ShiftKey Labs

IBM watsonx Education Challenge: Watsonx Orchestrate Hands-on Workshop
2024-11-01 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
In this Technical Bootcamp, participants have three hours to orchestrate a set of skills in IBM watsonx Orchestrate using IBM Business Automation services, including Operational Decision Manager (ODM) and Business Automation Workflow (BAW), to achieve more with existing investments in the Cloud Pak for Business Automation. These skills will automate risk analysis, create an approval workflow, apply discounts, create a conversational AI, and then add new skills to extend the capabilities of the solution to combine enterprise automation with employee productivity. To add some fun, this Bootcamp is also a Challenge: the winner will be the first to complete all the steps, add the most additional skills, and summarize the business value in the best way. All participants will have the experience of creating and enhancing a Gen AI Automation use case. This Bootcamp is open to students of all skill levels and backgrounds, but requires that you bring your own laptop computer; you will receive a link to the software you need.

📆 Date: November 1st 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00-8:00pm
📌 Location: Virtual
💰 Cost: FREE!
📌 Registration: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Ocean of Data Challenge: Coastal Clarity
2024-11-04 - 2024-11-18 | Virtual
Post-secondary students across Atlantic Canada, test your skills in the Ocean of Data Challenge! DeepSense, ShiftKey Labs, and COVE are thrilled to be hosting the 10th Ocean of Data Challenge: Coastal Clarity to explore how we can build coastal resilience 🌊.
Attend a live virtual panel to learn about the impact of climate change on coastlines and the need for coastal resilience on Monday, November 4th.
The Ocean of Data Challenge invites participants to dive into data at their own pace, showcasing their skills while competing for cash prizes! The challenge is divided into three streams: On the Water, In the Water, and Around the Water. Participants will select one stream and develop interdisciplinary ideas to enhance coastal resilience. Each stream offers a unique lens for exploring various types of data, encouraging innovative approaches to address coastal challenges.
Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference and win cash prizes!

📆 Date: Nov 4-18, 2024 ⏰ Location: Virtual
💰 Cost: FREE!
📌 Registration:https://www.tickettailor.com/events/deepsense/1429482

Academy Up: DevOps Foundations Certification (1/4)
2024-11-05 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Excited to share that we’re launching a new certification program in DevOps November! Led by Zainuddin Saiyed, this program offers you the chance to learn the basics of DevOps and get hands-on experience.
This free certification program is offered through ShiftKey Academy Up, generously supported by Cognizant.
📅 Dates: November 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📌 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 134
💰 Cost: FREE!
Register now: https://bit.ly/4eJE3j6
Note: Attendance is required for all sessions to earn certification, as well as successful completion of assessment.

Find Your Co-Founder: Tech & Entrepreneurship
2024-11-06 - 2024-11-07 | Dalhousie and SMU
Come Join us for the Find Your Cofounder: Tech & Entrepreneurship Event on November 6th, 7th & 8th co-hosted by Shiftkey, DalInovates, and the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.Each session day is unique (and in a different location!), so you are welcome to attend all three or just the days that interest you. Expect delicious food from local entrepreneurs and thought-provoking discussions on all 3 days!

Here’s what you’ll get from this:

How to Talk Tech: how to talk tech to non-tech startups and why entrepreneurship is so important in the tech industry
November 6, 2024 | 6:00PM-7:00PM | Arthur L Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, Sobey Inspiration Hub (SH212)

Tech in Entrepreneurship: exploring the importance of tech in entrepreneurship and what entrepreneurial skills are vital for tech and non-tech startups
November 7, 2024 | 6:00PM-7:00PM | Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 127

POSTPONED*: Find your CoFounder: Panel discussion with this week’s speakers, Q&A, and networking (dinner included!)

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and learn! See you there!

