, participants will be tasked with designing and building a shelter — not just any shelter, but one grounded in both mathematical elegance and the human experience. Through hands-on exploration of geometry, structural planning, and the principles of human-centered design, students will prototype shelters for people with real-world needs.
Can you engineer a structure that balances form, function, and feeling? We’ll see you soon!
GRADE LEVELS: 7-12
DATE: Saturday November 29th, 2025
TIME: 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Cyber Safety x Digital Families (UBC VANCOUVER)
The internet is full of awesome — but also a few tricky traps! At Cyber Safety x Digital Families event, students in Grades 4–7 will explore how to stay safe online through fun activities and learn about encryption, while parents learn how to foster cyber safety in our ever-changing world.
Then, families reunite to test their skills together! From spotting fake websites to building strong passwords, and identifying our own digital footprints, we’ll explore smart habits for the whole family — and have a great time doing it!
NOTE: Please ensure to add a Parent/Guardian Session option during registration to confirm P/G attendance.
GRADE LEVELS: 4-7
DATE: Saturday December 6th, 2025
TIME: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Creative Coding: 21st Century Artists (UBC VANCOUVER)
Creating art and writing code might seem like two very different worlds—but creative coding has been inspiring artists since the 1960s. Pioneers like Vera Molnár and Frieder Nake used algorithms to make art, showing that programming can be a powerful tool to expand creative expression.
In our first event of the new year, we’ll explore a blank digital canvas together. Throughout the day, students will design a themed digital poster using basic JavaScript, and at the end, we’ll celebrate everyone’s creativity with a poster exhibition. This event is for both artists and coders. Come as you are, dive into creative coding, and leave with a spark to make even more art!
Please note: The event will not use or promote the use of Artificial Intelligence for artistic purposes.
GRADE LEVELS: 6-9
DATE: Saturday January 31st, 2026
TIME: 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Physics Across Worlds: All-Girls* Pro-D Day (UBC VANCOUVER)
Planets in the universe can have wildly different environments but the laws of physics are the same everywhere. Join us at our first GoPhysGirl event where we will explore physics across Earth and Mars! We will start the day with fun physics demos before we look at natural disasters on Earth and how physics can help us understand and protect communities. Then, we will land on Mars to discover how astrophysics shapes space exploration. By the end of the day, you’ll see that physics governs everything, but curiosity is yours to shape!
This event is part of Go Phys Girl: an exciting, hands-on opportunity for girls* to learn about the world of physics. *All cis and trans girls, genderqueer or non-binary people, and those who identify as other gender minorities are welcome.
GRADE LEVELS: 6-9
DATE: Friday February 13th, 2026
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Engineering Design Competition – Engineers Without Borders (UBC VANCOUVER)
Love to design, test, fail, and try again? The Engineering Design Competition is for you! Engineering challenges become even more exciting when they tackle real-world problems—because that’s exactly what engineers do: create solutions for everyday uncertainties. This Winter 2026, we’re partnering with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) UBC Chapter to give participants a hands-on opportunity to address a critical problem where your thoughtful engineering could make a real difference. EWB works to combat poverty and inequality through a global network of socially conscious engineers and technologists. Join us and EWB to brainstorm, build, test, and iterate, and see how your ideas could create an impact in communities near and far! The specific theme of the event will be revealed one week in advance—get ready to innovate!
GRADE LEVELS: 7-11
DATE: Saturday February 28th, 2026
Sunday STEM-letes: Exploring Sports Science (UBC VANCOUVER)
We’re switching lanes for this event! Join us on a Sunday this March where we will learn about the human body in motion. We will explore key biomechanics and kinesiology concepts and see how technological innovations in engineering and beyond are shaping sports science today. Whether it’s preventing injuries in athletes or designing or designing tools to improve performance, this event is perfect for anyone curious about the intersection between STEM and sports. Please note that this event is being held on a Sunday for this event only.
GRADE LEVELS: 7-11
DATE: Sunday March 8th, 2026
Neural Connectors: From Brains to Machines (UBC VANCOUVER)
Neuroscience is often studied at the intersection of biology, engineering, psychology, and even computer science—combining the study of our brains with the way we build new technologies. At the Neural Connections event, we’ll explore how nervous systems allow different species to sense, move, and think, while inspiring innovations in bioengineering and artificial intelligence. Throughout the day, you’ll map components of the brain and their functions through hands-on projects, including learning about biomedical devices and more. Are you ready to use your own brain to study the brain?
GRADE LEVELS: 6-10
DATE: Saturday March 28th, 2026
COME FIND US: ANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENTS
Discovery Day: AME Roundup (DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER)
Discovery Day is free, family fun! Experience mineral exploration and mining and the technology that makes it possible in a hands-on, interactive day of learning, getting kids excited about STEM in BC. Registration can be found on the Discover Day website. Tickets required.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
DATE: January 2026
Kids Take Over UBC (UBC VANCOUVER)
Come find us at this on-campus event! Registration can be found on the Kids Take Over UBC website. Tickets required.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
DATE: February 2026
UBC Science Rendezvous
UBC Science Rendezvous is back at UBC Vancouver! Come for an exciting line up of hands-on STEM activities, demos, and tours.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
DATE: May 2026
FAQ
Don’t be discouraged! We often open up a couple of seats a few days before our events due to cancellations. We encourage you to still sign up!
Yes, you can register for more than 1 session.
Reach us at events.geeringup@ubc.ca.
