Science Engagement / en From Toronto to Tuktoyaktuk: 茄子直播 faculty, students take Science Rendezvous across Canada /news/toronto-tuktoyaktuk-u-t-faculty-students-take-science-rendezvous-across-canada <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">From Toronto to Tuktoyaktuk: 茄子直播 faculty, students take Science Rendezvous across Canada</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/17-05-12%20Science%20Rendezvous%20main%201140%20x%20760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=EPsni67a 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/17-05-12%20Science%20Rendezvous%20main%201140%20x%20760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=SQFzCniS 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/17-05-12%20Science%20Rendezvous%20main%201140%20x%20760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=56eACFuB 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/17-05-12%20Science%20Rendezvous%20main%201140%20x%20760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=EPsni67a" alt="Science Rendezvous "> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Romi Levine</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-05-12T16:34:32-04:00" title="Friday, May 12, 2017 - 16:34" class="datetime">Fri, 05/12/2017 - 16:34</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Kids learned about biology at 茄子直播 Scarborough's Science Rendezvous celebrations last year (photo by Ken Jones)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Romi Levine</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ibbme" hreflang="en">IBBME</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/education" hreflang="en">Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-rendezvous" hreflang="en">Science Rendezvous</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science" hreflang="en">Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">鈥淚'm hoping we light a little spark in these kids so they can discover and learn鈥</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>It took two days and five flights for University of Toronto PhD student <strong>Daniel Szulc</strong> to get to Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories 鈥 all for the sake of science.</p> <p>Szulc is running programming for the territory鈥檚 celebration of <a href="http://www.sciencerendezvous.ca/">Science Rendezvous</a> 鈥 a Canada-wide science and engineering festival for the entire family, which takes&nbsp;place this&nbsp;Saturday. &nbsp;</p> <p>The<a href="http://www.ibbme.utoronto.ca/"> Institute of Biomaterials &amp; Biomedical Engineering</a> (IBBME) student will be flying on a tiny plane from Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik and Aklavik throughout the day, running interactive workshops for children living in remote areas so they feel included in the day-long fun. The free festival engages students of all ages.</p> <p>鈥淲e're running some demos with the classrooms where the children and students can do hands-on experiments and actually experience being a scientist,鈥 Szulc says. 鈥淚'm hoping we light a little spark in these kids so they can discover and learn.鈥</p> <h3><a href="http://www.sciencerendezvousuoft.ca/">Here's how you can celebrate Science Rendezvous at 茄子直播</a></h3> <p>He&nbsp;described the&nbsp;area he'll be working in&nbsp;as&nbsp;鈥渁bsolutely beautiful.鈥</p> <p>鈥淏ecause it's so remote, it's really difficult to get materials up here and get individuals up here so bringing science up here can allow kids to&nbsp;get a chance to interact with things that they don't normally interact with,鈥&nbsp;says&nbsp;Szulc.&nbsp;</p> <p>Science Rendezvous, now in its 10th year, was the brainchild of 茄子直播&nbsp;<a href="http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards/uprofessors.htm">University Professor</a> <strong>R. J. Dwayne Miller</strong>, who&nbsp;having been inspired by a similar event in Germany, decided to launch a festival in Canada in partnership with universities and organizations all over the country.</p> <p>At 茄子直播's downtown Toronto campus, there's plans to once again celebrate&nbsp;science in a big way. Students will get to explore outer space using virtual reality, watch an earthquake simulation and learn about edible bugs. Check out the exhibits lining St. George Street, take a tour of the campus鈥檚 state-of-the-art labs and participate in the Canada 150-themed Science Chase scavenger hunt.</p> <p>鈥淪cience is about asking questions, solving problems, challenging dogma,鈥 says <a href="http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards/uprofessors.htm">University Professor</a>&nbsp;<strong>Molly Shoichet</strong>, 茄子直播 President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>'s senior adviser&nbsp;on science and engineering engagement.&nbsp;鈥淚magine what we would be doing if we didn't? We probably would still be using leaches to cure diseases.</p> <p>鈥淪cience Rendezvous ignites that spirit of discovery, engaging us all to invent a better future.