Neuro-Hackathon
September 18–20, 2026 | Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
SURGE Neuro-Hackathon is a free, weekend-long, in-person hackathon where students from across Nova Scotia team up to tackle real-world problems using EEG neurotechnology. Teams are formed on-site — just show up ready to collaborate. You'll choose a problem to solve, use design thinking to build a working solution, and pitch it to a panel by the end of the weekend.
Register Now!
What you'll do
Over the course of the weekend, you'll:
Get placed into an interdisciplinary team of fellow students, formed at the start of the event
Choose a problem to solve
Apply design thinking to shape your approach
Use real EEG neurotechnology to build a working prototype
Pitch your solution to a panel of judges
Themes
Projects can fall under one of three themes:
Machine Learning
Applications
Hardware
Prizes
$500+ in prizes for winning teams.
Who can join
Any student currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia is welcome to participate — all disciplines, all skill levels, no prior neurotech experience required, but coding experience can be helpful. Students from other schools are also welcome to register. Science is for everyone!
Logistics
When: September 18–20, 2026 (exact schedule to be sent closer to the event)
Where: SURGE, Life Sciences Centre, Room 02660, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
Format: In person
Meals: Provided throughout the weekend
Cost: Free
Registration: Open now through the day of the event
Questions:surge@dal.ca
Registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/neuro-hackathon-tickets-1997153371496?aff=oddtdtcreator
Careers in Climate Action and Sustainability
Curious what a career in climate action could actually look like? Join us for a conversation with professionals from Coastal Action and more, working at the intersection of sustainability and real-world impact. Whether you're just starting to explore your options or already have a career path in mind, this session will give you an honest look at how these professionals built their careers, and what it can mean for you!
This event is part of Careers in Focus, a program co-facilitated by SURGE and the Faculty of Science, designed to help students explore science-based career paths. Free and open to students from all fields of study.
📅 Date: September 23rd
🕐 Time: 4:30 – 6:00 PM
🍕 Food will be provided
🎓 Open to all students
📝 Registration required:[Registration link here]
Location: Anne Marie Ryan Room, Wallace McCain Learning Commons
Building a Life in Science with Dr. Raza Abidi
Building a Life in Science with Dr. Raza Abidi
Where can a life in science take you? Join Dr. Raza Abidi for the first event in Building a Life in Science, a speaker series presented by CABHI, SURGE, Pulse Biomed Hub and ShiftKey.
With a career spanning computer science, medicine and artificial intelligence, Dr. Abidi will share the experiences, decisions and unexpected turns that shaped his path. Whether you already have a direction in mind or are still figuring things out, come explore the possibilities and consider what your own life in science could look like.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 12–1 p.m. ADT
Room 430, Computer Science Building
6050 University Ave., Halifax
Free to attend | Pizza lunch provided
Register now: https://luma.com/cabhi-5t4d
IP 101: Intellectual Property Fireside Chat
Join us for a fireside chat and open Q&A on intellectual property fundamentals and the IP landscape across academia and industry.
IP 101: An Intellectual Property Fireside Chat
Free | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM | Dalhousie Campus
Got an idea, invention, or research worth protecting — and no idea where to start? Join us for a free fireside chat and open Q&A on intellectual property fundamentals and the IP landscape across academia and industry.
Hosted by SURGE Science & Innovation Sandbox, this session brings together guest experts from Dalhousie IP Legal Counsel and Cox & Palmer to break down the basics of IP: what it is, why it matters, and how it applies whether you're a student researcher publishing your work or an aspiring founder building something of your own.
Guests:
Stewart Hayne — Partner & Trademark Agent, Cox & Palmer
Lachlan MacLeod — Intellectual Property Office, Dalhousie Legal Counsel
Register Now
When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Where: On Dalhousie campus — exact room will be sent to registrants closer to the event
Cost: Free
Who it's for: Any student, innovator, or researcher interested in IP
Careers in Focus
Join us for our second Careers in Focus Session. Event theme TBA.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998922287371?aff=oddtdtcreator
SURGE x Faculty of Science Orientation
New Faculty of Science students are invited to join us at: SURGE x Faculty of Science Orientation!
Calling all first-year students with an interest in science, design, or innovation! Join us for the Science Innovation Challenge, where you'll work on a team, get creative, and build a prototype to solve an assigned problem, all while competing for a chance to win prizes.
This low-pressure challenge is a great chance to meet classmates, learn how innovation plays a key role in scientific research and discovery, and get a free meal.
Taking place in the SURGE space (Dal Science's hub for innovation and entrepreneurship), you'll meet the amazing folks who run this space and learn about their future programming, including weekly clubs and hackathons, and find out how you can get involved throughout the year.
📅 Date: September 10th
🕕 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: SURGE, LSC 02660, Oceanography Wing — follow the fish to find us!
🍕 Free food provided
♿ The SURGE classroom is wheelchair accessible and offers a range of table heights to support different working styles
📝 Registration required: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/science-innovation-challenge-tickets-1991701324276?aff=oddtdtcreator
Don't miss this chance to build, create, and connect (and maybe win something while you're at it). We can't wait to see what you come up with!
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
Careers in Focus:Clean Energy/Environmental Panel
Join SURGE and Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science as we explore different science careers. This month we dive into ocean based careers. This event is FREE. Sign Up
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
Careers in Focus: Health Career Panel
Join SURGE and Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science as we explore different science careers. This month we dive into ocean based careers. This event is FREE. Sign Up
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
NeuroTech
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
Innovation Week: Open Street Innovation
Find SURGE during Dal Innovate’s Open Street Innovation event.
This dynamic event brings together over 25 forward-thinking organizations from across Atlantic Canada’s innovation ecosystem. From startups and research hubs to industry collaborators and support networks, you’ll have the opportunity to engage directly with partners through interactive booths and activations located throughout campus.
Registration not required
SURGE Brain Hack
Join Surge's BrainHACK, a weekend hackathon where you will dive into the future of neurotechnology to build a Brain-Computer Interface. Register Here.
Careers in Focus: Ocean Career Panel
Join SURGE and Dalhousie’s Faculty of Science as we explore different science careers. This month we dive into ocean based careers. This event is FREE. Sign Up
NeuroTech Club
Join SURGE in our weekly club NeuroTech, where we will be discovering the power of brain computer interfaces. Learn what they are, how they work and how you can apply one for real world problems. Program is FREE and open to all students. No experience needed. Want to learn more? Sign up Here.
OceanTech Club
Join SURGE for our weekly OceanTech Club. Students will learn how to build their own ROV and test drive them in the Aquatorn. This is a FREE club with all supplies provided. No experience required. Want to learn more info? Sign up here.
FoS x SURGE Innovation Orientation Event
Calling all first-year students with an interest in science, design, or innovation! Join us for the Science Innovation Challenge! Work on a team and get creative as you build a prototype to solve an assigned problem!
This low-pressure challenge is a great chance to meet classmates, learn how innovation plays a key role in scientific research and discovery, and get a free meal!
Taking place in the SURGE space (Dal Science’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship), you'll meet the amazing folks who run this space and learn about their future programming, including weekly clubs and hackathons, and find out how you can get involved throughout the year.
The SURGE classroom is wheelchair accessible and offers a range of table heights to support different working styles.
Don’t miss this chance to build, create, and connect! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!