Attend Super Conference October 20-21, 2017
Vancouver, BC
Registration is now OPEN.
Register early to save your spot!
Registration for Super Conference includes:
- Two full days overflowing with interactive, inspirational and highly applicable professional learning opportunities created by 25 BC PSAs.
- Over 30 remarkable keynote presentations on big ideas from every subject area, brain research, digital literacy, inclusion, and more.
- Your choice from hundreds of sessions offered in a variety of formats, including lectures and hands-on learning opportunities presented at Vancouver Convention Centre East, Pan Pacific Vancouver, Telus World of Science, and Stanley Park Ecology Society.
- Access to a massive Exhibitors Hall featuring the latest educational products and services.
- Unlimited networking opportunities with nearly 6,000 BC educators and education.
- Optional one-year membership to the PSA of your choice (additional charge).
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Spotlight Keynote
Rooted In Place: Transforming Education Through STEM Learning Ecosystems Environmental Connections
Within one generation, on the order of 80% of jobs will require literacy in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Meeting this demand represents a huge educational challenge. However, a great opportunity now exists to support teachers, says Scott Sampson—not through the addition of more STEM provider organizations, but rather via deep, cross-sector collaboration. In this presentation, Sampson describes an emerging movement known as “STEM learning ecosystems,” which leverage the assets of multiple partners to scale impact and provide the support necessary to boost scientific literacy. Three elements are key: 1) a dramatic increase in the number of STEM mentors (both teachers and community experts); 2) networking of these mentors within their local communities; and 3) a digital portal that serves as both resource library and social platform. Sampson will also unveil plans for Canada’s first STEAM learning ecosystem (the “A” added for Art & Design), which will be based right here in British Columbia.
Target Audience
Applicable to all (e.g. K-12)
Scott Sampson
Scott Sampson is a dinosaur paleontologist, science communicator, and passionate advocate for reimagining cities as places where people and nature thrive. He has published numerous scientific and popular articles, and regularly speaks to audiences of all ages on topics ranging from dinosaurs and education to sustainability and connecting kids with nature. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Science World British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Scott has appeared in many television documentaries and served as a science advisor for a variety of media projects, most recently the BBC movie, Walking With Dinosaurs. He has also authored multiple books for children and adults, including Dinosaur Odyssey: Fossil Threads in the Web of Life, and How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature. He is perhaps best known, however, as “Dr. Scott,” host and science advisor of the Emmy-nominated PBS KIDS television series Dinosaur Train, produced by the Jim Henson Company.
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Article
Combating fake news with critical literacy tools for the 21st century
by Ron Darvin
Fake news has become a catch-all term for everything from hoaxes to conspiracy theories and junk science. Sadly, it has also become a term to refer to news that people just don’t want to hear or don’t agree with. In this “post-truth” world, it becomes easier for us to rely on what feels right, rather than to figure out what is right, and emotions rather than facts can shape public opinion.
Simply defined however fake news is fabricated, deceptive or distorted information meant to mislead the public. It has consequences and important implications for whom we elect, the laws we pass, and the kinds of choices we make in our lives. Without the right critical tools, our students can become not only victims of fake news, but also promoters of it by indiscriminately sharing things online.
Fake news isn’t new. Since the invention of the printing press and the camera, fake news about everything from sea monsters to dancing fairies has been designed to fool people. With technology however, it’s become a lot easier for people to create subtly deceptive stories, imitate news formats, and distribute them to a general public. Motivations for fake news can be political or personal. Others do it to get their five minutes of fame; while for some, fake news is a business. Digital ads generate profits, and websites with sensational fake news are paid for every click that they get.
How can we help students detect fake news when they read stuff online? It’s important to arm them with critical literacy strategies that let them pay attention to verbal and visual clues. This includes examining URLs or domain names, Twitter handles, logos, writing styles, and webpage design. Critical readers in the 21st century need to read not just horizontally by scrolling down, but laterally, that is, by opening tabs and googling sources.
Parents need to recognize that kids of this generation have two worlds: offline and online. If before, they’d ask their child “How was school today?” now they also have to learn more about their child's online lives. What have they seen on Snapchat or Instagram? Anything interesting they’ve read on Buzzfeed? To role model critical literacy, parents need to understand, themselves, how information is disseminated on the internet, and to socialize their children into recognizing legitimate sources of information.
Short Schedule
Schedule At A Glance
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Friday 7:00-10:00 am
Registration
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Friday 7:00 am-4:30 pm
Exhibition Hall
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Friday 9:00-10:15 am
Session A
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Friday 10:00 am-3:30 pm
Help Desk
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Friday 10:45 am-12:00 pm
Session B
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Friday 12:30-1:45 pm
Session C
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Friday 2:15-3:30 pm
Session D
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Friday 3:45-5:00 pm
PSA AGMs, Award Ceremonies, etc.
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Friday 6:30-10:30 pm
Social Event @ Telus World of Science
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Keynotes
Workshops
Location
Vancouver Convention Centre East Pan Pacific Vancouver Science World Stanley Park Dining Pavilion
Vancouver Convention Centre East
Address
Vancouver Convention Centre East
1055 Canada Pl
Vancouver, BC
V6C 0C3
Canada
http://www.vancouverconventioncentre.com/
Registration Fees
Please note: Due to the low registration cost (less than most 1-day conferences) we are unable to offer a one day rate.
BCTF
Members
$150.00
NON-BCTF Members
$190.00
Student Teachers
$75.00
Optional join/renew your PSA membership (at extra cost) as part of the registration process.