鈥</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Robots, solar cars, rockets, satellites, and drones, oh my! Come see them all at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SR2017?src=hash">#SR2017</a> this Saturday, May 13th! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OdySci?src=hash">#OdySci</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChooseScience?src=hash">#ChooseScience</a> <a href="https://t.co/kZa3aCdrCe">pic.twitter.com/kZa3aCdrCe</a></p> 鈥 SR UofT (St. George) (@UofTSR) <a href="https://twitter.com/UofTSR/status/862668731591348224">May 11, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <p>Unfortunately, 茄子直播 Scarborough鈥檚 Science Rendezvous activities, which were to take place at the Toronto Zoo, have been cancelled due to a strike.</p> <p>Last year, the festival was attended by 300,000 people. Miller, like Szulc, sees it as an opportunity to inspire a new generation to 鈥渦nleash their inner geek.鈥</p> <p>鈥淓verybody's born a scientist. Everybody's curious. We just need to get that instilled in a way that it's part of a lifelong pursuit so you stay thinking critically.鈥</p> <p>This year, all Science Rendezvous sites are taking part in a water-testing experiment.</p> <p>鈥淚t'll be a good opportunity to engage the local communities, and to get excited about water science and create a picture of the water health in Canada,鈥 says Katie Miller, Science Rendezvous鈥 executive director. 鈥淭hey will upload the results to the website. It will create an overall picture of what is going on around the country.鈥</p> <p>In the Northwest Territories, Szulc will be running the water-testing experiment and will be teaching high school students how to produce energy through water splitting.</p> <p>鈥淭hen we're having elders come in to have their perspective on water 鈥 how they assess water, really trying to create culturally-relevant programming so students can see that their culture and their life here also connects to science, and they can use science to enhance it,鈥 Szulc&nbsp;says.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TBT?src=hash">#TBT</a> to these young scientists having a great time at SR2016! Come to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SR2017?src=hash">#SR2017</a> and these fashion choices could be yours! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OdySci?src=hash">#OdySci</a> <a href="https://t.co/TBmFhbSbnH">pic.twitter.com/TBmFhbSbnH</a></p> 鈥 SR UofT (St. George) (@UofTSR) <a href="https://twitter.com/UofTSR/status/855089685542170624">April 20, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <p>Science Rendezvous is a lot of fun, but it鈥檚 also a chance for scientists to showcase their work to a wider audience, says Professor Miller.</p> <p>鈥淚t's a great opportunity for the scientists themselves to give back to the general public, tell them what they're doing with public money and explain what it's good for,鈥 he says.</p> <p>The event also helps to ignite a passion for science that many scientists feel is under threat south of the border.</p> <p>鈥淣ow more than ever it's becoming apparent at how much we need to be more active and engaging our general population,鈥 says Katie Miller. 鈥淔or a while, it was assumed it was seen as being important, and now we really need to re-engage with the general population on a regular basis and keep that importance relevant in their mind.鈥</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 12 May 2017 20:34:32 +0000 Romi Levine 107505 at Music and Science converge at 茄子直播始s Sounds of Science /news/music-and-science-converge <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Music and Science converge at 茄子直播始s Sounds of Science</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>vzaretski</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-04-22T15:57:10-04:00" title="Friday, April 22, 2016 - 15:57" class="datetime">Fri, 04/22/2016 - 15:57</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Photo by Johnny Guatto </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/jessica-lewis" hreflang="en">Jessica Lewis</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Jessica Lewis</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-music" hreflang="en">Faculty of Music</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/research-innovation" hreflang="en">Research &amp; Innovation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/top-stories" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-staff" hreflang="en">Faculty &amp; Staff</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The intersection between music and science has never sounded so cool. On May 3, audience members will have the opportunity to discover the unexplored 鈥 from seeing how an opera singer鈥檚 larynx changes during performance, to how music influences functional recovery in diseases of the brain.</p> <p><em>The Sounds of Science: Music, Technology and Medicine</em>, presented by the Faculty of Music, the Music and Health Research Collaboratory and <a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/">Science and Engineering Engagement</a>, will feature an interactive music science fair, five presentations in the style of TED Talks and a musical performance. The event will present new insight into neurologic and clinical music therapy, psychological perception, cognition processes, and the science behind elite music performance.