Session A 9:30am - 10:30am

  • A1An Introduction to Offshore Oil & Gas
  • A2How an Oil Refinery Works
  • A3An Introduction to Wind and Solar Energy
  • A4Tidal Power: Waves of the Future
  • A5The Science of Heat Pumps & Geothermal Energy
  • A6The Ultimate Garden
  • A7The Nova Scotia Museum: A Presence throughout the Province
  • A8Ghosts, Spirits and the Paranormal
  • A9History, where is Mystory?
  • A10Homosexuality Issues in Your Classroom…
  • A11So, you think you want to be an Administrator?
  • A12Goethe Institut: Transatlantic Outreach Program: Study Tours of Germany
  • A13Mental Health Issues in our Elementary Classrooms today
  • A14Naturopathy and You
  • A15Using Critical Thinking Challenges to Teach History and Citizenship
  • A16Engaging your Students with Veterans Affairs Learning Resources
  • A17Information Technology and the Law
  • New! A18Environmental Education Resources
  • A19Bank of Canada: Protecting our Economy!
  • A20Effective Investment Strategies for Teachers
  • A21Dotting the “i’s” and Cross the “t’s” …You and School Trips – How to Prepare?
  • A22"Cool Classrooms" Outreach Program (Gr.P-6)
  • A23"Government is Us”
  • A24Debating: An old, but effective, method in the classroom
  • New! A25Introduction to GIS

    • A1: An Introduction to Offshore Oil & Gas:

    EnCana- Lori MacLean

    This session will look at the gas and oil future of Nova Scotia. Sable has been a major player in Nova Scotia’s offshore oil and gas exploration. What has this meant for Nova Scotia? What awaits in the future? This session will provide you with an excellent background into this incredible natural resource. (All Grade Levels)

    A2: How an Oil Refinery Works:

    Exxon Mobil- Merle McIssac

    This is an overview of the processes involved in oil refining. This workshop will take you through the daily operation of an oil refinery from the point that the crude oil arrives until the gas and oil are taken by truck from the refinery. This is an excellent preparation for the oil refinery tour session in Session C. (Elementary and Junior High)

    A3: An Introduction to Wind and Solar Energy:

    Luciano Lisi CFO-Cape Breton Exploration Ltd. / NS Power- David McLaughlin

    This session is a general discussion on how energy is generated from the wind and the sun. With tremendous interest in wind energy in Nova Scotia today along with the development of windmill farms, teachers should find this session very useful in gaining a greater understanding of how this technology is being utilized to provide energy to our homes and schools. This is an excellent preparation for the windmill tour session available in Session C. (Elementary and Junior High)

    A4: Tidal Power: Waves of the Future:

    Minas Basin Pulp & Power -John Woods Vice President Energy Development

    This is one of the sessions will focus on alternative sources of energy available today. This workshop will examine how tides and waves generate energy. What are the geographical and scientific principles at work and how this energy makes it into our homes? (Senior High)

    A5: The Science of Heat Pumps & Geothermal Energy:

    Advanced Energy Systems -Mark MacCormack

    More and more people are seeking alternative sources of energy to release them from the reliance of oil to heat their homes. The use of heat pumps and geothermal energy has emerged in the past decade as one way to do this. This session will examine how these systems work and how t

    A6: The Ultimate Garden

    John Heukshorst

    With the worsening economy and higher costs, this past summer has seen a burst of interest in home gardens. This session will explore the whole concept of gardening as an energy saver in your backyard. This session will examine the do’s and don’ts in creating your own garden and will provide you with an excellent background in horticulture techniques. (All grade/subject levels)

    A7: The Nova Scotia Museum: A Presence throughout the Province

    Jasmine Marshall

    This year, the Nova Scotia Museum will have a large presence at our Conference. This session will focus on a number of museum sites throughout the province, many of which offer excellent virtual and hands-on/experiential
    resources for Social Studies teachers. An exciting presentation that could prove very useful in identifying resources and classroom trips or outings. (All grade/subject levels)

    A8: Ghosts, Spirits and the Paranormal

    Kelly Muise

    Are you afraid of things that go bump in the night? Are you afraid of the unknown? The Future? Kelley Muise has been reading tarot cards, conducting psychic readings for many years. She will be discussing the methods she uses to foretell the future of her hundreds of clients. As well, she will reflect on various legends and traditions surrounding the paranormal that she has encountered over the years. (All grade/subject levels)

    A9: History, where is Mystory?