Register now: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

ShiftKey Lounge: Cloud & Cybersecurity
2024-11-06 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
ShiftKey Lounge is a collaborative project with the Faculty of Computer Science to introduce new students to all the amazing things they can do with a Computer Science education. This informal drop-in session will take place every Wednesday from October 2, 2024 until November 13, 2024.In each of these sessions, you’ll get to meet upper-year students, recent graduates, industry professionals, and advisors to help you get the tools you need to learn more about what you are most passionate about. Learn about important resources and events, what it is like to work in different fields, and ask all your curious questions at ShiftKey Lounge.
Food will be provided at each drop-in session. Registration is not required.
Details for this session:
The theme for the ShiftKey Lounge drop-in session on November 6 from 5:30PM-7:00PM is Cloud & Cybersecurity. To talk all things Cloud & Cybersecurity, we’ve got a great panel of guests lined up.

Coming soon!

Other sessions this term:
November 13 – Entrepreneurship as an International

Academy Up: Data Analytics with Python Certification (4/4)
2024-11-06 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Excited to share that we’re launching a new certification program in Data Analytics and Python this October and November! Led by Sahil Chawla, this program offers you the chance to learn the basics of Python and get hands-on experience.
This free certification program is offered through ShiftKey Academy Up, generously supported by Cognizant.
📅 Dates: October 16, 23, 30, and November 6
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
📌 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 127
💰 Cost: FREE!
Register now: https://bit.ly/47CEFEm
Note: Attendance is required for all sessions to earn certification, as well as successful completion of assessment.

National Health Datathon
2024-11-09 - 2024-11-10 | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
📣 Calling all CS and Medical students! 📣
Do you want to change the future of medicine? Do you want to compete nationally for a chance to win exciting prizes? Do you want a chance to win against students from across Canada?
Join the National Health Datathon on November 9th and 10th hosted by ShiftKey, Dalhousie Faculty of Computer Science, UBC and Toronto Health Datathon. Work together in teams and use real data to solve problems in the medical field through tech.
Each team will be composed of Computer Science and Medical students, and there will be a chance for team creation and networking on the first day of the event. You will also have a chance to work with and compete against teams from UBC and U of T!
This event is geared towards Dalhousie students, but it is open for any CS and Medical students in the province.
Read the schedule below and find out how to register!

📆 Date: Nov 9-10, 2024 ⏰ Location: Goldberg Computer Science, Room 134
💰 Cost: FREE!
📌 Registration: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Academy Up: DevOps Foundations Certification (2/4)
2024-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada

Ocean Crawl
2024-11-13 | Dalhousie, OTN, InnovaSea, COVE, The Pier
🌊 Are you a post-secondary student looking to embark on a journey of oceanic exploration like never before? Join us on November 13th for the Ocean Industry Crawl!
🚌 Step aboard the Ocean Industry Crawl bus as we transport you to different locations within HRM. At each stop, connect with industry experts, scientists, and professionals who will provide a firsthand look into the diverse and significant contributions of the ocean industry.
🤝 Conclude your journey at the pier with our Ocean Industry Networking Event where you will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, build your professional network, and learn about exciting career opportunities in the ocean tech field.
🔬 Whether you’re a post-secondary student eager to chart your career path or an ocean enthusiast looking to deepen your knowledge, the Ocean Industry Crawl is your compass to the future of ocean technology.
📅 Date: November 13, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
📌 Location: Dalhousie, OTN, InnovaSea, COVE, The Pier
✍ Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-industry-crawl-tickets-1054542718659

STEM Connector: Ocean Networking
2024-11-13 15:00 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | The PIER, 1209 Marginal Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Join us on November 13 for an exclusive opportunity to explore careers in the blue economy at The PIER!
This is the perfect opportunity to connect and build relationships with key players in the field. Enjoy refreshments, networking, and an opportunity to meet some of the companies working out of The PIER.
For students, if you are attending the Ocean Industry Crawl, you don’t need to register for this event, your Crawl registration includes the Networking Event.
For PIER members, this is an excellent opportunity to connect with undergraduate and post-graduate students as well as industry professionals and the ecosystem. PIER members will have access to a table during the event to showcase or demo and connect with students.
Whether you’re a post-secondary student eager to chart your career path, an ocean enthusiast looking to deepen your knowledge, or an industry professional looking to engage the brightest academic minds, the Ocean Industry Networking Event is your compass to the future of ocean technology.
This event is brought to you by DeepSense, Shiftkey Labs, COVE, SURGE Innovation, NSCC, The PIER, Port Halifax, OTCNS and BHER
📅 Date: November 13, 2024
⏰ Time: 4:00PM-6:00PM
📌 Location: The Pier
✍ Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ocean-industry-networking-event-tickets-1062078668889?aff=oddtdtcreator

