Events from May 29 – March 20 – Digital Nova Scotia – Leading Digital Industry

Hoist North Preston: UX Design

Description What is Hoist? Hoist is a technology club for teens interested in coding, design and entrepreneurship. If you’re between the ages of 12 and 19, and have an interest in startups, technology or coding, then come check it out. Don't forget to bring your laptop and charger. If you do not own a laptop, we do have a limited number available for use. Hoist is typically held on the third Saturday of the month (holidays pending). January Topic: User Experience (UX) Design How do you bring your product to life? How do you build something that people not only want, but need? Learning the art of human-centred design is a necessity in today's digital landscape, where consumers won't settle for anything less than an intuitive digital product. On Saturday, January 25, you will use your creativity and analytical skills to discover a problem, find a solution, and get the idea out of your head and into real life. This workshop is all about putting people in the centre of your design, and having fun while doing it! Presenter: Jillian Hill is the Business Development Lead at 20/20 Experience Design, a boutique UX Design company that helps organizations design and […]

The Creative Kick Freelancers Business Panel

Attention freelancers! Now’s your chance to get all your burning business questions answered by a panel of 5 experts. Armed with sage knowledge aimed exclusively at the creative freelancer market, they will cover topics such as: Getting more clients, figuring out pricing and charging what you’re worth Using social media and other marketing tactics to build your brand What organizations and agencies are looking for in a contractor The ins and outs of contracts and copyright What receipts you should save and other bookkeeping tips Cost $15/$10 student Get my Ticket

An Introduction to Deep Learning with Neural Networks

Join us and the Acadia Institute for Data Analytics on January 29th for a morning workshop and hands-on introduction to developing predictive models using deep learning artificial neural networks. Dr. Danny Silver and Dr. Andy McIntyre will share a high-level overview of the key elements of neural networks and deep learning, and recent advances that allow deep networks to solve challenging problems. Participants will get a hands-on experience and build their own deep models using prepared software (Keras and Tensorflow). Programming or coding experience is not a requirement for participants, as all code needed will be provided, however some programming experience will help! For this workshop, please bring a laptop with the latest version of the Chrome browser, and a Google account for using Google Drive. If you need one provided, please let us know in advance! Anyone who is interested in this session must register by January 24th and complete a short study prior to the workshop (which we will send you). About the Facilitators  Dr. Danny Silver Director, Acadia Institute for Data Analytics Professor, Jodrey School of Computer Science at Acadia University Danny is a professor in, and a former Director of, the Jodrey School of Computer Science at […]

Halifax Unity Dev Meetup

Details Hey all! Our very first meetup ever will be taking place on Jan 29th from 6 pm to 8 pm at Volta inside the Volta Classroom in downtown Halifax, this event will be officially sponsored by both Unity and the ISNS. As this is the first meetup of many, this will be a bit of an unstructured meet and greet. Feel free to come and go, but I'll probably try to do official introductions/kick off around 6:30. No topic of discussion or project is too big, or too small as long as it's related to Unity! Several artists, designers and programmers from studios in HRM will be in attendance as well as ISNS members in general. If anyone has questions or needs more info feel free to reach out to me. I'd also highly encourage joining the discord channel to get the discussion pre-warmed! https://discord.gg/GgTMkXz I look forward to meeting everyone! Attend

NSCC Tech Connection 2020

Details An opportunity for our IT students to connect with Industry partners. Day includes workshops,panel discussions and portfolio reviews. For information or to book a table contact [email protected]   RegisterAn opportunity for our IT students to connect with Industry partners. Day includes workshops,panel discussions and portfolio reviews. For information or to book a table contact [email protected]

Regional Forum on Closing the Gender Gap in Digital Workplaces: Building the Talent Pipeline for Women

There is one woman for every four men in digital workplaces in Canada. This gender gap adversely affects our ability to compete in the knowledge economy and contributes to the ongoing chronic shortage of skilled labour in this sector. Join Women in Communications and Technology and co-host Dalhousie University as experts explore winning strategies that help close the gender gap. This summit will focus on talent development from high school to advanced education and early career attraction and retention of women. We will discuss real world case studies that include tested solutions. Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) is the only national  organization with community chapters across Canada dedicated to keeping a persistent focus on the under-representation of women in digital industries. This event is one of three regional summits being held across Canada that will contribute to a roadmap for improved inclusion of women in the sector. Join us to meet the experts and learn about innovative strategies that can help you attract women and diversify your talent pipeline. #upthenumbers This event is one of three regional summits funded by the Department of Women and Gender Equality.   When: January 30, 2020 Where: Dalhousie University Goldberg Computer Science Building - […]

Global Game Jam 2020 at Volta

Description Ready to Jam? #LetsJamHFX For the seventh year in a row, Volta is Halifax's jam site for Global Game Jam! Global Game Jam will be a weekend full of game creation, design and prototyping. Get ready to jam! When is the Global Game Jam? The Halifax GGJ will start at 5pm on January 31stand goes for ~48 hours through to February 2nd. Site Hours Volta will be open as a workspace for Global Game Jam particpants during the following times : - Friday, January 31, 5:00pm to 10:00pm - Saturday, February 1, 8:00am to 10:00pm - Sunday, February 2, 8:00am to 6:00pm Food will be provided during this event. What is a Game Jam? The goal is to come together and make a videogame, or non-digital game like a board game or card game. Participants rapidly prototype game designs and inject new ideas to help grow the gaming industry. All GGJ sites share a common theme and constraints. The theme will be revealed on the Friday evening (January 31) and all games created are based on that theme. Participants will be asked to create the game from beginning to end in a prescribed time (maximum of 48 hours). The brief […]