Important Dates
| Middle of April | Registration opens |
| October 15 @ Noon | Registration closes |
| October 20-21 | Super Conference events |
Social Event
- Friday, October 20, 6:30-10:30 pm
- Doors open at 6 pm
- $12 per ticket
- Telus World of Science - 1455 Quebec Street - Vancouver, BC - V6A 3Z7
An opportunity to explore the Science World galleries, relax, socialize with you colleagues and more importantly, have fun! Purchase a ticket for this event when you register for the conference.
- Live band
- Presentations
- Hor d'oeuvres
- One drink ticket included
- Cash Bar
Lodging
Hotel 1 - Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel
- Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel - 1133 West Hastings Street - Vancouver, BC, V6E 3T3
- Book your room with your special conference rate
- 1 844 337 3118
Hotel 2 - Pan Pacific Vancouver
- Pan Pacific Vancouver - Suite 300-999 - Canada Place Vancouver, BC - V6C 3B5
- https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-resorts/canada/vancouver.html
- 1 800 663 1515
A special conference rate is available at the Pan Pacific hotel. The rates are:
| Deluxe Room | $219/night + taxes SOLD OUT |
| Deluxe Harbour View Room | $249/night + taxes SOLD OUT |
All available rooms are currently booked. Contact the hotel directly to be added to the waitlist. We are trying to get more rooms released. There are also plenty of other hotels close to the conference site.
About
Super Conference is a celebration of the BC Teachers' Federations' (BCTF) hundredth year. It is the collaborative effort of 25 Provincial Specialist Associations (PSAs) to host 6000 participants, hundreds of workshops, over 30 keynotes, and over 275 presenters in downtown Vancouver. This amazing conference would not be possible without the extraordinary teachers who volunteer outside of their regular work to be an executive member on the following PSAs:
- Aboriginal Education Association (AEA)
- Association of Educators of Gifted, Talented, and Creative Children in BC (AEGTCCBC)
- Association provincial des professeurs d’immersion et du programme francophone (APPIPC)
- BC Art Teachers' Association (BCATA)
- BC Association of Teachers of Modern Languages (BCATML)
- BC Business Education Association (BCBEA)
- BC Cooperative Learning Association (BCCLA)
- BC Culinary Arts Specialist Association (BCCASA)
- BC Dance Educators' Association (BCDEA)
- BC Early Career Teachers’ Association (BCECTA)
- BC Educators for Distributed Learning PSA (BCEDL)
- BC Primary Teachers' Association (BCPTA)
- BC Rural and Multigrade Teachers’ Association (BCRMTA)
- BC School Counsellors' Association (BCSCA)
- BC Science Teachers’ Association (BCScTA)
- BC Teacher-Librarians' Association (BCTLA)
- BC Teachers for Peace & Global Education (PAGE BC)
- BC Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (BC TESOL)
- BC Technology Education Association (BCTEA)
- Computer-Using Educators of BC (CUEBC)
- Environmental Educators’ PSA (EEPSA)
- Learning Assistance Teachers' Association (LATA)
- Middle Years and Provincial Intermediate Teachers’ Association (myPITA)
- Teachers of Home Economics Specialist Association (THESA)
- Teachers of Inclusive Education (TIE-BC)
Contact Us
| General Inquiries and Information | info@psasuperconference.ca |
| Registration | Sophie Bergeron @ registration@psasuperconference.ca |
| Exhibitors | Paula Aquino @ exhibitors@psasuperconference.ca |
| Presenters | Heather Daly @ program@psasuperconference.ca The program is already full. We are not looking for more workshops or speakers. |
Policies
Delegate Cancellation Policy
- Up to October 3rd, 2017 - Full Refund less $15.00 Processing Fee
- After October 3rd, 2017 - No Refund
BCTF Code of Ethics
All attendees are expected to observe the BCTF Code of Ethics.
Sessions and Keynotes Policy
- There is no pre registration for sessions and keynotes. The first come, first served principle applies. Attendees must observe instructions provided by the instructor/speaker or event staff.
- Rooms are limited by the official published capacities. Standing and sitting in the aisle is not permitted due to fire regulations.
Media Policy
- No video of keynotes. Video of break out presenters only with explicit permission of the presenter.
- By registering to attend Superconference 2017, you grant permission to the Superconference 2017 Committee to take and use your photo in Superconference 2017 marketing and promotional pieces for an indefinite period of time. Marketing and promotional pieces include, but are not limited to, printed brochures, reports, postcards, flyers, and materials, as well as online uses such as postings on the Superconference 2017 and BCTF websites, online newsletters, and e-mail blasts. The Superconference 2017 committee shall own all rights, including copyrights in and to the photos.
If you have any questions about these four policies, please contact info@psasuperconference.ca.
Privacy Policy
Collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information, and your privacy consent
- The British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) is committed to both protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information and to complying with British Columbia’s Personal Information Protection Act. Your personal information is collected because it is needed for Superconference 2017 registration, PSA membership and subscription records. It makes it possible to identify you, send publications, and communicate with you as a conference delegate, PSA member or subscriber. The BCTF also uses this information to confirm your eligibility for services, to comply with various legal and regulatory requirements, to provide services to you, and to conduct research.
- Your credit card or other financial information will not be disclosed, and the BCTF, including the Superconference 2017 committee, will not otherwise disclose your personal information without your permission, except as required or authorized by law. Appropriate security measures are employed to ensure only authorized individuals have access to your personal information. By completing this form, you are providing your consent for the BCTF, including the Superconfernece 2017 Committee, to collect, use, and disclose your personal information in the manner identified above.
- If you have any questions about the Privacy Policy, please contact the BCTF’s privacy officer at 604-871-2283 or toll-free at 1-800-663-9163, privacy@bctf.ca.