Catalyst Conference 2026

Event Dates: October 23, 2026 (Catalyst runs October 22–24; Switch Classroom sessions are on the 23rd)

Location: Grandview Heights Secondary, Surrey, BC & Online via Zoom

Event Description:

Switch Classroom will present at Catalyst 2026, the British Columbia Science Teachers’ Association’s annual professional learning conference, held at Grandview Heights Secondary in Surrey, BC, and online via Zoom. Presentations take place on Friday, October 23.

Switch Classroom will present five sessions, in-person and virtual:

• Power Up! Build & Test Batteries With Everyday Electrolytes
  Room 113 | In-Person | 10:00–11:00 AM
  Participants build simple batteries and test electrolytes to determine how effectively they power an LED, analyzing patterns in charge flow and voltage. Adaptable for middle years and secondary science classrooms.

• Zap! Squish! Light It Up! Teaching Play-Doh Circuits
  Room 113 | In-Person | 12:30–1:30 PM
  Using colourful Play-Doh, LEDs, and batteries, participants explore Switch Classroom’s Intro to Electricity lesson, investigating conductivity, resistance, and series versus parallel circuits. Designed for upper elementary through secondary science classrooms.

• Zap! Squish! Light It Up! Teaching Play-Doh Circuits
  Virtual Room 1 | Virtual | 12:30–1:30 PM
  Presented by Graham Cocksedge
  Using colourful Play-Doh, LEDs, and batteries, participants explore Switch Classroom’s Intro to Electricity lesson, investigating conductivity, resistance, and series versus parallel circuits. Designed for upper elementary through secondary science classrooms.

• Sources to Solutions: Teaching Energy Tradeoffs and Decisions
  Room 113 | In-Person | 2:00–3:00 PM
  Presented by Carrie Antoniazzi
  Participants move from an interactive gallery walk on energy source strengths and limitations to a collaborative scenario-based challenge, determining and justifying the best energy solutions for different communities. Designed for upper elementary through secondary science classrooms.

• Sources to Solutions: Teaching Energy Tradeoffs and Decisions
  Virtual Room 1 | Virtual | 2:00–3:00 PM
  Presented by Graham Cocksedge
  Participants move from an interactive gallery walk on energy source strengths and limitations to a collaborative scenario-based challenge, determining and justifying the best energy solutions for different communities. Designed for upper elementary through secondary science classrooms.

All sessions leave participants with free classroom-ready resources. Sessions are open to registered Catalyst 2026 attendees.