Postponed: ShiftKey Lounge: Entrepreneurship as an International
2024-11-13 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
November 13 session is postponed! Keep an eye out for the make-up date.
ShiftKey Lounge is a collaborative project with the Faculty of Computer Science to introduce new students to all the amazing things they can do with a Computer Science education. This informal drop-in session will take place every Wednesday from October 2, 2024 until November 13, 2024.In each of these sessions, you’ll get to meet upper-year students, recent graduates, industry professionals, and advisors to help you get the tools you need to learn more about what you are most passionate about. Learn about important resources and events, what it is like to work in different fields, and ask all your curious questions at ShiftKey Lounge.
Food will be provided at each drop-in session. Registration is not required.
Details for this session:
The theme for the ShiftKey Lounge drop-in session on November 13 from 5:30PM-7:00PM is Entrepreneurship as an International. To introduce all the details about being an Entrepreneur as an International, we’ve got a great panel of guests lined up.

Coming soon!

BSides Halifax Cybersecurity Conference
2024-11-14 | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
BSides Halifax is proud to announce our 4th (becoming annual!) Halifax BSides conference! The event will once again be held IRL (in real life), but this time in the fall on Thursday, November 14th, 2024. It will be another great day filled with talks and the chance to spend time with fellow security enthusiasts, as well as some muffins, hopefully.
For this go round we are partnering with ShiftKey Labs and will be holding the event at Dalhousie’s Computer Science building. As always, all are welcome, be they battle-hardened analysts, DC902 stalwarts, application security experts, or those new to the field.
As we did last year, we are offering tickets for a minimum donation of $13.37 (we’ll keep this price point as long as we possibly can). All proceeds will again go to Feed Nova Scotia, because grocery prices haven’t gotten any better since last time. Student Tickets are Free!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone mid November and are excited by the chance to hold the event at a larger venue. We’ll have some old favorites and a fresh batch of talks and activities to enjoy.
Keep on reading to see the schedule and how to register.

Important information:
📅 Date: November 14th, 2024
⏰ Time: 9:00am to 4:30pm
📌 Location: The Goldberg Computer Science Building
✍ Registration Instructions:
💼 For Industry Professionals: Please Click Here
🎓 For Students: Due to limited student spaces, please email info@shiftkeylabs.ca to register.

Workshop: Internet of Things
2024-11-15 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | Rowe Management Building, 6100 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
This workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of building Internet of Things (IoT) systems and establishing effective device communication, using the innovative Monogramming approach—a shell script-based programming method tailored for IoT programming. Students will gain practical experience in setting up IoT hardware and leveraging shell scripts to create efficient, streamlined communication protocols between devices. This approach offers a unique pathway to mastering the essential skills of programming for connected systems. Whether you’re new to IoT or looking to deepen your understanding, this workshop is a great opportunity to explore the world of smart, connected systems.
Prof. Ohno: Dr. Hiroyuki Ohno is a Professor at Kanazawa University, Japan, where he also serves as the Director of Information Infrastructure Division, Information Media Center and Senior Researcher at Keio Research Institute at SFC. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Master and Bachelor degrees in Control Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology. He is also the founder of the Raspberry Gate and Guardian initiative that aims at securing Raspberry Pi devices. Previously served as a lecturer at the Graduate School of Tokyo Institute of Technology, with appointments at the Communications Research Laboratory of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (now NICT) and the Cabinet Secretariat. Has held the current position since 2006, engaging in research on emergency communications, information security, and manufacturing support. In recent years, he has been advocating for “Monogramming,” dedicating himself to its practice and promotion. He is also actively conducting research in the fields of quantum computing and quantum communication. Dr. Ohno is a collaborator of Dr. Srini Sampalli and is a frequent visitor to the MYTech Lab in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University, where he mentors and advises students on IoT research.
Story behind the approach: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QQw3fK2hy9bcFOAHFCMKf3fMQeLkwxE0R4ejlJgotk0/edit?usp=sharing

