A student-designed modular dome system exploring sustainable agriculture, agritourism and year-round growing in Northern BC

Project group 17 standing in front of their project board at the Capstone Showcase.

Capstone Project Name:

FarmPod: Micro-Farm Domes for Agri-Tech + Agritourism

Team Members:

• Cassidy Legebokow, Mechanical Engineering
• Enrica Guidi, Civil Engineering
• Vivian Schmeeckle, Mechanical Engineering
• Jessalyn Svendsen, Mechanical Engineering
• Esteban Meiffredy, Mechanical Engineering
• Khiem Nguyen, Mechanical Engineering

Students in the Capstone Design Project course partnered Carla Mather, Founder of ENCODER Labs based in Kelowna. Mather partnered with the student team to support the development of FarmPod, a modular micro-farm dome concept focused on sustainable agriculture and agritourism applications. She provided industry insight, feedback throughout the design process, and guidance on how the concept could align with real-world market opportunities and community needs.

This Capstone project begins with a question that feels increasingly urgent: how do you grow more with less, especially when the land itself pushes back?

For the team behind FarmPod, the answer took shape not as a single structure, but as a system. “FarmPod is a modular geodesic dome system designed as both a high-efficiency greenhouse and agritourism space,” they explain – an idea that folds together engineering, sustainability, and experience into something deceptively simple. But like most solutions, it exists because the current ones fall short.

Where existing designs fall apart

Geodesic domes aren’t new. Modular systems aren’t new either. But combining the two while meeting real-world constraints of mother nature’s harsh treatment of Northern BC, is where things begin to unravel.

 “Modular geodesic domes exist currently on the market, but none are reliably waterproof or meet ALR guidelines of a non-permanent structure,” the team notes.

That gap matters more than it first appears. In British Columbia, Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) regulations limit what can be built and how permanent those structures can be. At the same time, northern climates introduce their own demands: heavy snow, harsh winters, and land that often isn’t considered farmable.

“Watching the students take the FarmPod idea from a rough concept into a real engineered system has been incredibly exciting,” says Carla Mather. “They had to work through the same kinds of constraints farmers face in the real world: weather, regulations, cost, materials, and practicality. Their work has given FarmPod a strong foundation, and it opens the door to testing how modular dome systems could help small farms become more resilient and creative.”

So the challenge wasn’t just structural. It was regulatory, environmental, and deeply practical.

“The domes are designed to withstand the harsh winters and heavy snowfalls,” they explain, while also enabling year-round growing through hydroponics, grow lights, and solar heating systems. The result is a system that doesn’t fight the environment it’s set in but instead works around it.

Engineering, but make it LEGO

Ask what drew them in, and the answer shifts from technical to an unexpectedly playful answer that many can relate to.

“All of us share an interest in the environment and conservation, but our interests seemed to be sparked by the complexity of working with a geodesic dome crossed with the flexibility of a modular structure” they say, but they also add something else: “as big fans of LEGO, the opportunity to work with a modular system in real life is quite exciting.”

And that metaphor holds.

FarmPod is, at its core, a buildable system. Pieces come together, come apart, and adapt. But unlike plastic bricks on a living room floor, every connection here has to hold against weather, load, and time.

The problem with “just seal it”

If you strip the project down to its most stubborn technical hurdle, it comes down to a question that sounds almost trivial: how do you keep water out?

Except here, the usual answer of installing a permeant shelter was off the table.

“The most significant technical challenge was sealing the panels without using any permanent methods, such as caulking,” they explain.

Without any adhesives or shortcuts allowed, they engineered around it: “We solved this by using a pre-existing modular system of aluminum extrusions… where rubber seals can wedge aluminum composite in place.”

It’s a solution that wouldn’t come to the top of mind at first, but it does something critical: it preserves disassembly, eliminates waste, and still achieves a functional seal.

In other words, it respects the rules of the system while solving the problem inside it, which lines up well with the whole premise of FarmPod.

The part that makes it fun

Of course, no Capstone story is complete without something that goes slightly off-script but makes the project worthwhile.

For this team, it showed up in the form of inconsistent 3D prints. “We used a mix of used a mix of personal 3D printers, printers from the university’s Makerspace and the ORL Library … which led to inconsistency in the printing of our mini-hubs,” they reflect – a small logistical decision that quietly snowballs into a larger issue as engineers know all too well.

