Power BI Intermediate - CANCELLED
2026-03-05 - 2026-03-06 | SmartPark, Winnipeg
*Updated February 6, 2026: Unfortunately this event has been cancelled due to low enrollment
In this course, participants will work in Power BI Desktop to connect to data sets, create visualizations, and publish reports. They will deepen and expand the knowledge they gained in the Intro to Power BI Desktop course in data transformation and modelling, utilizing DAX functions, and data models. Course participants should have taken the Intro to Power BI Desktop course or equivalent. They need to be comfortable with essential Power BI Desktop skills such as connecting to datasets, creating and formatting visualizations, creating custom columns, creating measures, using basic DAX functions, and performing basic data modelling with the Query Editor
Contact us for more information.
Registration closes one month prior to training date.

Protect student data from the ground up on Clever – for free!
2026-03-17 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Winnipeg) | Virtual
Strengthen your school organization’s security posture using the tools you already have (for free) with Clever.
This practical session walks through Clever’s built-in protections like SSO, centralized identity, access controls, and foundational best practices to reduce risk, simplify management, and protect student data from day one.
Perfect for teams looking for quick wins without new budget!
Learn more or register by clicking HERE.

Secure your schools today, protect digital futures of tomorrow
2026-03-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Identity is the new perimeter in education. Join Clever for a visionary exploration of how we are going beyond connecting a world of digital learning to building a global identity platform designed specifically for the complexities of modern learning.
We’ll unveil our 2026 cybersecurity roadmap—focused on Visibility, Control, and Trust—and demonstrate how classroom-friendly security can actually unlock learning rather than block it. Discover how to protect student identities today while preparing them for the digital world of tomorrow.
Learn more or register by clicking HERE.

MAETL Meeting
2026-03-19, 2026-04-16
Visit Manitoba Association of Education Technology Leaders (MAETL): Home for full details.

Microsoft Accessibility and Learning Tools
2026-03-20 | SmartPark, Winnipeg
Designed for users who have familiarity with Microsoft and are interested in learning about how these features can increase accessibility for themselves, the colleagues they supervise, or their students.
The specific agenda can be modified to fit an audience of general users or those working with students.

Basic navigation and features through an accessibility lens

Microsoft Learning Tools

Immersive Reader

Dictate

Language Translation

Office Lens

Math Solver

Live Captions across tools

General accessibility options

Microsoft Coaches

Reading

Speaker

Search

Contact us for more information. Registration closes one month prior to training date.

Architecting Cost Effective, Secure and High Performing Networks: LAN, WAN & Campus Systems
2026-03-23 10:00 - 15:15 | SmartPark, Winnipeg
Join MERLIN, Bell and Fortinet for a practical, forward-thinking session focused on building secure, high-performing school networks. Discover how standardized LAN architecture, managed SD-WAN, modern voice systems, and integrated campus safety solutions can simplify operations and strengthen performance across your division or campus.
Agenda Highlights

10:00 – 10:20. Welcome & Why Architectural Consistency Matters
10:20 – 11:05. Secure LAN Edge: Simplifying Switching & Wireless
11:05 – 11:20. Break
11:20 – 12:00. Optimizing Distributed Schools with Managed SD-WAN
12:00 – 12:20. Guest Speaker: Real-World SD-WAN Journey (20 mins)
12:20 – 1:00. Lunch & Peer Discussion
1:00 – 1:40. Intelligent Campus Safety: Modern Video Systems
1:40 – 2:20. Modern School Communications: Voice
2:20 – 2:35. Break
2:35 – 3:15. Moving forward with Confidence: Assessment, Execution & Support

Contact us for full details and registration.

Spring Break: K-12
2026-03-30 - 2026-04-02
Wishing our K-12 students and staff an enjoyable spring break.

Good Friday
2026-04-03
MERLIN Closure

Easter Monday
2026-04-06

Spring Semester
2026-04-06 - 2026-04-10
Welcome to the spring semester for our post-secondary students and staff!

Microsoft Elevate Manitoba Training Summit
2026-04-15 09:30 - 16:00 | SmartPark, Winnipeg
Join the Microsoft Elevate Canada K-12 Education team and their training partner, Logics Academy, for a full-day event designed to support K–12 education leaders, IT professionals, and instructional staff in maximizing the value of Microsoft 365.
This hands-on learning session brings together experts from the Microsoft Elevate Canada K–12 Education team and Logics Academy, to explore what’s new in Microsoft Elevate, practical M365 Copilot and prebuilt agent scenarios, modern security through a unified SOC platform, and powerful automation strategies to streamline everyday work. While the focus of the day is K–12 education, colleagues from higher education are welcome to attend and participate. Attendees will leave with actionable insights, real-world examples, and a clearer path to leveraging Microsoft tools securely and effectively across their organizations.
Agenda Highlight:

9:30AM-10:15AM – Welcome, Intros, and The New Microsoft Elevate

10:15-10:30 – Break

10:30-Noon – M365 Copilot and Prebuilt Agents for Admin and Classroom Scenarios

Noon-12:45PM – Lunch
12:45-2:15PM – Modern Security: a Unified Soc Platform
2:15-2:45PM – Break
2:45-4PM – Automate Everything

Registration info will be available end of February / start of March.
Contact us for full details.