</p> <p>The Sounds of Science&nbsp;is a free event open to the public.</p> <h2><a href="http://my.alumni.utoronto.ca/s/731/index_clean.aspx?sid=731&amp;pgid=10547&amp;gid=1&amp;cid=18484&amp;ecid=18484&amp;post_id=0">Register here</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2> <p>The event crystallized last year when Professor <strong>Molly Shoichet</strong> met with the Faculty of Music Dean <strong>Don McLean</strong>. As senior adviser on science and engineering engagement, Shoichet is excited to be working with the Faculty of Music to bring this incredible event to our community.</p> <p>鈥淚鈥檓 interested in highlighting science where it is unexpected, in exploring synergies at the intersection of different disciplines,鈥 says Shoichet. 鈥淚 myself did not realize how rich this intersection was until I embarked on this journey. I look forward to sharing it with Torontonians.鈥</p> <h4 style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;</h4> <p><iframe allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ar_EEelLX9k" width="560"></iframe></p> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="line-height: 20.8px;"><span style="line-height: 1.6;">Professor </span><strong style="line-height: 1.6;">Lee Bartel</strong><span style="line-height: 1.6;">, associate director of Music and Health Research Collaboratory, organized the event鈥檚 presentations to show a side of the school that the public may not have noticed before.</span></p> <p>鈥淵es we鈥檙e a music school that does performance but we do performance informed by technology, performance that has impact on medicine and health,鈥 he says. 鈥淧eople have always assumed that there is a link between music and health from the way music makes you feel. Now we can demonstrate that in a scientific way鈥.</p> <p>Bartel says that there are new frontiers in standard medical research that involve music and sound in a way was never anticipated. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just 鈥榤usic makes me feel happy therefore I walk faster thus my heart gets healthier,鈥 but because we are very specifically making sound in a particular way that has an indirect music-medicine affect on your brain.鈥</p> <p>The main stage performance will feature:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Linnea Thacker</strong>, who will perform Bach鈥檚 G Minor Presto on violin while her muscles and motions are synchronized with video and audio information provided by Dr. <strong>John Chong</strong>.</li> <li>Adjunct Professor<strong> Jeff Wolpert</strong>, a multi JUNO award-winning engineer, and Dr. <strong>David Alter</strong>, who will demonstrate rhythmic auditory stimulation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.</li> <li>Professor<strong> Lee Bartel</strong> will show how medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, depression and Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease can respond to brain re-regulation with sound stimulation.</li> <li>Professor <strong>Aaron Low</strong> will evaluate, in real-time, the anatomy of soprano singer, <strong>Sarah Forestieri</strong>, as she sings. Associate Professor <strong>Darryl Edwards</strong> will describe how a professional singer trains and maintains their voice.</li> <li>Dr. <strong>Michael Thaut</strong> will cap off the presentations by showing how rhythm promotes healing in Parkinson鈥檚 Disease and how the last 20 years of breakthrough research in music-based neurorehabilitation impact current developments and applications.</li> </ul> <p>Prior to performances, audience members are welcome to participate in a Science Music Fair in the main lobby foyer of the Edward Johnson Building, which will feature interactive demonstrations of new technological sound devices for therapy, gaming applications and more. Learn about the history of science in music, why our cars have been built to sound like us, and how digital audio coding works in real time. During this time, there will also be a performance of Christos Hatzis鈥 <em>Harmonia</em> with visual realization by Bruno Degazio.</p> <p>Register for the free even<i>t</i>: <a href="http://alumni.utoronto.ca/SoundsofScience">http://alumni.utoronto.ca/SoundsofScience</a> &nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 22 Apr 2016 19:57:10 +0000 vzaretski 13878 at Five visions for the future of energy: Science Literacy Week panel /news/five-visions-future-energy-science-literacy-week-panel <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Five visions for the future of energy: Science Literacy Week panel</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-09-28T03:52:34-04:00" title="Monday, September 28, 2015 - 03:52" class="datetime">Mon, 09/28/2015 - 03:52</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Ravi Seethapathy, David Zingg, Brandon Sutherland and Aziza