And then there was the sealing incident. After an hour of struggling to install the seals, the team was ready to abandon the approach entirely. Until, in a moment that feels almost cinematic, everything flipped.

“Our team leader… rolls over [in their wheelchair] and installs the seals in less than 10 seconds,” they recall. The catch? “We were trying to install them backwards!”

Moments like these don’t show up in final reports, but defines the experience anyway.

Designing for places that don’t usually get designed for

What makes FarmPod distinct isn’t just the structure – it’s where and how it’s meant to exist.

“Much of the land in Northern BC and the Caribou region is not deemed farmable,” the team explains. That single constraint reframes the entire project. The goal isn’t optimization for already-productive land. It’s creating opportunity where there currently isn’t any.

By combining controlled-environment agriculture with modular design, the domes extend the growing season into winter months, which transforms a natural limitation into usable space. And because they remain non-permanent, they still fit within regulatory boundaries.

The rhythm of real engineering

If there’s a thread running through their experience, it’s adaptability. “We went through the design process too many times to count,” they say.

Iteration is never just a phase for engineers – it’s more akin to a never-ending process.

To manage that, the team structured their work deliberately by splitting deliverables into smaller groups of three so that ideas could develop in parallel while still being shared. “Every team member had a partner to work with and bounce ideas off of,” they explain. It’s a quiet systems design of its own; the design isn’t just the product, but the workflow behind it.

What comes next

FarmPod and iteration in general is not a finished endpoint.

“Our project is likely to be passed on to a future capstone team,” they note. Given more time and resources, their vision expands predictably outward: a full-scale build with planned long-term testing of deployment in the Caribou region.

And eventually, just like the group’s LEGO motivation in the beginning, the product model could exist as “ready build kits” – something that can be shipped, assembled, and used without needing to reinvent the system each time.

The system that perseveres 

At a glance, FarmPod is a dome.

Look closer, and it’s something else entirely: a response to constraint, a negotiation with environment, and a system designed to adapt instead of give up.

It’s also a reminder that engineering doesn’t always move in straight lines. Sometimes it loops, stalls, flips directions and occasionally gets installed backwards before it finally clicks into place. And when it clicks, the dome holds.

Dr. Ana Isabel Sarkis Fernandez in the lab at UBC Okanagan.

Ana Isabel Sarkis Fernandez is a postdoctoral research fellow in earthquake engineering at UBC Okanagan. Originally from Costa Rica, she has lived, studied, and worked across multiple countries, bringing a global perspective to her work on seismic resilience. Her research focuses on understanding why innovative building technologies are not widely adopted in Canada and how to bridge the gap between research and industry practice. With experience in both consulting and academia, she is passionate about making engineering solutions more practical, sustainable, and impactful in real-world construction. 

Tell us a bit about yourself: 

I’m an earthquake engineer and research fellow at UBC Okanagan. Outside of work, I’m a mum to a 10-month-old, which has been the most intense and rewarding adventure so far. I enjoy martial arts and hiking, and I’m also a big anime fan and an avid reader. Those interests have stayed with me through different stages of life and helped me keep a sense of balance.

Can you share a bit about your academic journey leading up to your postdoctoral fellowship? 

I was born and raised in Costa Rica, where I completed my undergraduate degree in civil engineering. After graduating, I worked for a couple of years as a structural engineer in consulting, which gave me valuable practical experience and exposed me to the real-world challenges of designing buildings in seismic regions. 

I then pursued a Master’s in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology at the ROSE School in Pavia, Italy. That experience deepened my technical foundation and confirmed that I wanted to focus my career on seismic resilience. 

I later completed my PhD in Earthquake Engineering at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, where my research focused on understanding the seismic behavior of precast concrete floor systems. Each stage, from practice to international study to research, shaped how I approach engineering today. 

What motivated you to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship, and why did you choose UBC Okanagan? 

After completing my PhD, I returned to consulting in Vancouver, where I worked primarily on the seismic design of tall residential buildings. While I valued the experience, I often found myself reflecting on the gap between research and practice. 

Coming from a research background, I knew there were newer design approaches and technologies available, but in practice, we often relied on more traditional methods. It wasn’t that the work was wrong, but it sometimes felt limited. That curiosity and sometimes frustration pushed me to ask why we weren’t doing things differently. 