    Jude Gerrard

    Take a walk through 13,000 years of untold history. When Columbus “discovered” the Americas, First Nations had been living on this land for thousands of years. Discover how, long before the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and Stonehenge, and the invention of the wheel, First Nations  have been living on this land, forging well over 500 distinct cultures and hundreds of languages. Join with other participants in a walk back through time, learning the other side of history, the side not taught, and participate in a smudging ceremony and talking circle. (All grade/subject levels)

    A10: CHANGE: Homosexuality Issues in Your Classroom…

    Darren Cummings

    Over the past year, Darren has prepared an incredible resource for teachers to better understand, empathize with and support homosexual students and families. This session examines this resource and provides educators with a very rich background into this challenge facing teachers in our classrooms today. (Applicable to all grade/subject levels)

    A11: So, you think you want to be an Administrator?

    Derek Lesser & Brent Jamieson

    Do you really want to be an administrator? Do you have what it takes? This informal workshop will be led by two early career administrators from a large high school in Nova Scotia. They will share with you some of the issues they had to deal with the skills needed to get staff on side and to build a strong team environment in a staff; how to deal with difficult parents and students; how to work with senior administrators and older staff members; etc. Teachers and administrators are welcome to share their experiences and to work together in as very relaxed informal atmosphere. (Applicable to all teachers)

    A12: Goethe Institut: Transatlantic Outreach Program: Study Tours of Germany

    Experience is what the Transatlantic Outreach Program is all about. Since 2001, TOP has sought to find the best and most qualified Social Studies educators and give them the opportunity to experience Modern Germany in the most dramatic way possible: in person. From Berlin to Frankfurt, from Stuttgart to Munich, from Hamburg to Kiel, from Dresden to Schwerin, and from Weimar to Leipzig, each corner of Germany is sampled.
    The Transatlantic Outreach Program (TOP) uses Modern Germany as a basis of comparison and contrast to internationalize Social Studies curriculum as well as to provide international exposure to Social Studies educators in the United States and Canada.
    TOP sends Social Studies educators to Germany every summer on study tours, exposing them to the government and education systems, large and small businesses, and various examples of culture. Upon completion of the study tour, educators are asked to write a unit of learning as well as conduct two in-service training workshops. (All Grade Levels)

    A13: Mental Health Issues in our Elementary Classrooms today.

    Canadian Mental Health Association

    This session will explore the different kinds of mental health issues our students face each day in our classroom. The presentation will inform us of what signs should we be looking for; how do we respond; what supports are in place, etc. This is a practical informative workshop on recognizing mental health issues and how to respond to them in an elementary classroom. (Elementary)

    A14: Naturopathy and You

    Dr. Jennifer Doyle

    What is naturopathy? This session will explore naturopathy and the very important place it holds in natural healing today. Dr. Doyle will examine this alternative medicine and explain why it has become so popular with teachers today. (Applicable to all teachers)

    A15: Using Critical Thinking Challenges to Teach History and Citizenship

    Debbie Jiang – National Archives of Canada

    Learn about recent educational resources developed by the Critical Thinking Consortium for Library and Archives Canada. Discover our new websites and teaching tools on Canada’s Prime Ministers, the Canadian State, Canadian Immigration, Fakes and Forgeries and the Northwest Mounted Police. Units include multiple critical questions, culminating activities, teacher notes, graphic organizers, related books and online resources and evaluation rubrics.
    (Elementary, Junior High & Senior High)