Chaouni</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/brianna-goldberg" hreflang="en">Brianna Goldberg</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Brianna Goldberg</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/more-news" hreflang="en">More News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/engineering" hreflang="en">Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/architecture" hreflang="en">Architecture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">Canada-wide festival started by alumnus partners with 茄子直播鈥檚 Science &amp; Engineering Engagement</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div>Pond-covered parks that foster community while they clean&nbsp;waste water. Airplanes that fly&nbsp;across the ocean in formation like Canada geese. Solar cells that print&nbsp;onto paper as simply as any ink.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Those were just some of the&nbsp;visionary ideas from researchers at the University of Toronto that propelled a lively panel discussion on energy and sustainability at Isabel Bader Theatre on Sept. 24 as part of alumnus <strong>Jesse Hildebrand</strong>鈥檚 programming for <a href="http://scienceliteracy.ca/">Science Literacy Week</a>.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>茄子直播鈥檚 <a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/">Science &amp; Engineering Engagement</a> co-presented the energy discussion panel&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;<a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/event/see-u-of-t-research-healthcare-and-aging/">another on the topic of health and&nbsp;ageing</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 23.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <h2><a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/science-literacy-week-280-events-across-country">Read more about Jesse Hildebrand and Science Literacy Week</a></h2> <div>鈥淚t still amazes me, the transition we鈥檝e made to recycling,鈥 said panel moderator <strong>Ivan Semeniuk</strong>, science reporter at the <em>Globe &amp; Mail</em> and a 茄子直播 alumnus of astronomy and physics. 鈥淚f you went back 20 years and showed someone all these bins we have, no one would believe it. But it鈥檚 evidence, and so interesting to know, that the culture around sustainability can shift.鈥</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Semeniuk guided the audience through five short presentations and an audience discussion exploring ways our world might begin to make that change again, when it comes to energy sustainability on a larger scale. Speakers included <strong>Aziza Chaouni</strong>, an associate professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design; <strong>Ravi Seethapathy</strong>, an adjunct professor of electrical and computer engineering; <strong>David Zingg</strong>, professor and director of the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies; <strong>Brandon Sutherland</strong>, a PhD student in The Sargent Group from electrical and computer engineering; and Ron Oberth, president of the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>The following are a few of 茄子直播 researchers鈥 projections for the next decade in energy.<img alt="image of panelists" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-25-science-literacy-panel-2.jpg" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; width: 600px; height: 400px; margin: 10px 30px;"></div> <div><em>(Clockwise from top left: Seethapathy, Chaouni, Zingg, Semeniuk, Oberth and Sutherland)</em></div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>LEARNING HOW TO SEPARATE OUR WATER</strong></div> <div> <div>Chaouni shared creative models from her research in Morocco and across the Sahara that leverage waste water and storm water for&nbsp;sustainable, multi-use, landscape planning. Think&nbsp;recyclable plastic shells collecting runoff from storms: they can function as urban furniture but also store water for flushing toilets, irrigating landscapes and more. Chaouni said in the next 10 years water-use improvements could include an increase in systems that separate uses for potable water from&nbsp;storm runoff known as 鈥榞rey water鈥 and from 鈥榖lack water鈥 鈥 a landscape design term for sewage 鈥 allowing for drastic increases in potable water conservation. She added that changes towards mist showers, efficient faucets and toilets can also reduce domestic water use by up to 60 per cent.</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>鈥淚n the field of landscape architecture we could also imagine more bio-remediation, where portions of our parks could treat waste water,鈥 said Chaouni. Images of families picnicking in pond-covered desert parks were offered as examples of leisure settings that also perform water treatment functions. 鈥淭he actual treatment would happen in subterranean wetlands, so in a park you won鈥檛 come face to face with the bioremediation process, but you do come face to face with a landscape that allows for it.