Presented by: Colin Wallace, Erin Lea, Melinda Dewsbury

Audience: Instructional

Description: In this workshop, we will discuss evidence-informed strategies to support students returning to academic life after a concussion that fit naturally into your teaching and administrative workflows. This workshop demystifies the return‑to‑learn process and equips you with practical tools to reduce stress, foster inclusion, and promote academic recovery. 
THIS IS A 2-HOUR SESSION THAT WILL RUN FROM 10:30-11:30 AND RESUME AFTER LUNCH FROM 12:45-1:45

Presented by: Howard Hisdal

Audience: General

Description: Why was unexploded ordnance (UXO), military mortar and artillery shells created in the Vernon area? Where is it? Is it still dangerous? Yes, nine civilians have died. History professor Howard Hisdal has completed four years of historical research for the Federal Department of Justice and the Okanagan Indian Band and will share his findings.

Presented by: Alex Kortzman, Leanne Mallory

Audience: General

Description: Have you ever wanted to create a costume for a character from your favourite movie, television show, novel, game or other media? Cosplay and costuming have become more popular in past decade. It is a fun and enjoyable hobby which draws on artistic and technical skills.

This session will remain open for drop-in during the day.

Presented by: David Williams

Audience: General

Description: Generative AI has been in our lives for nearly four years. Some people use it every day, some have intentionally opted out, and most are somewhere in between. In this session we'll look at where the technology is today so you can decide what, if anything, is worth doing.

Presented by: Jasmine Korčok

Audience: General

Description: Join Jasmine on a birding walk to Fascieux Creek wetland, a natural gem that’s a mere 12-minute walk from OC. We will search for a few species that frequent the wetland, including handsome wood ducks, dashing red-winged blackbirds, and the ubiquitous Northern flicker. Participants will also learn tips on using and choosing binoculars, and see handy apps that enhance the birding experience. BYOB – bring your own binoculars! Note: Should the AQHI rating be high (above 7), this will turn into a classroom session on bird identification for beginners. 

Presented by: Caitlin Hartigan

Audience: General

Description: This interactive workshop explores how confidence is not something you’re born with—it's something you build. Drawing on concepts from skilled trades and leadership practice, participants will learn practical, repeatable techniques to strengthen their confidence, communicate effectively, and show up with presence.

Presented by: Carlyn Young, Ginger Albrecht

Audience: General

Description: Event planning is basically controlled chaos in the best way! Let's chat about: registration, opening remarks, budget reality checks, sponsorships, AV logistics (which always ends up being more complicated than you think), and contingency plans because something will more than likely go sideways. We'll also share our new events checklist that was created for use by internal event organizers at OC.

Presented by: Carolina Galaz

Audience: General

Description: Atrapa la Palabra: Bingo en Español transforms traditional bingo into an energetic, communicative experience for A1 learners. Through interactive clues, movement, and friendly competition, students actively build vocabulary, strengthen listening skills, and gain confidence using Spanish in a fun, low-pressure environment. Learning becomes dynamic, engaging, and unforgettable.

Presented by: Tiana Langedyk

Audience: General

Description: Curious about what makes your LinkedIn profile stand out? This is just the session for you! We will get hands-on, revamping our LinkedIn profiles, picking the perfect photos, writing professional articles for LinkedIn, building an online community and leveraging opportunities. Whether you are looking to advance your career, connect with your industry peers, build a personal brand or share your academic work online, this workshop will give you the opportunity to build a LinkedIn profile you can be proud of. 

Presented by: Education Technology

Audience: Instructional

Description: With Okanagan College’s launch of Brightspace approaching in Fall 2026, the Teaching & Learning Innovations team is offering this introductory workshop to help educators get comfortable with the new Learning Management System. We’ll walk through the Brightspace interface, course navigation, and the core tools used to build and manage your course. You’ll learn how to add and organize content, communicate with students, and manage assignments and grades so you’re ready for the upcoming launch.

Presented by: Alison Roberts

Audience: General

Description: Join this fun and creative session to learn about acrylic pour painting and try a couple of flow art techniques to create a masterpiece for your home or workspace! No prior painting experience is required. 

Presented by: James Wood

Audience:  General

Description: Maybe you've told yourself you can't draw. It ain't true. In this hands-on session, you'll learn some simple techniques to help you express your ideas visually.

Presented by: Julian Buck, Sean White

Audience: General

Description: Whether you're completely new to craft beer or a seasoned brewery hopper, walking into a craft brewery can be a disorienting experience. There's so many names, numbers, and styles! Join as as we help you decode it all and learn about the history, process, and culture of craft beer as we go.

Presented by: Mystery Presenters

Audience: General

Presented by: Kessia Rush (Cherry Pi/Cherry 3.14)

Audience: General

Description: With over a decade of dance training and six years of burlesque performance experience, Cherry 3.14 brings both artistic and historical perspective to this exploration of burlesque as a dynamic performance art form.

Rooted in 19th-century parody theatre, burlesque has evolved into a contemporary art practice centered on character development, theatrical storytelling, and embodied presence. This interactive educational session examines the cultural history of burlesque, the symbolism of costume and stagecraft, and the role of agency in artistic expression.