Tech Integration Models - CANCELLED
2026-04-17 | SmartPark, Winnipeg
*Updated March 17, 2026: Unfortunately this event has been cancelled due to low enrollment.
Designed for teachers, classroom support staff, and education leadership teams.
Informational overview so that educators are prepared to effectively compare options as they map out the integration of digital tools within their practice. Depending on the audience, the sessions provide working time for participants to use a select tool(s) from their practice within the model OR the session can be designed around the integration of a specific tool.

LoTi

TPCK/TPACK

TIM

SAMR

Triple E

Each integration model will be:

Introduced

Tied to educational influences

Situated within the MB Framework for Learning

Critiqued for informed practice

Modeled in real-time through hands-on examples with the audience

Contact us for more information. Registration closes one month prior to training date.

Bright Ideas Webinar: Using Release Conditions and Intelligent Agents to Personalize Learning
2026-04-21 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Brightspace

Learn how to personalize instruction with Release Conditions for remediation, enrichment, and self-paced learning
Explore how Intelligent Agents can automate targeted support and keep students on track
Ideal for teachers and administrators

The Ethics and Accessibility Considerations of AI
2026-04-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Designed for users who have familiarity with AI and are interested in learning about how it can be used through an informed lens that can increase accessibility for themselves, the colleagues they supervise, or their students.
Ethical considerations of AI use

Environmental

Copyright/data protection

Reliability

Access

Accessibility options and supports through AI use

Generalized considerations

Accessibility-specific AI tools

Assessing AI options through a critical lens

Contact us for more information. Registration closes Monday, April 27 at 12 noon.

MAETL AGM
2026-05-06

Riding The Wave
2026-05-07 - 2026-05-08 | Gimli, Manitoba
Education Technology Conference
MERLIN will be facilitating three sessions:
DIY SIEM & SOAR with M365: Michael Hart, IT Services Manager, MERLIN

Utilize your M365 environment to manage your security and event information as well as automate responses to incidents.

Behind The Scenes of Educational Technology in Manitoba: An Introduction to MERLIN: Kirsten Thompson, Project Manager, MERLIN

Many educators and school staff interact with digital tools every day, often without realizing the provincial systems and services working behind the scenes to support them. This session offers a clear, approachable introduction to MERLIN (Manitoba Education, Research and Learning Information Networks) and the role it plays in supporting education across the province.
Designed for non-technical and technical audiences alike, this session will demystify what MERLIN does, who we support, and how our services help create secure, reliable, and equitable learning environments. Participants will gain an overview of MERLIN’s key areas of work, including digital infrastructure, shared services, professional learning, and system-level collaboration.
Whether you are a classroom educator, administrator, support staff member, or education leader, this session will help you better understand how MERLIN fits into Manitoba’s education landscape; and how to engage with us as a partner in supporting teaching, learning, and operations.

From Curiosity to Confidence: Microsoft Copilot Teach and Responsible AI in Education: Kirsten Thompson, Project Manager, MERLIN

As AI tools become more accessible, education systems need solutions that balance innovation with trust. This session examines Microsoft Copilot Teach as an in-domain, compliant AI tool built to support educators without compromising student data or institutional policies. Attendees will learn how Copilot fits within existing Microsoft education ecosystems, supports responsible AI use, and empowers teachers with meaningful time-saving and instructional support. The session is designed for both classroom educators and educational leaders navigating AI governance and adoption.

ManACE AGM
2026-05-13 17:30 - 20:00 | SmartPark, Winnipeg
Visit ManACE – Manitoba Association of Computing Educators – Home for full details.

Victoria Day
2026-05-18

Summer Semester
2026-05-18 - 2026-05-22
Welcome to the summer semester schedule for our post-secondary students and staff!

Scholastic Esports Expo
2026-05-21 - 2026-05-22 | RRC Polytech
The inaugural Scholastic Esports Expo (SEE) took place in May of 2023. Since then, SEE has attracted 19 unique schools and over 400 attendees. Hosted at the Red River College Polytechnic’s Manitou a bi Bii daziigae building in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, the event has already led to a significant surge in MSEA membership and participation, with projected doubled registration numbers for future seasons.
◾ Each day has its own tournament, with two game titles for the Middle Years and two for the Senior Years.
◾ Schools bring one team for each title offered, playing in a round robin with three matches guaranteed, while the top teams move up towards the playoffs.
◾ There are keynotes and panel discussions to provide more information to teacher, students, and parents about various topics.

