WESTCAST 2019

About WestCAST

The Werklund School of Education is proud to host this year’s WestCAST (Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching) conference.

WestCAST is an education conference held annually by the Faculties of Education in the western provinces of Canada. WestCAST 2019 will be held February 20-22, 2019 at the University of Calgary, bringing together over 600 education faculty and teacher education students for three days of conversation and engagement on topics that are relevant in today’s world of teaching.

This year, WestCAST 2019 invites pre-service teachers, students, graduate students, teacher educators, and practicing teachers to submit presentations and participate in sessions that focus on the theme of “Inspire | Connect”.

#WestCAST2019

Conference Speakers

WestCAST 2019 features two prominent researchers and educators from the Werklund School of Education
Shirley Steinberg
Shirley R. Steinberg is a Research Professor of Critical Youth Studies at the University of Calgary. She is the author and editor of many books in critical pedagogy, urban and youth culture, and cultural studies. Originally a social/improvisational theatre creator, she has facilitated happenings and flashmobs globally. A regular contributor to CBC Radio One, CTV, The Toronto Globe and Mail, The Montreal Gazette, and Canadian Press, she is an internationally known speaker and teacher. She is the founding editor of "Taboo: The Journal of Culture and Education" and the Managing Editor of "The International Journal of Critical Pedagogy". She is the founder of the International Institute for Critical Pedagogy and Transformative Leadership, which is committed to a global community of transformative educators and community workers engaged in radical love, social justice, and the situating of power within social and cultural contexts, specifically involving youth. Her research focuses on the cultural/social/education development of youth, and critical community involvement. She is concerned with how society views young people, and her work creates an environment in which youth are viewed as positive democratic agents within society.
Jennifer Adams
Dr. Adams’ research has focused on two areas: 1) urban place-based and environmental education and 2) informal science learning a) teacher learning, identity and agency and b) youth agency and identity. Underlying her work are critical and decolonizing stances towards science and science teaching and learning. Her research will now extend into examining the intersection of creativity and STEM in postsecondary science teaching and learning contexts. Dr. Adams will emphasize design towards increasing the creative capacities of STEM learners and theorizing a critical stance towards creativity and STEM.

Conference Itinerary

Wednesday, February 20, 2019 Werklund School of Education

  • 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Welcoming Reception & Registration
Thursday, February 21, 2019 Werklund School of Education
  • 8:30 am – 9:30 am Opening Keynote
  • 9:30 am – 9:40 am Travel Time
  • 9:40 am – 10:50 am Concurrent Session A
  • 10:50 am – 11:00 am Travel Time
  • 11:00 am – 12:10 pm Concurrent Session B
  • 12:10 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch
  • 1:30 pm – 2:40 pm Concurrent Session C
  • 2:40 pm – 2:50 pm Travel Time
  • 2:50 pm – 4:00 pm Concurrent Session D
  • 4:00 pm – 4:10 pm Travel Time
  • 4:10 pm – 5:20 pm Concurrent Session E
  • 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm Student Social Event
Friday, February 22, 2019 Werklund School of Education
  • 8:30 am – 9:40 am Concurrent Session F
  • 9:40 am – 9:50 am Travel Time
  • 9:50 am – 11:00 am Concurrent Session G
  • 11:00 am – 11:10 am Travel Time
  • 11:10 am – 12:20 pm Concurrent Session H
  • 12:20 pm – 12:45 pm Travel Time
  • 12:45 pm – 3:00 pm Closing Keynote with Buffet Lunch

CALGARY - THE 4TH MOST LIVABLE CITY IN THE WORLD

Accommodations & Travel

Stay at one of the following local hotels which are conveniently located closely to the University of Calgary, with a special discounted rate.

Accommodations

  • Best Western Plus Village Inn

    Individuals can make reservations directly with the Hotel at 403-289-0241 (press 7 for front desk) or online. Rooms must be booked by January 5th, 2019. Please reference the rate code "Westcast Conference" when booking.

  • Aloft Calgary University

    To book your reservation call 1-888-627-8557 or book online. Please identify yourself as a member of the "Westcast Conference" Group when booking. Rooms must be booked by January 5th, 2019.

  • Hotel Alma at the University of Calgary

    To book your reservation call 1-877-498-3203. Please note that reservation requests need to be called in, faxed or e-mailed to the reservation department. There is no option currently available for on-line bookings for groups. While the cutoff block dates have passed, please still refer to the group name, WestCAST 2019, when reserving your room.

  • Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suite Calgary University

    Call Direct (587) 390-6100 and quote the block code "WSE" or group name "Werklund School of Education". Please reference the rate code "Westcast Conference" when booking online. All reservations must be made by 6:00pm MDT on January 20, 2019.

  • EconoLodge Inn & Suites University

    Contact reservations at 1-800-917-7779 and reference the Werklund School Group to book your room. Cut-off date for booking is January 31, 2019.

Shuttle Schedule

We are providing complimentary shuttles between the University and the Banff Trail hotel area. The shuttles will only pick up and drop off:
  • In front of the Best Western Village Park Inn (1804 Crowchild Trail NW)
  • The bus loop in front of the Werklund School of Education (2750 University Way NW)

Unfortunately the other hotels do not have the capacity for the shuttles to stop in front of them. Please walk to/from the Best Western when using the shuttle.

Please refer to the schedule below for run times. The shuttles will be completing ongoing loops from both locations simultaneously. These represent the first and last trip that the shuttles will be completing.

Wednesday, February 20th
5:00 p.m. (first trip leaving the Best Western)
to
9:00 p.m. (last trip leaving the University)

Thursday, February 21st
7:00 a.m. (first trip leaving the Best Western)
to
8:15 a.m. (last trip leaving the Best Western)

5:30 p.m. (first trip leaving the University)
to
6:30 p.m. (last trip leaving the University)

Student Social
8:00 p.m. (first trip leaving the University)
to
10:00 p.m. (last trip leaving the University)

Friday, February 22nd
7:00 a.m. (first trip leaving the Best Western)
to
8:15 a.m. (last trip leaving the Best Western)

3:30 p.m. (first trip leaving the University)
to
5:00 p.m. (last trip leaving the University)

Flights

On behalf of our team, we would like to thank you for choosing WestJet for your travel plans. We are happy to confirm that for the upcoming WestCAST Conference, we are able to offer 5% off Econo* and Flex and 10% off Plus base fares for Domestic Travel and 2% off Econo*, 5% off Flex and 10% off Plus base fares for guests travelling Trans-border** between Calgary and anywhere WestJet flies in North America (including our Delta code-share partner network). To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed below. Please visit https://westjet.com/conventions to make a booking online.

  • Coupon code: Z54UE38
  • Promo code (Travel Agent use only): WKK53
Changes/cancellations

You can change or cancel reservations within 24 hours of booking at no charge. Further changes or cancellations can be made up to 2 hours prior to the flight; please note additional fees or charges may apply for each guest depending on fare class booked and differences in fare. Check out Westjet's service fees page for more information.

See you at WestCAST 2020 hosted by the University of British Columbia! learn more

WERKLUND SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Connect with us

Email us at [email protected]
Call us at 403 220 6794