That disconnect motivated me to look more closely at the barriers to adoption, not just from a technical standpoint but from a broader industry and decision-making perspective. I realized I wanted to contribute to bridging that gap. 

UBC Okanagan felt like the right place for this work. Connecting with my supervisor, Dr. Lisa Tobber, was a key factor. We shared very aligned interests, and the opportunity to work in questions that sit in the intersection of research and industry made the decision feel like a natural next step. 

“That curiosity, and sometimes frustration, pushed me to ask why we weren’t doing things differently.”

UBCO Engineering Assistant Professor Dr. Lisa Tobber (right) with Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr. Ana Isabel Sarkis Fernandez

Please describe your current research project (in a way non-engineers can understand). 

My current research focuses on understanding why technologies such as dampers, which help buildings absorb earthquake energy and reduce damage, remain relatively uncommon in Canada, even though it has been successfully applied in other countries. 

There is already a lot of research showing that these technologies work and can significantly improve building resilience. However, Canada has been slower to adopt them, especially in the construction sector. 

I’m studying the barriers that prevent these innovations from being adopted. These barriers are not only technical but also involve multiple stakeholders such as developers, contractors, insurers, and regulatory bodies. Each group plays a role in deciding whether a new technology is used. 

At the same time, I’m analyzing how buildings perform when dampers are used and working on developing clear, practical design guidance for engineers. 

This builds on my previous research, which focused on how concrete buildings behave during earthquakes. Now, instead of only understanding damage, I’m looking at how we can actually implement better solutions in real-world construction. 

How have you found the research community at UBCO? 

My research group has been incredibly welcoming and supportive. There’s a strong sense of enthusiasm for research, which is very motivating. 

I’ve also noticed that the university offers many opportunities to connect, like workshops, seminars, and networking events. Even though I’m still settling in, it feels like a place where building community is encouraged, which is really important when starting somewhere new. 

What has been the most rewarding part of your postdoctoral experience so far? 

One of the most rewarding aspects has been working on a topic that directly connects research with real-world impact. My work is rooted in questions I developed while working in industry, so it feels meaningful to explore those challenges more deeply and contribute to improving how buildings are designed. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects has been working on a topic that directly connects research with real-world impact” 

What challenges have you encountered, and how have you grown from them? 

Research can be challenging because progress is not always immediately visible. Unlike industry work, where outcomes can be more tangible, research often involves long timelines and abstract milestones. 

During my PhD, I learned the importance of defining a clear scope and setting realistic goals. Breaking down large research questions into smaller, manageable tasks helps me stay motivated and feel like I’m making consistent progress. 

You were recently named a recipient of the NSERC and L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Supplement. What did this recognition mean to you, both personally and professionally? 

Receiving the NSERC and L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Supplement was very meaningful to me. It arrived at a moment of uncertainty and vulnerability, as I was pursuing two dreams at the same time: changing career direction and starting a family. 

The award came as a reminder that taking the risk is worth it, that change can be empowering, and that women should never have to choose between their personal lives and their career aspirations. 

Considering your future career goals, how has this fellowship helped prepare you? 

This fellowship is helping me develop a more interdisciplinary approach to engineering. In addition to technical research, I’m engaging with industry professionals, conducting interviews, and understanding how decisions are made across different stakeholders. 

That broader perspective is essential for creating solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and implementable. 

What advice would you give to early career researchers considering a postdoctoral fellowship? 

Be genuinely interested about the topic you’re working on. Research can be demanding, and staying motivated over long periods requires curiosity and engagement. Also remember that progress in research is not always linear or immediately visible. It’s important to trust the process and focus on consistent effort rather than expecting quick results. 

It’s also important to define your scope clearly and set achievable goals. Having structure helps you track progress and maintain momentum. 

“Progress in research is not always linear or immediately visible.” 

As a woman in engineering, how has your perspective shaped your experience? 

Being a woman in engineering has made me very aware that improving representation is not just about encouraging more women to enter the field, but also about creating environments where they can stay, grow, and lead. 

Retention remains a real challenge. That perspective has become even more meaningful since becoming a parent and seeing firsthand the challenges many people face in balancing family and career. Many talented women leave not because of a lack of ability or ambition, but because of structural and cultural barriers. 

That awareness has shaped how I see my role. I feel a responsibility not only to contribute technically but also to be visible in spaces where women have historically been underrepresented. 