Full Day Teacher Training: Halifax

Description *Each teacher who attends, will recieve one free micro:bit to take back to their classroom! In addition, there will be a draw at the end of the day to send three lucky teachers home with a classroom set of micro:bits. This free, full-day workshop provides educators with the tools to explore and learn computational thinking, basic coding and artificial intelligence, while providing ideas for how to bring these into the classroom. Designed for beginners, this workshop demystifies 21st century technology by putting concepts into practice with hands on activities and simple modules that can fit into any lesson plan. Participants will leave with the confidence that they can become creators, not just consumers of technology, and that they can empower their students to do the same. What is Code Create Teach: Teacher Training? Our Code Create Teach program has introduced over 6,700 Canadian teachers to the basics of coding and computational thinking in the classroom. Already leaders in developing algorithmic literacy, Kids Code Jeunesse (KCJ) has enriched its highly successful introductory workshops to meet the challenges of understanding and teaching AI. With the participation of Canadian teachers, our mission is to develop the best teacher training program in the […]

Steps to Patent Your Invention with CIPO

Description Steps to Patent Your Invention with CIPO When: February 5, 2020 from 12pm to 1pm Where: Volta, Lobby Level of the Maritime Centre 1505 Barrington St. Unit 100, Halifax Lunch will be provided! Description: Are you thinking about patenting your invention? This Lunch + Learn will teach you to the ins and outs of the patent process. Upfront preparations and precautions will be discussed, so that you are better positioned to file for patent protection when the time comes. About the presenter: Dr. Cecilia Basic joined the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) in April 2019 after serving as Director of IP Management and Technology Transfer at the Florida Institute of Technology. With an extensive technical background, she has practiced intellectual property (IP) management in Canada at the University of Manitoba and the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the United States at Florida Tech, a 2020 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Global University. Cecilia has worked directly with patent and business counsel in the filing of IP protections, and has operated in the chemical, biotech, aerospace, and defence sectors, among many others, including marine. She has also drafted, reviewed, and negotiated contracts, including corporate research agreements, NDAs, material transfer agreements and licenses, […]

Ladies Learning Code

Description Why learn about AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are all around us - from Siri on your iPhone and Google Map suggestions, to recommendations for purchases during your Amazon check-out. While many of us may think AI and machine learning mean more robots and self-driving cars, at a fundamental level, they are about data - and ways to make meaning of data. In this workshop, we’ll use a hands-on approach to learn how to put data to use for us in our everyday lives. During the session, you’ll learn the following: An introduction to the history of artificial intelligence and machine learning, what they mean and why it matters An introduction to data and strategies for collection, preparation, manipulation and analysis of data An introduction to machine learning models and predictive data Build your very own machine learning model to evaluate data that’s interesting to you What resources are available if you’d like to continue learning at home (and we think you will), as well as career opportunities available in the fields of AI and machine learning Who is this for? Our Ladies Learning Code workshops offer female-identified and male-identified, trans, and non-binary adults hands-on, project-based learning […]

Opportunities for Cape Breton Start-Ups

TecSocial Help us kick off our 2020 season of TecSocial on Thursday, February 6. Come hear from Habreet Singh, former senior business manager at Amazon, who recently moved from Seattle to Sydney, as he shares some of his experiences working on product launches with the tech giant. Thursday, February 6, 2020 5:15 pm – 7:15 pm Holiday Inn Sydney 300 Esplanade Sydney  TecSocial is a monthly meeting for those with an interest in technology and entrepreneurship. It is a free event and open to the public. You’re Invited: Winter Social With all the snow this winter, we want to help you get out and make the most of it. Join us on Tuesday, February 18, at Ski Ben Eoin for a networking ski event. If you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, don’t worry – we’ve booked lessons and everything is included – all you have to do is dress for the weather. If you aren’t up for hitting the slopes, then please join us for some snacks in the Broken Buckle. Tuesday, February 18, 2020 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Ski Ben Eoin 5101 NS-4 Ben Eoin Please RSVP to Holly at [email protected], and indicate if you require ski or snowboard […]

Intro to the SR&ED Program

Description An Intro to The Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program When: February 12, 2020 from 12pm to 1pm Where: Volta, Lobby Level of the Maritime Centre 1505 Barrington St. Unit 100, Halifax Lunch will be provided! Description: Have you heard about the Scientific Research & Experimental Development Tax Credit Program? The program uses tax incentives to encourage Canadian businesses of all sizes and in all sectors to conduct research and development in Canada. On February 12, join us for a Lunch + Learn with Paul Farmer, as he explains the program and how it can help your company. He will explain everything from project categories, how the CRA defines an SR&ED project (versus an R&D project), eligibility criteria, what costs can be claimed, filing due dates, what needs to be submitted, and CRA’s processing timelines. About the presenter: Paul Farmer With more than 25 years experience with the SR&ED program (including five years at the CRA reviewing claims), Paul is recognized as an expert in preparing and defending SR&ED claims. Paul’s extensive experience and in-depth knowledge enables him to successfully claim millions of dollars in annual tax credits for client companies involved in: Telecommunication Manufacturing Software and Application Development Internet, eCommerce and Social Media […]