📅 Date: November 15, 2024
⏰ Schedule:

10:00AM-12:00PM: Part 1
12:00PM-1:00PM: Lunch (provided)
1:00PM-3:00PM: Part 2

📌 Location: Room 1016, Rowe Management Building
✍️ Register now: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Workshop: APIs
2024-11-18 18:30 - 19:30 (Asia/Kolkata) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Join us on November 18th for an API Development session where we’ll dive into the fundamentals of APIs, exploring how they enable communication between different systems through HTTP requests, endpoints, and REST architecture. We’ll also test out LLM APIs to interact with Generative AI models, offering hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI technologies.

📅 Date: October 21st, 2024
⏰ Time: 6:30PM-7:30PM
📌 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, 430
Register Now: https://bit.ly/4f2waVD

LaTeX Workshop & Competition
2024-11-19 17:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
LaTeX is a key skill for both budding and seasoned computer scientists alike. This workshop gives an interactive overview of using LaTeX for typesetting assignments, posters, presentations, diagrams, theses, and conference submissions through a series of typesetting challenges. No knowledge of LaTeX is required for this beginner friendly workshop but those experienced with LaTeX should expect to learn techniques that will increase their productivity. After giving an interactive tutorial, participants will be presented with a series of typesetting competitions to show off their newly learned LaTeX prowess. All participants must bring their own computer.
📅 Date: November 19th, 2024
⏰ Time: 5:30PM to 8:30PM
📌 Location: The Goldberg Computer Science Building
✍ Registration: bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Academy Up: DevOps Foundations Certification (3/4)
2024-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada

Workshop with Linux Society: Vim Workshop
2024-11-20 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Vim is an excellent lightweight code editor that can be put to great use, if you know how to use it effectively. Learn the basics of how to install and navigate Vim and gain an understanding of more advanced features that enable you to work more efficiently. You will gain an understanding of how Vim works and know enough to be able to dig into further details yourself. We will also cover some commonly used plugins to customise and improve your Vim experience.

📅 Date: November 20th, 2024
⏰ Time: 5:30PM to 7:00PM
📌 Location: The Goldberg Computer Science Building
✍ Registration: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Industry Showcase: Nova Scotia Power
2024-11-21 16:00 - 17:30 (Asia/Kolkata) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Join us on Thursday, November 21st, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM for an insightful Industry Showcase event with Nova Scotia Power. This session is part of Dalhousie University’s Industry Showcases, offering you the opportunity to connect with professionals and explore career opportunities in cybersecurity.
About the session:
This event features Halim Abou-Dib, Enterprise Cyber Security Operations Lead at Nova Scotia Power. With over 17 years of experience in education and professional roles in cybersecurity and telecommunications, Halim brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Discover how Nova Scotia Power navigates the complexities of cybersecurity operations and learn how you can prepare for a thriving career in this dynamic field.
Key takeaways from the session:

Explore career opportunities available with Nova Scotia Power.
Gain insights into the company’s cybersecurity operations and how they tackle modern challenges.
Receive practical advice from a seasoned cybersecurity professional on breaking into the field.
Learn strategies for building your skillset and standing out in the cybersecurity job market.

About the Speaker:
Halim Abou-Dib joined Nova Scotia Power in 2022 as the Enterprise Cyber Security Operations Lead. Before this role, he accumulated over 17 years of experience, including teaching at a Canadian post-secondary institution in Qatar and later at NSCC in Nova Scotia. In these roles, Halim contributed to department leadership, strategic planning, and industry collaboration, with a strong focus on cybersecurity. His practical expertise extends to telecommunications in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he further honed his knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and trends. Halim’s commitment to continual learning and adaptation has kept him at the forefront of this ever-evolving field.
Location:
Room 430, Slonim Conference Room
Goldberg Computer Science Building, 4th floor
6050 University Avenue,
Halifax, NS,
B3H 4R2
Register Here

Academy Up: DevOps Foundations Certification (4/4)
2024-11-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada

Academy UP: SQL Foundations (1/4)
2025-01-06 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Excited to share that we’re launching a new certification program in SQL in January! Led by Vishwa Patel, this program offers you the chance to learn the basics of SQL and get hands-on experience.
This free certification program is offered through ShiftKey Academy Up, generously supported by Cognizant.
📅 Dates: January 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📌 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 134
💰 Cost: FREE!
Register now: http://bit.ly/4iIQluo
Note: Attendance is required for all sessions to earn certification, as well as successful completion of assessment.