I do see meaningful shifts. There is greater recognition that diversity strengthens innovation and leads to better outcomes. Change takes time, but every person who contributes becomes part of that progress. 

“Improving representation is not just about encouraging more women to enter the field, but also about creating environments where they can stay, grow, and lead.”

What advice would you share with the next generation of women in engineering? 

Trust your curiosity and don’t be afraid to follow the questions that genuinely interest you, even if your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s. 

There may be moments when you feel like you don’t fully belong. Those moments can be challenging, but they can also be powerful. Your perspective brings value that no one else can replicate. 

Seek out supportive mentors and peers and remember that confidence grows with experience. What matters most is staying curious and continuing to learn. 

For wheelchair users, snow-covered paths can create significant barriers to independent mobility.

Project group I14 standing in front of their project board at the Capstone Showcase.

Capstone Project Name:

Wheelchair Accessible Snow Shovel

Team Members:

• Axcan Alba Gonzalez – Mechanical Engineering
• Ian Schoeman – Mechanical Engineering
• Marcus Chan – Mechanical Engineering
• Aidan MacKenzie – Mechanical Engineering
• Lewis McCombie – Mechanical Engineering
• Michael Zidkovich – Mechanical Engineering

Students in the Capstone Design Project course partnered with Jeff Bourne, a Kelowna-based independent contractor, to develop a wheelchair-accessible snow plow attachment designed to help users clear a path independently after snowfall.

The team’s goal was to create a one-operator snow-removal attachment that could be operated from a wheelchair, reducing reliance on others while accounting for the practical constraints of real-world use.

Designing with lived experience

Bourne brings lived experience as a wheelchair user and played a key role in shaping the project’s direction. He contributed to the initial design concepts and provided user-specific insights that informed design decisions and helped optimize the solution for real-world use.

“I’ve had the idea for a wheelchair-accessible snow plow for as long as I can remember. It really stood out when I was living in the Glenrosa area of West Kelowna, where we got a lot of snow. Getting myself and my wife in and out during the winter was often a real challenge,” said Jeff Bourne.

For the team, Bourne’s experience helped define both the problem and the design priorities. The project required them to consider not only how the attachment would move snow, but also how it could connect securely to a wheelchair and function within the practical constraints of real-world use.

Early CAD concept showing the snow-clearing blade and proposed wheelchair attachment system.

What problem are you trying to solve, and why does it matter?

During heavy snowfall, it can be difficult and at times unsafe for wheelchair users to leave their homes if snow cannot be cleared in a timely way. This can limit mobility and make people more reliant on others for assistance.

“For myself and many others across Canada and other colder parts of the world, winter can be incredibly limiting,” said Bourne. “Once the snow hits, we can end up housebound for days or even weeks at a time. My hope is that with a wheelchair-accessible snow plow, that kind of isolation could become a thing of the past.”

The team set out to develop a solution that would help wheelchair users clear snow independently. By focusing on a one-operator system, the design is intended to allow users to clear a path from their wheelchair without relying on external assistance.

Working alongside Bourne gave the team a deeper understanding of the everyday barriers wheelchair users face during the winter, reinforcing how closely mobility and independence are connected.

“Thanks to Jeff, we were able to gain a greater understanding of what it is like to move through the world as a wheelchair user,” the team said. “It became very easy to see why the fight for independence, even in small tasks like plowing a driveway, is so crucial.”

Who does this solution impact the most?

Wheelchair users in areas with excessive amounts of snow.

What inspired your team to choose this project, broadly speaking?

We saw the project on the Capstone list and thought, “that might be kind of cool.” Immediately there were a few ideas brewing, so we decided to put it as our first choice of project.

Was there a specific moment, experience, or gap that made this problem stand out?

Not personally, we think the opportunity to work with a member of society was more enticing than working with a large company that already had its own ideas and expectations for a project. It gave us a little more room to be creative and better someone’s life.

What is one key technical challenge your team had to solve, and how did you approach it?

The frame of our plow is made of square aluminum tubing. One main technical challenge we faced was determining the tubing wall thickness required to withstand a significant amount of snow. To do this, we created SolidWorks models and ran simulations to determine the amount of force different thicknesses could withstand. In the end, we settled on 1/8” thick aluminum tubing.

CAD model used to develop the aluminum-tube frame and assess the snow shovel attachment’s structural design.

