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