    A16: Engaging your Students with Veterans Affairs Learning Resources

    Alan Banman

    This hands-on, interactive workshop will help you learn about Veteran Affairs Canada's classroom-ready learning materials. We will explore our Veterans’ Week packages, rich Web site and our many other interesting free resources, tools and ideas to help Nova Scotia teachers meet their provincial social studies curriculum goals. With these resources, you can help your students learn more about the achievements of those who served and the lasting importance of Remembrance. (Elementary, Junior High & Senior High)

    A17: Information Technology and the Law

    Public Legal Education

    The proliferation of information technology throughout the world and in our lives has required that the law adapt in ways that stretch the ability of it to offer traditional protection in cyberspace. This presentation will consider some of the issues associated with this such as protecting personal identity and property. (Elementary, Junior High & Senior High)

    A18: NEW: Environmental Education Resources

    Helen Smith - Program Coordinator - Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps

    Every day we see something related to the environment in the news, and youth are becoming increasingly concerned for, and interested about, the environment. This presentation will provide ideas for using environmental education to reach core curriculum objectives.  A brief up-date on Nova Scotia Environments Environment Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, and where to find additional environmental education resources will be provided. (Elementary, Junior & Senior High)

    A19: Bank of Canada: Protecting our Economy!

    Alan Pacquet

    Allan Pacquet is a senior analyst with the Bank of Canada. He will be presenting on the role of that the Bank of Canada plays in Canada’s economy. As well, he will be discussing challenges facing the Central Bank in areas of interest rates, counterfeiting, and inflation. Some of their new teacher resources will also be available. (Elementary, Junior High & Senior High)

    A20: Effective Investment Strategies for Teachers

    Neil Rogers

    With today’s harsh economic realities and shrinking pension plans, teachers are becoming more and more nervous as their retirement’s loom. Are they prepared? How much will they need? And, what sort of things should they be investing into right now to better prepare. This session will give you an insight into the world of investing, including portfolio management and risk versus return. You won’t want to miss it. (Applicable to all teachers)

    A21: Dotting the “i’s” and Cross the “t’s” …You and School Trips – How to Prepare?

    Wally/Sarah Fiander

    This session focuses on planning for school trips whether it be to the local museum, out of town, out of province and even out of the country. The presenters have taken many local, provincial and international trips over their careers. This session will discuss the “dos and don’ts” in planning trips. They will discuss everything from fund-raising to parental involvement to discipline.
    (Elementary, Junior High & Senior High)

    A22: "Cool Classrooms" Outreach Program (Gr.P-6)

    Rebecca McQuaid

    Attention elementary teachers:  FREE RESOURCE! The Climate Change Centre, a program of Clean Nova Scotia, is pleased to offer more information on our interactive, curriculum-linked "Cool Classrooms" Outreach Program. It includes: an optional pre-presentation activity, 30-60 min presentation by staff at the Climate Change Centre, and booklet of teacher-led follow-up activities. (Elementary & Junior High)

    A23: "Government is Us”

    Eve Burns

    In 2008, we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the first representative government in this country, in NS. Come to a workshop about how the institutions of democracy work and should work. This workshop covers the basics of how parliamentary democracy works, and shows women just how easy and rewarding it is to become involved in the political process. Presentation is sponsored by Equal Voice, a multi-partisan organization working to elect more women. (Elementary, Junior High & Senior High)

    A24: Debating: An old, but effective, method in the classroom

    John Filliter – The Nova Scotia Debating Association

    This workshop is designed to introduce teachers to the student-centred teaching technique of educational debate. Among the skills that students can acquire through debating are analysis, research, editing, organization, critical thinking, persuasive speaking, teamwork and problem-solving. The basic rules, formats and procedures of debate and roles of moderators, timers and judges will be explored. (Applicable to all teachers)

    NEW - A25: Introduction to GIS

    Jean Tong – ESRI Canada

    Geographic information system (GIS) technology is becoming widely used as a teaching tool in many Social classrooms.  This hands-on session will introduce you to GIS, the benefits of teaching using this technology, how it applies in the curriculum, and how you can begin using it today at various grade levels.  GIS can transform computers in schools in to sites of geographic exploration where students can manipulate, analyze, and present information about places near and far. (Elementary, Junior High & Senior High)