Industry Showcase: Ubisoft
2025-01-10 16:00 - 17:30 (Asia/Kolkata) | Ubisoft Halifax, 1505 Barrington St #1200, Halifax, NS, B3J 3K5, Canada
📅 Date: January 10, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00PM-5:30PM
📌 Location: Ubisoft Halifax

Academy UP: SQL Foundations (2/4)
2025-01-13 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada

Workshop: Cybersecurity in Networks
2025-01-16 18:30 - 19:30 (Asia/Kolkata) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
This workshop dives into the fundamentals of how networks operate, their importance in cybersecurity, and explores best practices for securing networks from potential threats. You’ll gain hands-on experience through a live demo, and have the opportunity to interface with a network switch yourself. By the end of the session, you will understand why it’s crucial to secure network infrastructure, learn practical techniques to enhance network security, and get resources to further your learning in the cybersecurity field.

📅 Date: January 16th, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:30PM-7:30PM
📌 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, 134
✍️ Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e3ftEFaR

AI and Mental Wellbeing Hackathon
2025-01-17 - 2025-01-19 | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Calling all creative minds and problem-solvers! 🚀 ShiftKey Labs presents the ShiftKey GenAI Mental Wellness Hackathon, happening January 17–19, 2025. This three-day event invites students from across Nova Scotia and all faculties to innovate with Generative AI and develop solutions to support mental health. Explore how Generative AI can revolutionize mental health and well-being.
This year’s hackathon focuses on a single, unified stream, blending creativity, coding, and collaboration to design impactful solutions. Whether you’re an experienced coder or simply passionate about mental wellness, there’s a place for you to contribute and make a difference.
📅 Dates: January 17–19, 2025
📍 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building
What’s in store?
✨ Prizes for top-performing teams.
🎮 A chill zone with games and movies for downtime.
🌟 Opportunities to network, collaborate and make a difference.
Sign Up Here: Register Here
FAQ

What is Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI)?

Popular tools such as CHAT GPT, Jasper Chat, Google Bard, etc., are some Gen AI tools. This is a type of AI technology that can produce several types of content.

Who can take part in this hackathon?

This hackathon is open to everyone regardless of their coding skill level and education background.

Participants can choose from the either stream –

Creation of a tool and demonstration (coding stream)
Potential idea presentation and pitch (non-coding stream)

Why should I take part in the hackathon?

Get an opportunity to network with other participants, experienced judges and mentors. Learn industry-based skills, gain valuable experience and show it off on your resume. Great food during the hackathon and amazing prizes valued up to $1000 for the winners.

Schedule
Friday:

Time
Program
Location/Room

18:30
Open Team Formation
Online

Saturday:

Time
Program
Location/Room

09:30
Doors open, Coffee & Tea
Goldberg Atrium

10:00-11:30
Presentation/Kick-off
Room 127

12:30
Hackathon 101
Room 127

13:00-14:00
Work time + QnA
Goldberg

14:00-15:00
Lunch
Goldberg Atrium

15:00-18:30
Work time + QnA
Goldberg

18:30
Submit Round 1
Online

19:00-20:00
Dinner
Goldberg Atrium

20:00-21:00
Work time
Goldberg

21:00-22:30
Entertainment
Multiple Rooms

– Board Games
Room 134

– Movies
Room 127

– Video Games
Room 143

Sunday:

Time
Program
Location/Room

09:00
Breakfast – Coffee, Tea
Atrium

09:30-13:00
Work time
Goldberg

13:00
Lunch
Atrium

13:30- 15:30
Work time
Goldberg

15:30
Final Submission Due
Online

16:00
Presentations
Room 127: CIBC Auditorium

17:30
Judging & Awards
Room 127: CIBC Auditorium

Don’t miss your chance to innovate for mental wellness! Mark your calendars, gather your team, and join us in shaping the future of mental wellness through Generative AI!