Sunrise School Division - Topic: AI
2026-05-26 | Beausejour
MERLIN will be working with Sunrise School Division on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI).
Learn more about custom training sessions by visiting our Training webpage.

Bitwarden Admin PD
2026-05-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Join MERLIN for a free virtual professional development session exploring Bitwarden Password Manager—a secure and easy-to-use platform designed to help organizations safely store, manage, and share passwords and sensitive information.
In today’s cybersecurity landscape, strong password practices are more important than ever. This one-hour session will provide an overview of Bitwarden’s core features and administrative tools, including password management best practices, secure sharing, user onboarding, enterprise policies, reporting tools, and more.
Topics will include:
• Understanding vaults and item types
• Autofill and secure password sharing
• Collections, permissions, and user management
• SSO, MFA, and authentication workflows
• Enterprise security policies and reporting
• Access Intelligence and monitoring tools
Whether you are new to Bitwarden or looking to better manage your organization’s deployment, this session is designed to help educational organizations strengthen password security while simplifying access management.
For registration details and additional information, please contact MERLIN.
Secure passwords. Stronger protection. Simpler management.

Partner Program Meeting
2026-06-04 | SmartPark, Winnipeg
Join us for the last Partner Program event of the 25/26 school year as we bring our partners together to share updates, network, and learn.
Full details will be sent out via email.
Learn more about our Partner Program by clicking HERE.

Google 2026 H2 Roadmap
2026-06-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Target Audience: IT and Instructional Leadership
Discover how Google for Education is transforming teaching and learning in 2026 and beyond. This confidential online meeting offers a first look at new features, product updates, and a chance to get your questions answered live.

Gemini in Google Classroom
2026-06-10 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Unlock the power of Gemini directly in Google Classroom!
In this one-hour webinar, you’ll discover how this seamlessly integrated tool can instantly simplify your lesson prep and boost student engagement. Learn how to create dynamic content that can be easily shared directly in Classroom with your students.
We’ll explore creative, time-saving strategies like generating personalized quizzes, crafting differentiated materials, and creating engaging audio lessons with just a single click. Join us to see how these powerful, built-in tools can transform your daily teaching workflow!

NotebookLM for Education, new features, uses and best practices
2026-06-15 17:00 - 18:00 | Virtual
Imagine a space where your documents, notes and teaching resources become a knowledge base you can query and share, but also a starting point for creating audio podcasts, study guides, infographics and many other differentiated resources, all shareable with colleagues or directly with your students. NotebookLM is the AI tool that makes all of this possible, built around your own content.
This one-hour webinar offers a complete overview of NotebookLM’s possibilities, including the platform’s new features. You will explore uses designed for both teachers and students, best practice examples, and how to integrate NotebookLM directly into Google Classroom for effective sharing with your groups.

CIRA: Canadians Connected
2026-06-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Winnipeg
Canadians Connected, CIRA’s premier event series for internet aficionados, is coming to the Peg.
The details:
What:Canadians Connected: Winnipeg, an event bringing together Canada’s internet community for networking and learning opportunities. You’ll experience:

Networking, nibbles and cocktails
A pop-up shopping experience from local .CAs
A panel discussion on digital sovereignty

Who: we hate to name-drop but…you’ll get the opportunity to network with people like:

Byron Holland and the CIRA leadership team, Courtney Comber, Elisha Dacey, Bianca Wylie and more!
Local businesses: Coconut, Souvenir Handmade, Josiah Galleries, Bunns Creek Pottery, Prairie Potions, Slow Stories, We Heart Winnipeg, Tamara Dates, Utku, Wood & Grain Winnipeg, Bead N Butter, The Butter Tart Lady and SoulStoked.

When: Thursday, June 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. CT
Where: Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 85 Israel Asper Way
Cost: Completely free, just register!

Fuel User Group Networking Luncheon - Palo Alto Networks
2026-06-23 11:30 - 13:30 | Winnipeg
Join Palo Alto Networks for the exciting re-launch of the Fuel User Group in Winnipeg!
This user group is designed for professionals interested in Palo Alto Networks products to connect, collaborate, and learn from each other. During the event, we’ll dive into discussions on the Prisma Browser and explore the Strata Cloud Manager and the Migration Tool, offering valuable insights and hands-on tips. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to expand your network, share experiences with others in the local InfoSec community.
Lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP and we look forward to seeing you there!