鈥</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><img alt="entire panel on stage" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-25-science-literacy-panel-4.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 400px; margin: 10px 30px;"></div> <div><strong>MATERIALS WILL BE THE GAME&nbsp;CHANGER</strong></div> <div>Seethapathy shared ideas for energy storage models that break away from the North American preference to own everything 鈥 where each house inefficiently powers its own refrigerator, etc. Instead, he offered up visions for systems that leverage community. For example, small rented energy storage cells, or solar units that could power shared assets, such as a refrigerator store where customers rent a shelf.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>鈥淢aterials, to me, are where the big game&nbsp;changer is going to come,鈥 he said. 鈥淚n the next 10 years, new materials will take us to the frontiers that we don鈥檛 have today. Energy storage will be a big equalizer.鈥</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>鈥淚magine a whole area of resilient sub-stations 鈥 a cube wherever needed rather than poles and wires sticking out of the ground,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hat innovation will all come from the materials side, provided the population reduces its energy footprint. That鈥檚 where the two sides will have to meet.鈥</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>NEW AIRPLANES, NEW WAYS OF FLYING</strong></div> <div>Zingg stressed the importance and the daunting task of reducing CO2 emissions from aircraft 鈥 especially as air travel continues to increase. A combination of regulations, economic measures, operations, biofuels and technology can all work together to reach a goal of 50 per cent total reduction by 2050, he said. But it鈥檚 going to have to happen fast.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>鈥淎n airline operates an aircraft for about 30 years, so if we want to make a difference in 2050, we have to make those changes soon,鈥 he said.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Zingg shared innovative models for ultra-efficient aircraft, including the 鈥榖lended wing body,鈥 which somewhat resembles a flying squirrel, and the 鈥榙ouble bubble鈥 which looks like two airplanes combined into one. Operational measures, such as coordinating multiple cross-Atlantic flights to travel in formation much the same way as Canada geese, could result in fuel savings of 15-20 per cent, he said.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>鈥淚f we rely on the private sector to do this, it won鈥檛 happen,鈥 he said. 鈥淎irbus and Boeing will incrementally improve&nbsp;but to see real change&nbsp;it has to be the government driving it.鈥</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Zingg stressed that significant government investment in aircraft efficiency is crucial.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><strong>A SOLAR FUTURE COVERED IN QUANTUM DOTS</strong></div> <div>Sutherland explained the three leading kinds of solar cells: silicon, perovskites and quantum colloidal dots. That last category is what The Sargent Group is exploring as it continues to publish groundbreaking research. <div><img alt="Sutherland" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-25-science-literacy-panel-3.jpg" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; width: 300px; height: 200px; margin: 10px; float: left;"> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> <div>The cheapest of the three options, colloidal dots are the only ones that can absorb the full spectrum of light, Sutherland said.</div> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>He added that while the dots can be difficult to apply on a large scale, simply adding small stickers of them on to other types of solar cells such as&nbsp;silicon, can drastically increase the base cell鈥檚 effectiveness.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 say we鈥檙e entering an entirely solar future,鈥 said Sutherland. 鈥淚t will be a hybrid future and solar will playing a bigger a part of that.鈥</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>He described the simplicity of using solar to supplement other types of power as it can be printed as an ink onto paper or other materials and&nbsp;suggested that the next decade could see lightweight solar cells added to aircraft.