What makes your solution unique compared to existing approaches?

Our solution is incredibly economical compared to designs that already exist. Obviously, other designs are incredibly robust and professionally manufactured, but we put together a design that still gets the job done at a fraction of the cost.

Final prototype of the wheelchair-accessible snow shovel attachment, shown mounted to the project partner’s wheelchair.

What was the biggest challenge your team faced, and how did you overcome it?

We think the biggest challenge was figuring out where and how to attach the prototype to the wheelchair. Since the wheelchair is very ergonomic with lots of plastic covers, our only option was to use a tiedown eyelet that is connected directly to the frame of the wheelchair. However, the space available to attach to is quite small, which meant we needed a very simple design to accommodate those conditions. As a result, we came up with a simple pin and shackle design that was secure but still fit in the space provided.

What is something that didn’t go as planned, and what did you learn from it?

In the prototype phase of the project, we modelled our design and submitted our materials and measurements to the machine shop to have everything cut and welded. However, after receiving everything back, we realized our measurements were not as accurate as we had hoped, and the product didn’t fit quite right. We learned that the best and most accurate way to do things was to physically bring the wheelchair to the shop so the shop technicians could have it to ensure the fitment between the wheelchair and attachment was perfect.

What is a memorable, funny, or unexpected moment from your Capstone experience?

On the night that some of the large deliverables were due, we handed everything in and went out for wings as a celebratory dinner. That was a pretty enjoyable time.

How did your team collaborate or divide responsibilities?

At the beginning of the project, everyone was keen to chip in wherever they could. Towards the end, it became a little more difficult with the buildup of extra work from other courses. However, it was just a matter of figuring out what each person was good at or enjoyed doing, and then picking up the slack where it needed to be.

What is the most valuable skill or mindset you developed during Capstone?

We learned that working effectively as a team requires clear expectations, communication, and an understanding of each person’s strengths. The best we can do is make the expectations clear and lay the foundation to get them to begin working. We realized it takes a bit of finesse to find out what people are good at and then put them in positions that allow them to use that skill to push the project forward.

What is something that surprised you about working on a real-world engineering project?

We were surprised at the amount of work that was needed before even thinking about potential designs. Before getting to the prototype phase, we had to define the scope of the project, do some research and collect information. After that was done, then we could start to brainstorm possibilities.

What advice would you give to future Capstone students starting their projects?

We would say to start defining the scope and doing research as early as you can. The deliverables and meetings take up a lot of time and that time becomes very valuable towards the end of the project.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

We would probably start on things a little bit earlier.

What does the future look like for your project?

The design absolutely has the potential to be expanded on in the future. If the client would like to see future iterations done on the design, he could resubmit it into the Capstone Program next year or even take it to a shop and have them optimize it. As for our group, we think most of the team are content with the work we have done with it and don’t intend on taking it further.

If you had unlimited time and resources, how would you take this project further?

There are a number of things that would make the design easier to use. Optimizing the materials would be the first improvement, like utilizing high strength plastics instead of steel. Second, we would add a lever that allows the blade to lift off the ground slightly to deal with large obstacles or uneven surfaces. Lastly, we would optimize the T-handle attachment by putting it on a hinge and making it easier to use for users with low hand dexterity.

Do you see this project being implemented, scaled, or commercialized?

We don’t think there is enough demand for the product, especially in a place like Kelowna where snow melts within 24 hours of landing on the ground. However, if it was taken somewhere like Alberta where accumulation is a big problem, we think the product could absolutely be implemented.

Where can readers learn more about your work or project if it’s public (e.g. website, portfolio, LinkedIn)?

The project can be found in the “Projects” section of Michael Zidkovich’s ePortfolio: https://sites.google.com/view/michaelzidkovich/projects

Learn more about Capstone and how to submit a project proposal for 2026-2027!

Fatemeh Niknahad (centre), First Place winner for Microwave Ice Sensor, with judges and EGSS organizers, including Sepideh Pakpour, following the School of Engineering’s Three Minute Thesis competition at UBC Okanagan.

Graduate students from UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering (SoE) gathered on March 4, 2026, for the UBC Okanagan Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, presenting their research to an audience of faculty, staff and peers in just three minutes.