The session includes a brief, optional movement component focused on posture, stage presence, and embodied confidence — transferable skills applicable to public speaking and leadership contexts.

No dance or burlesque experience is required. 

Comfortable attire is recommended; optional accessories such as heels or gloves may be incorporated for those interested.

Presented by: Corinna Chong

Audience: General

Description: Design thinking is a creative approach to problem-solving, typically used by designers, that is being increasingly adopted across other disciplines and workplaces to promote innovation and collaboration. In this session, we will experiment with some mini design challenges that give insight into how problem-solving can transform from a daunting and dread-inducing set of tasks to an energizing and illuminating creative process. 

Presented by: Alex Kortzman

Audience: General

Description: Understanding body mechanics, awkward postures, and repetitive motions. Operating sub-consciously. Listening to your body, understanding discomfort.

Presented by: Kaylen Lesko, Abby Marks

Audience: General

Description: This session will explore how Okanagan College employees can play a role in connecting students to support when academic, personal, or well-being concerns arise. Facilitated by the Coordinated Support Services (CSS) team, it will cover having supportive conversations with students, how to make referrals using the Care System and other referral options, and how CSS works with students to provide coordinated support. The session will offer an opportunity to learn more about collaborating with CSS and how employees can help students access the support available to them.

Presented by: Kate Sidlar

Audience: General

Description: Some glow in the dark, some can control an insect’s body, and some can even have an effect on the weather. They are under your feet in every step you take and without them we wouldn’t have Legos or chocolate or even forests. Join this fun and interactive session to learn about the fascinating world of fungi – you’ll never look at a mushroom the same way again!

Presented by: David Castro Alves Vilela

Audience: General

Description: David will describe some studies about how the vibration of the songs and rhythms can be an essential tool to reduce the stress and contribute with our mental health. There will be a practical activity in the classroom.

Presented by: Vivian Moretti

Audience: Instructional

Description: What do Camp OC, Sampler programs, Experience OC, Student for a Day, Try a Trade and Dual Credit courses have in common? They are all domino tiles in a student’s journey to our programs. In this interactive session, you will explore how early engagement create momentum, reduce barriers and build clearer pathways to post-secondary program enrolment. Through a fun domino challenge and interactive activities, we’ll explore how small early experiences lead to big enrollment wins. Come ready to play, discover, and maybe knock a few things over (on purpose!).

Presented by: Brian Hall

Audience: General

Description: If you're juggling kids, aging parents, appointments, emotions, and expectations, you're not alone. This session unpacks what it means to live in the "sandwich generation" and offers practical, OT-informed strategies to lighten the load, including home adaptation tips, local supports, and ways to protect your own wellbeing in the process.

Presented by: Vicki Pannell

Audience: Support

Description: This session will help administrative and operations staff understand their Budget to Actual variances, navigate using the Fast System and understand how to forecast financial results.

This session applies to individuals who have budget responsibility, use Fast Finance or Fast Budget and who are responsible for financial data within their department or portfolio.

Presented by: Education Technology

Audience: Instructional

Description: As the Fall 2026 launch of Brightspace approaches, the Teaching & Learning Innovations team is offering this session to highlight a range of helpful tools and features within Brightspace. We’ll share practical tips for working in the platform and explore ways educators are using it to organize course materials and support student learning. The session will also include time for questions and open discussion.

Presented by: Rob St. Onge, Vaibhav Patel

Audience: General

Description: As the world races toward a low carbon future, individual habits are one of the most important components.
Understanding our carbon footprint is the first step toward meaningful change. In this interactive session, participants will explore what a carbon footprint really means and use a simple online calculator to quickly estimate their own baseline.
Through discussion and practical examples, we’ll connect everyday choices like energy use and eating habits to their environmental impact. The session will also highlight realistic “do’s and don’ts” to help reduce emissions in both personal and workplace contexts.
By focusing on awareness, connection, and small system-level shifts, this session empowers participants to make informed decisions that naturally lead to more sustainable outcomes.

Presented by: Marlo Edwards

Audience: General

Description: What if the most powerful communication tool isn't a pdf — it's a story? In this hands-on session, Communications prof Marlo Edwards will introduce her research project with BC Cancer, where patients will co-create digital stories to be embedded directly in cancer care information systems. Session participants will experience a digital story, explore the research behind narrative-based communication, and brainstorm how storytelling could transform information delivery in their own work.

Presented by: Mystery Presenters

Audience: General

Make a Splash at Connections: Whalemade Drag Bingo 🌊

Get ready to make a splash! Bringing a wave of fun to Connections, we’re diving into the deep end with a special session of Whalemade Drag Bingo hosted by the legendary Freida Whales.

Freida is bringing her signature campy charm and wit to Okanagan College. It’s the perfect way to tide over the transition back to campus and "sea" your colleagues in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Get Schooled: Whalemade Drag Trivia with Freida Whales! ⚓

Ready to test your depth? As part of this year’s Connections, join Canada’s wettest drag queen Freida Whales for a trivia session that’s more about the wit than the grit.

Freida will be navigating us through a sea of questions, bringing her signature humor and oversized personality to the podium. It’s the perfect chance to show off your brain-power—or just prove you’re the best at fishing for answers.