</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-09-25-science-literacy-panel-lead.jpg</div> </div> Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:52:34 +0000 sgupta 7303 at Science Literacy Week: 280 events across the country /news/science-literacy-week-280-events-across-country <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Science Literacy Week: 280 events across the country</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-09-18T07:57:17-04:00" title="Friday, September 18, 2015 - 07:57" class="datetime">Fri, 09/18/2015 - 07:57</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(Star image by Adam Evans via Flickr</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/brianna-goldberg" hreflang="en">Brianna Goldberg</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Brianna Goldberg</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/more-news" hreflang="en">More News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-education" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-literacy-week" hreflang="en">Science Literacy Week</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/jesse-hildebrand" hreflang="en">Jesse Hildebrand</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/faculty-arts-science" hreflang="en">Faculty of Arts &amp; Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/community" hreflang="en">Community</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">茄子直播</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">How recent grad Jesse Hildebrand launched the science festival taking over Toronto 鈥 and Canada</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Fresh from his undergraduate studies in ecology and evolutionary biology, 茄子直播 alumnus <strong>Jesse Hildebrand</strong> &nbsp;has turned his enthusiasm for science into a festival for the city.</p> <p>鈥淵ou look in a telescope and see back in time to stars that were there a million years ago,鈥 said Hildebrand, founder of Science Literacy Week. 鈥淚t gives me chills.鈥</p> <p>鈥淲ho wouldn鈥檛 want to convey that wonder to everyone? It鈥檚 natural.鈥 <a href="http://scienceliteracy.ca/">(Read more about Science Literacy Week)</a></p> <p>After childhood days of taping up posters of Australian television personality and conservationist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.australiazoo.com.au/about-us/the-irwins/steve/">Steve Irwin </a>and undergraduate years of liberating science texts from library stacks to front-lobby displays, Hildebrand鈥檚 entrepreneurial path to science leadership in 2014 led to the creation of Science Literacy Week. <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/science-literacy-week-u-t-night-sky-jurassic-park">(Read about Science Literacy Week 2014)</a></p> <p>This public event invited Toronto audiences to delight in topics often confined to textbooks and lectures: the science of space, dinosaurs and more came to life through expert-guided film screenings, lively discussion panels and stargazing. With major partners&nbsp;茄子直播, Toronto Public Libraries and York University on board, his effort was a GTA-wide success.</p> <p>But Hildebrand was determined to give his project a bigger bang this year.</p> <p>Science Literacy Week returns on Sept. 21 as an expanded Canada-wide festival with 280 events stretching from Victoria to St. John鈥檚. Forty cities and 120 partner institutions have joined.</p> <p>鈥淚鈥檓 flabbergasted how many people said yes to this event,鈥 said Hildebrand of his campaign of more than 4,500 emails. 鈥淚 got 10 yes responses for every no.鈥</p> <p>While working part-time as an educator for Ripley鈥檚 Aquarium of Canada and earning a master鈥檚 degree in science communication from England鈥檚 Open University, Hildebrand reached out to museums, libraries and researchers across the country to build the diverse program of events.</p> <p>Toronto will be studded with more than 40 activities, ranging from nature walks to 3D-printing demonstrations to lunar-eclipse-watching parties and expert-guided screenings of Jurassic World. Many are hosted by the 茄子直播.</p> <div><a href="http://scienceliteracy.ca/events/ontario-events-5/#toronto">(Read more about Science Literacy Week events in Toronto)</a></div> <div><a href="http://uoft.me/scilit2015">(Read more about Science Literacy Week events at 茄子直播)</a></div> <p>鈥淪cience and Engineering Engagement at the University of Toronto is thrilled to bring this series of events to the Toronto community,鈥 said <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/fostering-public-passion-stem"><strong>Molly Shoichet</strong>, senior advisor to 茄子直播 President <strong>Meric Gertler </strong></a>on science and engineering engagement (SEE).&nbsp;</p> <p>鈥淲ith panel discussions on such hot topics as health, aging, sustainability and energy, as well as 鈥榮cience at the movies鈥 screenings taking audiences from dinosaurs to outer space, there is definitely something for everyone.鈥</p> <div><a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/event/see-u-of-t-research-healthcare-and-aging/">(Reserve your free ticket for panel discussion on aging)</a></div> <div><a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/event/see-u-of-t-research-sustainability-and-energy/">(Reserve your free ticket for panel discussion on sustainability)</a></div> <div><a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/event/s-e-e-at-the-movies-jurassic-world/">(Reserve your ticket for SEE at the Movies: <em>Jurassic World</em>)</a></div> <div><a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/event/see-at-the-movies-contact/">(Reserve your ticket for SEE at the Movies: <em>Contact</em>)</a></div> <p>Shoichet said 茄子直播 is proud to work with an alumnus like Hildebrand to&nbsp;bring&nbsp;science to the community.