The international competition challenges thesis-based graduate students to clearly explain the significance of their research to a general audience using only a single static slide. The format encourages strong communication skills while giving students an opportunity to showcase their work beyond academic audiences.

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition opened with remarks from Dr. Will Hughes, Director of the School of Engineering and a past participant and judge in the competition. Hughes reflected on his own early experiences with public speaking, noting how opportunities like pitch competitions helped him build confidence and strengthen communication skills. He emphasized that the ability to clearly explain complex ideas in a short amount of time is a skill that serves students well throughout their academic and professional careers.

Nine graduate students presented research spanning a wide range of topics, including sustainable infrastructure, energy systems and transportation.

Participants included:

• Mohammad Alboghobeish — Safe Drinking Water?
• Rubaiya Rumman — Sustainable Concrete
• Ronald Kizza — Down the Drain into our Vehicles
• Lakkitha Liyanage — Real Energy Behind Every Swim
• Shahrukh Hossain Rian — Solar Energy in Kelowna
• Imrul Kayes Shafie — Weeklong Travel Demand
• Uthpalee Hewage — Autonomous, But Human-Centred
• Pronob Das — Lithium-ion Battery Recycling
• Fatemeh Niknahad — Microwave Ice Sensor

Presentations were evaluated by a panel of judges including Dr. Mohammad Zarifi, Dr. Graeme Webb, and Katherine Latosinsky, a previous 3MT award recipient. Judges assessed presentations based on clarity of content, engagement with the audience and the effectiveness of the single-slide visual.

Although the competition was close, two students were recognized for outstanding presentations.

First Place was awarded to Fatemeh Niknahad for her presentation, Microwave Ice Sensor.

The Runner-Up and People’s Choice Award was presented to Rubaiya Rumman for Turning Waste into Strength: Wood Fly Ash for Sustainable Concrete.

2026 3MT winners Fatemeh Niknahad (First Place) and Rubaiya Rumman (Runner-Up and People’s Choice Award).

Reflecting on the experience, Niknahad shared:

“Participating in the School of Engineering Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at UBC Okanagan was a wonderful experience. It was a great opportunity to share my research on the microwave ice sensing system with friends and colleagues from the School of Engineering. I’m grateful for the opportunity and truly appreciate the recognition.”

Rumman said the competition provided a valuable opportunity to communicate her research beyond her field.

“My research focuses on turning waste wood ash into a cement substitute to help achieve more sustainable concrete for the construction industry. This research is highly valuable in the Canadian context, and I am proud to contribute to such impactful work. The Three Minute Thesis gave me a platform to present my work to people outside of my discipline. I practiced my speech with my seven-year-old son many times, and I was so glad he was there to watch me receive the awards. To him, I won the world, not just the School of Engineering heat.”

The winner will advance to represent the School of Engineering at the UBC Okanagan Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Finals on April 14 at the Mary Irwin Theatre.

More information about the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition is available through UBC Okanagan’s College of Graduate Studies.

Learn more
Visit the event page

The competition was organized by the Engineering Graduate Student Society (EGSS), with leadership from Laya Feizabadi, Olivia Helena Margoto (master of ceremonies), Lixin Tu and Zejia Xu. The EGSS team also supported the event by coordinating presentation materials, managing timing and assisting judges with score compilation.

Sepideh Pakpour, Associate Director of Graduate Students for the School of Engineering, thanked the organizers, participants and attendees for helping make the competition a success. She also acknowledged the contributions of the School’s Graduate Award Committee, whose feedback helped strengthen the format of this year’s competition.

Events such as the Three Minute Thesis competition highlight the innovative research being conducted by graduate students while helping them develop the skills needed to communicate their work clearly and confidently.

Highlights from the 2026 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition:

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International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, celebrates the achievements of women while recognizing the ongoing work toward gender equality. Across Canada and around the world, the day encourages reflection, celebration and continued progress toward more inclusive communities.

At UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Applied Science, School of Engineering, women contribute to the strength of the community in many ways—from research and teaching to student support and administration. This year, the school is recognizing the contributions of the Administration Team, whose work helps support the day-to-day operations that keep the school moving forward.

Working across a variety of roles, the Administration Team provides coordination and support for faculty, students and leadership. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays an important role in helping the school’s academic and administrative initiatives run smoothly.

Women of Impact in Canada. Government of Canada.

