CATCA 2025: Full Schedule

9:00am MST

EcoSchools in Alberta: A Curriculum Linked Framework for Environmental and Climate Action

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST

Are you an educator in Alberta passionate about integrating environmental, climate, and sustainability action into your school curriculum? Join the Alberta Council for Environmental Education for a workshop that focuses on the EcoSchools Canada certification program—a curriculum-linked framework designed to empower students, educators, and schools to take meaningful environmental and climate action. Discover practical strategies, resources, and best practices for implementing EcoSchools in your educational setting and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the curriculum connections that the EcoSchools program provides
- Understand the interdisciplinary potential of the ecoSchools program
- Sign up on the ECA platform and create and EcoAction Plan

Speakers

Alberta Council for Environmental Education

Environmental Education and Engagement Coordinator, Alberta Council for Environmental Education

Our mission at ACEE is to work collaboratively to advance environmental education in Alberta, with a focus on empowering young people to become environmental stewards. We believe that educating today’s youth is the key to creating a sustainable future for Alberta and beyond.As Northern... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MST
RDP Room AC160 (Arts Centre)

9:00am MST

NCCP Community Coach Certification

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 11:20am MST

École Secondaire Notre Dame High School Classroom 1201

I would like to offer NCCP Community Sport Certification Course. Attendees would gain their Community Sport Certification and be eligible to go to the next level of certification for their sport. Attendees MUST HAVE (i) an account created on the locker - thelocker.coach.ca/ and (ii) a NCCP number and (iii) will need to bring a LAPTOP with them as well to answer questions on Google Form after sections have been presented / discussed.

Speakers

Ian Rattan

Notre Dame PE Teacher

Thursday February 20, 2025 9:00am - 11:20am MST
École Secondaire Notre Dame High School Classroom 1201 50 Lees St, Red Deer, AB T4R 2P6, Canada

11:40am MST

Game On! Teaching K-6 Computer Science with MakeCode Arcade

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 2601

Discover how to bring the new K-6 Computer Science curriculum to life through engaging game development projects using MakeCode Arcade! In this hands-on session, educators will explore the basics of game design and coding, all while aligning with key curriculum outcomes. No prior experience in coding or game development is required—participants will learn how to guide students in creating their own pixelated games using an intuitive, block-based coding platform. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and lesson ideas to inspire creativity and computational thinking in your classroom.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All attendees must have a laptop for this session as we will be building a game together.

Speakers

Scott Blenkhorne

Scott Blenkhorne is currently a Specialist with the Teaching and Learning with Technology team at the Calgary Board of Education and has been an educator for the past 17 years, teaching Math, Science, and Computer Science to students from grades 6 - 12. He learned how to code websites... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 11:40am - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2601

Science (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6) | Technology (TQS/LQS 2), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6) | Career & Technology Studies/Foundations (TQS 3), Division 1 (Gr 1-3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6)

2:20pm MST

Running an esports option class

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST

RDP Room 2302

Over the past two years I have ran an esports option class, where there have been several bumps along the way. During this session I will share some of the things that have worked and some of the things that have failed.

Speakers

Michael Saretzky

Teacher

I am currently a teacher with Red Deer Catholic, teaching grade 8. I have been teaching for almost 20 years, with stops in Fox Creek and Hinton. I have recently completed my Masters in Educational Technology, through UBC. More recently I have delved into the world of esports in the... Read More →

Thursday February 20, 2025 2:20pm - 3:20pm MST
RDP Room 2302

Career & Technology Studies/Foundations (TQS 3), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6) | Technology (TQS/LQS 2), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6)

9:00am MST

In the International Kitchen with Jeff & Kimi-FULL

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 3:30pm MST

Ecole Secondaire Notre Dame Food Lab 1515

Come and join us in the kitchen for a day of international cooking. Join with a friend or be ready to make a new ones while we cook some international delights including:
- Homemade Ramen with handmade noodles and garnishes
- Authentic chicken curry with rice & samosas
- Parisian gnocchi with vodka sauce
- Pavlova and fresh berries

The class will run from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at Notre Dame High School - 50 Lees Street, Red Deer AB.

The menu is subject to change without notice due to ingredient availability.

You are encouraged to bring take out containers for leftovers.
There will be breaks to eat and visit. You will not need to bring lunch!

Thank you! This session is FULL and all paid participants have been accounted for.

Speakers

Jeff Lerouge

Career Pathways Teacher, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

I've taught high school culinary arts for over 15 years and have been fortunate to travel with my family as well as students on numerous tours and cultural exchanges. I love to taste and travel and would never pass up a great risotto! I truly believe in pushing students to try new... Read More →

Kimi Abreu

Long time teacher with a love for cooking. Looking forward to working with Jeff again to deliver this international cooking class; I am happy to continue to share my cultural dishes.

Friday February 21, 2025 9:00am - 3:30pm MST
Ecole Secondaire Notre Dame Food Lab 1515

11:40am MST

Artemis Generation - Using Space Exploration to Inspire ANY Classroom!

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST

RDP Room 2301

CSA Astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, is part of the Artemis II mission and will be the first Canadian to travel around the moon! Come and learn about a variety of Canadian contributions to space exploration and how you can inspire future Artemis astronauts to help us get a maple leaf on the Moon! Amanda Green is a CSA Canadian Space Ambassador and will share all of the resources already out there and can show you how to connect space exploration to a variety of STEM subjects like; environmental science, plants, energy and electricity, coding and technology, Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, & so much more! Amanda primarily focuses on Junior High (both in English and French), but has many ideas you can use with students of all ages.

Speakers

Amanda Green

Teacher, Science Council

Amanda's spark for science ignited at an early age exploring nature with her family and grew into a flame for space exploration as she followed Canada's journey skyward. She teaches Junior High STEM classes in both English and French in Beaumont, Alberta. Alongside her colleague Julie... Read More →

Friday February 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:40pm MST
RDP Room 2301

Technology (TQS/LQS 2), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6) | Career & Technology Studies/Foundations (TQS 3), Division 3 (Gr 7-9), Division 2 (Gr 4-6)

1:00pm MST

Coding for Climate - Using Microbits to Teach about Energy and Sustainability

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST

RDP Room 2301

Micro:bits are little pocket-sized computers packed with infinite possibilities! Come and see how to use this powerful tool to build engaging lessons around sustainability and energy conservation. Amanda Green will show you a variety of projects that focus on energy sources, environmental monitoring and coding for climate change. She will introduce you to InkSmith Climate Action kits and connect you with local energy organizations like Inside Education and the Alberta Emerald Foundation for free resources and potential funding. Amanda primarily focuses on Junior High (both in English and French), but has many ideas you can use with students of all ages. If you would like to try a Microbit please make sure to bring your own laptop or Chromebook.

Speakers

Amanda Green

Teacher, Science Council

Friday February 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MST
RDP Room 2301

Career & Technology Studies/Foundations (TQS 3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9) | Science (TQS 3), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9) | Technology (TQS/LQS 2), Division 2 (Gr 4-6), Division 4 (Gr 10-12), Division 3 (Gr 7-9)