</p> <p>鈥淧art of what makes the University of Toronto awesome is access to world-renowned scientists, right here on our doorstep. These events are accessible to the novice and appealing to the expert. It鈥檚 a way to learn more about our options individually and as a society, or just to have fun at the movies or staring up into the sky. We invite all of 茄子直播 to participate. Bring your friends and family.鈥</p> <p>Hildebrand credited his undergraduate astronomy professor <strong>Mike Reid </strong>for help and encouragement. Reid鈥檚 team at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics will host a Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party on Sept. 27 alongside the Science Literacy Week activities. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/756740411138420/">(Read more about the free Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party)</a></p> <p>鈥淚n high school, there鈥檚 so much buildup about how scary university鈥檚 going to be but I never really experienced that,鈥 said Hildebrand. 鈥淚 had lovely teachers throughout.鈥</p> <p>Hildebrand offered a few pieces of advice to undergrads at 茄子直播.</p> <p>鈥淭here鈥檚 a diversity of people there to help you,鈥 he said. 鈥淟ibrarians are keen to make your life easier 鈥 they are so wonderful.</p> <p>鈥淭alk with professors as much as possible. My favourite experiences in university were chatting with them one-on-one.鈥 <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/back-school-lifehacks-must-have-tips-life-u-t?utm_source=UofTHome&amp;utm_medium=WebsiteBanner&amp;utm_content=BackToSchoolLifehacks">(Read more advice for undergrads at 茄子直播)</a></p> <p>Hildebrand echoes Shoichet鈥檚 message that everyone will find something of interest in Science Literacy Week programming, insisting that 鈥渘o science background is needed.鈥</p> <p>For next year, he talks about adding cities and events, getting bigger.</p> <p>鈥淚鈥檝e been so lucky to meet all these wonderful science communicators and passionate people at museums and libraries. It would be nice if more could be done to link them and bring more science activities, more science understanding to the public. That would be my dream.鈥</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-09-18-science-literacy-week-hildebrand-resized.jpg</div> </div> Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:57:17 +0000 sgupta 7286 at Science Rendezvous 2015: solar cars, giant bubbles, melting metal and much more /news/science-rendezvous-2015-solar-cars-giant-bubbles-melting-metal-and-much-more <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Science Rendezvous 2015: solar cars, giant bubbles, melting metal and much more</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-05-20T10:04:41-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 20, 2015 - 10:04" class="datetime">Wed, 05/20/2015 - 10:04</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo above of Science Rendezvous participants and photo below of volunteers by Ingrid Grozavu)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/sarah-khan" hreflang="en">Sarah Khan</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Sarah Khan</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/features" hreflang="en">Features</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science" hreflang="en">Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/community" hreflang="en">Community</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> Each year, thousands of children and adults with an appetite for fun&nbsp;attend Science Rendezvous at the University of Toronto.&nbsp;</p> <p> This festival of all things science is the brainchild of 茄子直播 chemistry and biological physics professor <strong>Dwayne Miller</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;began as a joint program between 茄子直播, Ryerson University, York University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in 2008.</p> <p> Since then, the annual event has grown to include 40 of Canada鈥檚 top research institutions and more than 75 community partnerships across 30 cities in 10 provinces.</p> <p> At 茄子直播, the annual event is one of myriad ways the university promotes science in the community, from <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/science-history-understanding-isaac-newton">free talks in public libraries</a> to <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/science-literacy-week-u-t-night-sky-jurassic-park">Science Literacy Week events</a> on campus (to learn more, visit <a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/">Science &amp; Engineering Engagement</a>, headed by University Professor <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/molly-shoichet-wins-l-oreal-unesco-women-science-award">Molly Shoichet</a>).