The Government of Canada’s Women of Impact in Canada gallery highlight the lasting impact women continue to make across science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

To mark International Women’s Day, members of the Administration Team were invited to share reflections on what the day means to them.

One-word responses from members of the School of Engineering Administration Team.

When asked to describe International Women’s Day in one word, responses included connection, solidarity, appreciation, empowerment, inspiration and celebration. Words used to describe the Administration Team included supportive, evolving, partnership, resilient and adaptive, reflecting the collaborative nature of the group.

For Jenny Cooper, Staff and Faculty Coordinator, International Women’s Day is closely tied to the next generation of women leaders.

“My daughter, Mila, continues to inspire me as she grows into a thoughtful, strong young woman pursuing political science and communications at the University of Ottawa,” she says. “Seeing her step confidently into her independence reinforces why creating supportive and equitable environments matters so much.”

Support and mentorship within the workplace were also highlighted as important parts of the team’s culture.

“I’m so grateful for Brenda Janzen,” shared Nikki Olson, noting that her colleague is “a great source of support, humour and kindness to everyone.”

Members of the team also reflected on the ways their work contributes to building inclusive environments within engineering.

“In my role, I support fair and structured recruitment processes that help increase representation and advancement opportunities for women in engineering and leadership spaces,” says Cooper.

For Gadia Braga, Finance Support Services Assistant, respect and kindness are central to supporting the community around her.

“I strongly believe in treating everyone we encounter with respect and showing kindness and friendliness to all those around us,” she says. “Being part of the Administration Team is an honour, and it’s rewarding to help support such a strong community within the School of Engineering.”

Through their collaboration and dedication, the Administration Team within the Faculty of Applied Science, School of Engineering plays an important role in supporting the students, faculty and initiatives that shape the school’s vibrant community.

As the School of Engineering marks International Women’s Day, the contributions of the Administration Team highlight the collaboration, care and commitment that help strengthen the school each day. The School also recognizes the important support of colleagues across teams who contribute to this work, including members of the Finance team such as Dominika Wesolowski (Senior Finance Manager), Jamie Rose and Liliana Renteria Martinez (Research Finance).

Members of the School of Engineering Administration Team include:

• Gadia Braga, Finance Support Services Assistant
• Jenny Cooper, Staff and Faculty Coordinator
• Rhonda Hay, Faculty and Staff Coordinator
• Jill Heinrichs, Administration and Project Manager
• Brenda Janzen, Support Services Assistant
• Mareike (Mimi) Miller, Manager, Administration
• Nikki Olson, Finance and Admin Support
• Judy Strykiwsky, TA Program Coordinator
• Emily Zhang, Undergraduate Lab Lead

An honourable mention is also extended to Jake Guo for his ongoing support of the Administration Team and the many ways he contributes to the work of the School of Engineering.

In an era defined by rapid technological change and evolving student expectations, traditional lecture-based instruction is no longer enough.

Empowering Educators: Innovative Teaching Methodologies in the AI Era is a high-impact workshop that will inspire university instructors, senior-year PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, strengthen teaching effectiveness, and enhance student outcomes. The workshop is open to faculty at both UBC campuses.

This engaging, hands-on session is designed for forward-thinking faculty members eager to elevate their pedagogy and deepen student engagement in our increasingly AI-driven world.

Event Details

Date: April 24, 2026

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. PDT

Location: Room C440, UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC

Registration: https://www.csce.ca/iCore/Events/Event_display.aspx?EventKey=WRKSHP01&WebsiteKey=2f0e7ff9-c79d-4974-88bb-6e327024997e

Through collaborative discussion, practical demonstrations, and peer exchange, participants will explore evidence-based strategies that are reshaping higher education, including:

• Project-Based Learning (PBL): Design authentic learning experiences where students tackle real-world challenges, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and disciplinary mastery.
• Gamification: Boost motivation and retention by thoughtfully integrating narrative, choice, feedback loops, and meaningful rewards—without compromising academic rigor.
• Generative AI as a Pedagogical Partner: Move beyond viewing AI as a tool. Learn how to use generative AI ethically to enhance brainstorming, personalize feedback, simulate scenarios, and co-create learning materials, while nurturing original thought and academic integrity.

Learn from Experienced Educators

The workshop will be led by UBC Okanagan School of Engineering professors Dr. Ray Taheri and Dr. Shahria Alam, experienced educators and educational developers recognized for advancing innovative, student-centered approaches in higher education.

