INNOVATION NEWS BY BRILLIANT LABS

April 2026

This month, our focus turns toward the upcoming 2026 Brilliant Blue National Challenge, as students across the country prepare to share ideas and solutions that explore the future of our oceans. In the weeks ahead, we look forward to seeing the creativity, curiosity, and collaboration that young innovators bring to this national event.

As March comes to a close, we would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Government of Canada for its support through the CanCode program. This funding has helped Brilliant Labs reach thousands of youth across Atlantic Canada with opportunities to develop digital skills, explore coding and emerging technologies, and participate in hands-on learning experiences. We are deeply grateful for this support and for the educators and partners who have helped make this work possible.

Students across Canada are finalizing their ideas, refining prototypes, and preparing to present innovative solutions that support the future of our oceans.

Team registrations are now closed, but there is still time to get involved. Educators, professionals, and community members can still participate as mentors, judges, or volunteers, helping guide and support students throughout the challenge.

You can also experience the event by joining us as a spectator in person or virtually to discover the creativity and innovation of youth from across the country!

The journey continues as we get closer to April 17–18!

On March 19–20, educators, early childhood professionals, and partners gathered at Mactaquac Provincial Park for a pedagogical retreat focused on learning in, with, and for nature for children aged 0–8.

Initiated by the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the retreat brought together participants from school districts, early childhood services, schools, First Nations partners, and environmental education organizations. Over two days, participants engaged in collaborative discussions, hands-on outdoor learning activities, and opportunities to reflect on how nature can support holistic development and meaningful learning experiences for young children.

The retreat opened with knowledge sharing from First Nations partners and included outdoor learning sessions led by nature pedagogy expert Brendan McGuire. Moments of connection, shared meals, and collaborative workshops created space for participants to strengthen partnerships and explore new approaches to nature-based education.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for bringing together educators and partners to imagine and co-create meaningful learning experiences rooted in nature.

This new article explores how the b.Board, designed in Atlantic Canada and assembled in Dieppe, New Brunswick, supports hands-on STEAM learning by encouraging students to experiment, prototype, and create with technology.

 

Discover why locally designed educational technology matters and how the b.Board is helping students turn ideas into real-world projects!

Support Brilliant Labs in empowering youth through hands-on learning, creativity, and innovation! We provide students with tools and opportunities to solve real-world challenges, integrating technology and the UN Sustainable Development Goals to inspire the next generation of leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs.

 

Your donation helps bring sustainable, experiential education to classrooms and communities, fostering skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Together, we can create a brighter, more innovative future.

 

Donate today to make a difference by clicking here.

DONATE MENTOR VOLUNTEER CONNECT

As technology continues to shape how students learn, create, and communicate, understanding cybersecurity is becoming an essential skill. Brilliant Labs’ cybersecurity resources help students and educators explore topics such as online safety, responsible digital behaviour, and protecting personal information through engaging, hands-on activities.

Designed for a range of grade levels, these resources encourage critical thinking and help students better understand the digital environments they navigate every day.

Over the past several years, support from the Government of Canada through CanCode has allowed us to reach thousands of youth across Atlantic Canada with opportunities to develop digital skills, explore coding and emerging technologies, and engage in hands-on STEAM learning.

From classrooms to workshops, camps, and community events, students have built robots, explored cybersecurity, experimented with AI, and developed the confidence to create with technology rather than simply consume it.

We are deeply grateful to the Government of Canada for supporting digital learning and helping empower the next generation of innovators.