MindFuel showcase brings student innovators to Calgary
Two dozen student projects from across Canada presented solutions ranging from efficient ice rinks to forest-mapping robot dogs.
More than two dozen student projects took centre stage at MindFuel's Tech Futures Challenge Innovation Showcase on Saturday, celebrating young innovators from B.C. through to the Maritimes.
Among the standouts: a team from Renert School in Calgary — Neomi Renert, Vittoria Di Stefano, and Suri Gohill among the 22-student group — is working on a project that would let community rinks operate at lower temperatures to save energy and reduce costs. From the University of British Columbia came Bark Watch, a robot dog designed to manoeuvre over forest floors to gather tree-growth data, generate 3D maps, and assist in forestry practices.
Beyond the projects, students heard from a lineup of innovation and business leaders. John Froh, president and CEO of STARS, told students that failures lead to resilience and growth. Melissa Power, a project geologist at Canadian Natural, urged students to try new things and follow their passions. Grant Sanden, founder and CEO of GeologicAI, advised looking at what annoys you — that frustration often signals a problem worth solving. Guy Levesque, executive director of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, stressed the value of curiosity and adventure. And Jim Gray, a community leader and energy-sector veteran, challenged students directly: "What are you going to do about it?" — a question he's posed for decades.
MindFuel's mission is to amplify Canada's capacity for innovation by helping students build skills and move their ideas toward reality. The Saturday event showcased how that commitment extends across the country.