This fall, the Saint Mary’s University Experience Ventures team partnered with the Ecology Action Centre (EAC) on a Social Impact Challenge aimed at driving meaningful change in Nova Scotia’s energy and climate landscape. This unique challenge spanned across Atlantic Canada, as students from Saint Mary’s, St. Thomas University, Cape Breton University, NSCAD, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Dalhousie University came together to collaborate virtually, share knowledge and build solutions for a more sustainable future.
The Ecology Action Centre’s Energy & Climate Team focuses on phasing out fossil fuels and creating a clean, reliable and affordable electricity system through research, advocacy and innovative collaboration. Through this challenge, 15 students joined forces to tackle pressing issues such as:
Energy Poverty in Nova Scotia:
Nearly 43% of Nova Scotians spend more than 6% of their income on energy costs. How can we reduce this burden and help families heat their homes without sacrificing essentials?
Green Trades and Energy Retrofitting in Cape Breton:
How can nonprofit organizations or social enterprises build green trades skills and retrofit homes to create sustainable jobs and cleaner communities?
Incentivizing Energy Retrofits in Multifamily Housing:
What policies or incentives can motivate landlords to make buildings energy-efficient, while keeping rent affordable for tenants?
Student deliver their final presentations to the Ecology Action Centre
The challenge began with a virtual kickoff on October 6, where students heard directly from the EAC’s Energy & Climate team about the challenges facing Nova Scotia’s energy future.
Over the course of one month, students conducted research, collaborated in diverse teams and developed strategic, data-informed recommendations. Weekly virtual office hours with EAC mentors ensured students had ongoing guidance, and participation was impressive; every session was filled with engaged, passionate students eager to refine their ideas and make a real impact. On November 3, students delivered their final presentations and written solutions, showcasing creative approaches that demonstrated both entrepreneurial thinking and deep social awareness.
Experience Ventures empowers students to think like entrepreneurs, digitally, creatively and impactfully. This Social Impact Challenge not only gave students valuable hands-on experience, it also strengthened connections between universities, industries and communities across the Atlantic region. Through challenges like this, students become mini-consultants, collaborating with real organizations to explore meaningful, innovation-driven solutions.
Robert (Rob) McLellan, a student from SMU, said. “I really enjoyed working on the project, analyzing case studies and energy data taught me a lot about Canada’s energy use and how to make it more affordable.”
Cierrah Smith, a second-year student at Dalhousie, said the program helped her develop skills in communication, collaboration and time management. “Balancing the project with other responsibilities was rewarding. I’d recommend this experience to other students!”
A partner from the Ecology Action Centre, Hannah Minzloff, said, “From start to finish, the team made the journey engaging and enjoyable. Engaging with students from different universities added depth, and we’ll be using their findings in our work. We highly recommend this initiative to other organizations!”
Interested in taking part in future challenges like this one?
Join the Experience Ventures interest list to gain early access to opportunities that let you learn by doing, work with real partners and make a difference in your community.
Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, enables post-secondary students to make an impact alongside real world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements. EV is funded by the Government of Canda and is delivered in partnership with post-secondary institutions nationwide.
Learn more about the Ecology Action Centre and discover how the EAC is leading Nova Scotia's transition to clean energy: EAC Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Bluesky