GGJ Workshop: D&D Game Design Workshop
2025-01-20 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
Most video games have a story: not only Role-playing games. In this workshop, we will approach story building and game design to maximize engagement for players, and simplify the design of a video game’s mechanics. To do this, Professor Carla Heggie and Dr. Christian Blouin will draw from experience designing and playing table-top role playing games. They will also approach this from a player’s perspective, especially on how player finding gamey loopholes can break immersion. Unlike a tabletop game where players aren’t trying to break a game, the rules are really different for a video game.
📅 Date: January 20, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00PM-6:00PM
📌 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 430
✍️ Register Here: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Please note: This workshop is available to everyone, whether they have signed up for Global Game Jam or not! If you haven’t signed up for the Jam but you want to, follow this link: https://bit.ly/40b5QTt

ShiftKey Build: Pitch Workshop
2025-01-20 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | Mona Campbell Building, 1459 Lemarchant Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3P8
Sharpen your pitch, practice, and enjoy free pizza at our Build Pitch Day workshop on January 20th, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Mona Campbell Room 1108! We’ll kick off the evening with a brief workshop, led by public speaking expert, Jason Turner, to help you refine your pitch. Afterwards, you’ll have a relaxed practice session where you can present, get feedback, and cheer each other on. Whether you’re ready to pitch or just want to learn and enjoy some pizza, everyone’s welcome. Come level up your startup ideas with us!
📅 Date: January 20, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00PM-7:30PM
📌 Location: Mona Campbell 1108
✍️ Register Here: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Academy UP: SQL Foundations (3/4)
2025-01-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada

GGJ Workshop: Figures in Motion
2025-01-21 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Halifax) | Goldberg Computer Science Building, 6050 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1W5, Canada
In this beginner figure drawing workshop, learn how to capture gestures, still poses, and movement. With step-by-step direction from Artist Sage Sidley, participants will learn how to sketch the human form from a live figure model (in fun costumes). This workshop will help Game Jam contestants draw accurate renderings of figures for character development.
📅 Date: January 21, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00PM-6:30PM
📌 Location: Goldberg Computer Science Building, Room 430
✍️ Register Here: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Please note: This workshop is available to everyone, whether they have signed up for Global Game Jam or not! If you haven’t signed up for the Jam but you want to, follow this link: https://bit.ly/40b5QTt

GGJ Workshop: Jamming with Unreal Engine 5
2025-01-22 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Halifax)
In this workshop, you will be guided on some of the main components you need to understand to make a game in Unreal Engine 5 in the context of a game jam. How to set up a level, what is a game mode, what is a player controller, how to work with blueprints (especially in a team context), how to work with materials, how to make UI components, and more! We will be explore the basics of the engine and understand why things are designed the way they are because it can be a bit confusing to get into for the first time. Game Developer, Rose Dufresne, understands that a lot of tutorials try to cover everything (e.g. lumen, Niagara, nanites… what even are these, and do we really even need this information to make a silly game?). They can come off as overwhelming and much of the knowledge can get lost quite quickly. So, she wants to present you with information that will hopefully stick with you from one game jam to another!
📅 Date: January 22, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00PM-6:30PM
📌 Location: Virtual (Teams link will be sent out)
✍️ Register Here: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Please note: This workshop is available to everyone, whether they have signed up for Global Game Jam or not! If you haven’t signed up for the Jam but you want to, follow this link: https://bit.ly/40b5QTt

GGJ Workshop: Virtual Reality with Unreal Engine 5
2025-01-23 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Halifax)
Get started on setting up VR in Unreal Engine and designing your game with VR-specific interactions to immerse your players into your worlds. Your workshop leader will be Pedram Safari, many-time Game Jam winner and developer at local game studio, Maritime Digital Art & Design.
📅 Date: January 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00PM-6:30PM
📌 Location: Mona Campbell, Room 1201 (Hybrid: Teams link will be sent out)
✍️ Register Here: https://bit.ly/shiftkey-events

Please note: This workshop is available to everyone, whether they have signed up for Global Game Jam or not! If you haven’t signed up for the Jam but you want to, follow this link: https://bit.ly/40b5QTt
