Winter Events registration is 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 4 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 October 2024 – April 2025
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:
Engineering Design Challenge: Fall 2024
We’re taking it back to the classics for our Fall Engineering Design Competition!
Students in grades 6-9 will participate in a hands-on engineering design challenge focused on bridge construction. Guided by mentors, participants will design their bridges and simulate them on a digital simulation software.
The event includes testing the bridges for stressors in the simulation, allowing students to apply their research and problem-solving skills. This challenge emphasizes practical application of STEM principles, collaboration, and critical thinking as teams work through the entire design process from concept to virtual testing.
The challenge will be scaled with further context, location and environmental considerations which will be revealed on the day of!
GRADE LEVELS: Grades 6-9
DATE: November 23rd, 2024
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
STEnvironment Series: All Girls* (Morning) and General (Afternoon)
The STEnvironment Series is a two-series event focusing on 3D Printing and EcoCoding! Both days will focus on sustainability and environmental design to drive learning.
In Part 1 (November 30th), grades 5-8 students will explore the world of 3D printing, create basic designs, and develop their own unique creations.
In Part 2 (December 7th), return to take home 3D-printed masterpieces from the week prior and learn about EcoCoding. EcoCoding is the practice of writing computer programs that take less energy and are good for the environment. Join us to learn all about how to be a coder for the future!
STEnvironment Series morning sessions will be All-Girls* sessions. For General sessions, please register for the afternoon sessions.
*We use the words “girls” and “women” with an asterisk (*) to intentionally include students and stakeholders who are underrepresented in STEM fields. Cis girls/women and trans, genderqueer, or non-binary people are welcome at our All Girls* programming. For more information, visit our All Girls* page on our website.
GRADE LEVELS: Grades 5-8
DATE: November 30th & December 7th (two-part series)
TIME: 9:00AM – 12:30PM (All Girls*), 1:00-4:30 (General)
Tech in Motion: GU x Cloverdale Robotics Learning (SURREY)
We will charge into 2025 with robotics expertise from Cloverdale Robotics Learning, based in Surrey, for the Tech in Motion event. This immersive day will bring you hands-on learning on what makes a robot tick! Our focus will be to code MicroBits that control your robot’s sensors and movement. With intricate mazes to uncover, join us to see if you or your robot will be out of breath first, in this beginner-friendly robotics event in Cloverdale.
GRADE LEVELS: Grades 5-8
DATE: January 18th, 2025
TIME: 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Soaring Pathways: Aviation with BCIT (RICHMOND)
In partnership with BCIT – Aerospace Technology, our event will brim with the energy one finds at a busy airport!
With a sneak peak of behind the scenes action of an airport, the day will guide through both logistical operations of an airport and how aircrafts are maintained. Your eyes won’t tire as you visit various airplanes and learn about engines and aircraft construction.
We will end the day with a tour in the Airplane Simulator room and for most of us, this will be the first time we take a look inside a cockpit. Happy soaring!
GRADE LEVELS: Grades 9-12
DATE: February 1st, 2025
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Technovation Girls*: Pitch and Hackathon Competition (UBC Vancouver)
This event is open for registration to girls* enrolled in Technovation Girls*, a global competition where teams identify and develop tech solutions for local problems. The day will kick off with essential technical skills training to enhance your tech solutions. As the only in-person event for the BC Chapter, the Pitch and Hackathon is your chance to learn and be inspired by various BC teams presenting throughout the day. All teams will compete and receive valuable feedback from mentors, setting you up for success in your final submission. Teams in both Junior and Senior Divisions are welcome!
GRADE LEVELS: Grades 5-12
DATE: February 8th, 2025
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Engineering Design Competition: Winter 2025 (UBC VANCOUVER)
It’s a day full of secret missions and serious designs. For GU’s 30th anniversary, we’re reinventing our Engineering Design Competition! Participants will don their hard hats as they invent solutions for some of the best design challenges we’ve created over the years across multiple disciplines within engineering. In this design competition, the goal is to enhance our critical thinking skills in record time. Please note: Pay attention to your pre-event emails for ciphers that will equip you with competitive advantage!
GRADE LEVELS: 8-12
DATE: February 22nd, 2025
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Beyond Blogs: Online Experiences with Salesforce – All Girls* (DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER)
Our partnership with Salesforce brings a dynamic event that will be hosted in their Vancouver downtown office. Salesforce, a SaaS company, serves over 150,000 customers globally with their software that can be customized to each business’s needs. In a day dedicated to dreaming and actualizing your own website, you will also walk away with a broader understanding of tech roles for women* through conversations with various Salesforce mentors!
GRADE LEVELS: 7-12
DATE: Friday February 14th, 2025
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Electro-Quantum: Tomorrow’s Technologies (SURREY)
We’re looking at hardware for this year’s Quantum event! What is quantum mechanics? How do electrical engineers drive the future of quantum computing? Is quantum technology the future? Hosted by the Quantum Algorithm Institute, we will discuss these big-picture questions while building hands-on knowledge in breadboarding and microcontrollers to lay the foundations for your quantum engineering dreams!
GRADE LEVELS: 7-10
DATE: March 1st, 2025
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Intersections in Engineering: All Girls* (UBC VANCOUVER)
Can biomedical engineering and kinesiology collide? Where does sustainable design end and civil engineering begin? What engineering specialty best leads to a tech career?
Join us to learn from women* mentors who built their careers in engineering with other intersections! We will have bursts of hands-on learning activities throughout the day planned for you as well in varying engineering specialities. Additionally, this will be a great opportunity to learn from current students and their interdisciplinary approach to engineering.
GRADE LEVELS: 7-10
DATE: April 5th, 2025
TIME: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
COME FIND US: COMMUNITY EVENTS
Engineering Open House: UBC Vancouver & UBC Okanagan
Attend the on-campus UBC Engineering Open House to discover your future at one of Canada’s top engineering schools. Explore all that UBC Engineering has to offer through in-person booths and demonstrations. You’ll learn about:
- Our 14 engineering programs by chatting with professors, students and advisors
- Student life
- Co-op and other work experience
You’ll have a chance to explore some of our campus so you can check out our student spaces and lecture halls, as well as talk with professors and current students. Register here!
DATE: November 2nd, 2024
TIME: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
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: Sunday January 19th, 2025
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 18th, 2025
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.