Participants will leave with:

• Actionable ideas ready to implement
• Adaptable templates and frameworks
• Practical strategies for integrating AI responsibly
• A supportive network of peers committed to teaching innovation

Whether you are new to these approaches or refining an already innovative practice, this workshop offers meaningful insights for educators across disciplines.

Learn More

Watch a short video to learn more about the upcoming workshop, then  register online

UBC Okanagan’s Great Northern Concrete Toboggan team on the course with their winning sled.

A team of 23 engineering students from UBC Okanagan has earned national recognition at the 2026 Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race. Facing competition from approximately 20 universities across Canada, the student-led team earned second-place finishes in Technical Report, Braking, Steering and Frame Design, won the head-to-head King of the Hill event, and placed second overall.

The Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race is the longest-running national university engineering design competition in Canada, assembling more than 400 engineering students from approximately 20 universities each year. Hosted in London, Ontario, with Race Day taking place at Boler Mountain, the competition challenges teams to design, build and race toboggans featuring concrete sliding surfaces. Students are evaluated on design excellence, project management, safety criteria, team spirit and overall performance.

Often referred to as “T-Bog,” the UBC Okanagan team delivered a standout performance across both technical and race categories. Their King of the Hill victory marked the culmination of nearly a year of design development, structural testing and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Owen Kirk, a fifth-year Civil Engineering student and team captain, says the King of the Hill title was a moment the team had worked toward all year.

“Winning King of the Hill for UBCO for the first time in 12 years was an amazing experience,” explains Kirk. “Seeing the toboggan go down the hill for the first time after 10 or 11 long months of hard work and dedication just can’t be described. To then see it go down against other teams really makes you proud of what you and your teammates have accomplished.”

“Our frame, steering and brakes all won Best Design awards this year at the competition. Our concrete team also made big strides in testing new additives in our mixes and utilizing carbon fibre in our ski reinforcement for the first time. Overall, we put together a reliable, innovative and sustainable toboggan that performed on the hill against some of the most amazing toboggans I’ve seen.”

“This experience has taught me so much about time and people management. Bringing together a large group of engineering students and asking them to take time out of their busy schedules to design and build a toboggan is not the most straightforward task, but it has been equally the most stressful and rewarding experience I could have had.”

Kirk plans to graduate this spring. This was his fourth GNCTR competition and his first as team captain.

UBC Okanagan engineering students pose with the trophy after winning the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Competition.

Dr. Ahmad Rteil, Assistant Professor with the School of Engineering, served as faculty advisor to the team.

“The achievement is a result of the students’ work for countless hours, from early design iterations to final race day performance, with high dedication and creativity,” said Rteil. “They applied their engineering knowledge with rigor and demonstrated their exceptional resilience, team spirit and work ethic. I couldn’t be prouder of what they accomplished.”

UBC Okanagan’s Concrete Toboggan team included:

With another podium finish and a King of the Hill title, UBC Okanagan engineering students continue a strong tradition of excellence at the Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race.

Full competition results and details can be found at https://www.gnctr2026.ca.

The Green Construction Research & Training Centre (GCRTC) is pleased to share details of the upcoming Wilden Living Lab workshop, Net Zero Homes – Performance, Challenges, and Solutions, taking place on February 26.

Building on the success of Net Zero Now, this session will present full findings from the Wilden Living Lab’s Next Generation Net Zero Home. Attendees will gain insight into what performed as expected, where challenges emerged, and which solutions are proving most effective for delivering practical, repeatable Net Zero performance in the Okanagan climate.

The workshop offers a research-backed examination of real building data and implementation lessons, supporting industry professionals, researchers, and students advancing high-performance construction practices.

Event Details

Date: This event has been postponed. A new date will be announced shortly.

Time:  8:30am – 3:00pm

Location: Okanagan Golf Club, 3200 Via Centrale, Kelowna

Cost:

• CHBA Members & Non-Members:
  $75 + GST (includes 4 CPD Points)
• Industry, Public & Academics :
  $75 + GST
• Students:
  $40 + GST

Attire: Business casual is recommended
Refreshments: Continental breakfast, morning coffee and tea service, and a lunch buffet will be provided.

Registration is required and space is limited. Registration closes February 23, 2026, or once capacity is reached. Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register for the Wilden Living Lab Workshop