</p> <p> <img alt="photo of volunteers at Science Rendezvous" src="/sites/default/files/2015-05-20-science-rendezvous-embed.jpg" style="width: 625px; height: 415px; margin: 10px 25px;"></p> <p> This year, <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/stolen-crystals-and-exploding-fruit-science-rendezvous-u-t">茄子直播鈥檚 Science Rendezvous</a> welcomed an estimated 15,000&nbsp;people to the&nbsp;University of Toronto Scarborough campus and to St. George street downtown, which was closed to traffic. If you missed this year鈥檚 event, here are some highlights:</p> <p> <iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="no" height="750" src="//storify.com/UofT/robots-explosions-bubbles/embed?border=false" width="100%"></iframe><script src="//storify.com/UofT/robots-explosions-bubbles.js?border=false"></script></p><noscript>[<a href="https://storify.com/UofT/robots-explosions-bubbles" target="_blank">View the story "Highlights from Science Rendezvous at 茄子直播" on Storify</a>]</noscript> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-05-20-science-rendezvous-lead.jpg</div> </div> Wed, 20 May 2015 14:04:41 +0000 sgupta 7024 at 茄子直播 program provides national leadership on science and engineering engagement /news/u-t-program-provides-national-leadership-science-and-engineering-engagement <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">茄子直播 program provides national leadership on science and engineering engagement</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-04-17T06:09:43-04:00" title="Friday, April 17, 2015 - 06:09" class="datetime">Fri, 04/17/2015 - 06:09</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Participants in last year's 茄子直播 Science Leadership Program take part in a creative thinking exercise</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/laurie-stephens" hreflang="en">Laurie Stephens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Laurie Stephens</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/more-news" hreflang="en">More News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ibbme" hreflang="en">IBBME</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/engineering" hreflang="en">Engineering</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> This month, 20 top researchers from across Canada get the opportunity to polish their communication and leadership skills at the University of Toronto鈥檚 2015 <a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/slp/">Science Leadership Program</a> (SLP).</p> <p> It's&nbsp;an intensive two-day experience that equips participants with the tools to promote the importance of their research to the public, the media and government decision-makers.</p> <p> Directed by<a href="http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards/uprofessors.htm"> University of Toronto Professor</a> <strong>Molly Shoichet </strong>&nbsp;of chemical engineering and&nbsp;IBBME, senior advisor to the president on Science and Engineering Engagement, the program welcomes invited scientists from research-intensive institutions&nbsp;鈥&nbsp;including the universities of Calgary, Waterloo, McGill, Ottawa, Manitoba, York, as well as 茄子直播&nbsp;鈥&nbsp;to take part in a series of hands-on training sessions, discussion panels and interactive opportunities.&nbsp;Now in its third year, the program is sponsored by Science &amp; Engineering Engagement at 茄子直播 and the Connaught Fund.</p> <p> 鈥淭he program is designed to give professors, in a diversity of science and engineering fields, the opportunity to hone their leadership and communication skills,鈥 says Shoichet, a recipient of this year鈥檚 prestigious <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/molly-shoichet-wins-l-oreal-unesco-women-science-award">L鈥橭r茅al-UNESCO for Women in Science Award</a>. 鈥淲e are bringing in experts from around the world to lead several interactive workshops, while at the same time we鈥檙e giving professors the chance to test their skills on expert communicators.鈥</p> <p> The program, from April 22 to&nbsp;24, is intense. Participants will take part in practical training sessions on outreach, leadership and communications. Nancy Houfek, formerly from the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, will teach participants how to best use their voice and body. A session by The Barefoot Company will teach them how to articulate ideas most effectively and how to lead a research team of different personalities.</p> <p> Ivan Semeniuk, a veteran science reporter at the<em> Globe and Mail</em>, will deliver a talk called 鈥淪cience Communications Primer鈥 that examines what makes scientists and journalists the same, yet different, in their quest for truth. His talk will be followed by a panel discussion with leading communicators on effective story-telling and how to keep the message on point when speaking to the public, media and government.</p> <p> Launched in 2013, the Science Leadership Program is part of 茄子直播鈥檚 <a href="http://scienceengagement.utoronto.ca/">Science and Engineering Engagement program</a>, an initiative that aims to raise awareness of 茄子直播鈥檚 teaching and research strengths in science and engineering.</p> <p> The SLP is the only one of its kind in Canada and among a handful throughout North America. Each year, 茄子直播 selects 20 applicants to take part in the program who are typically professors in the early- or mid-stage of their careers in science, engineering, social science or medicine.</p> <p> One of this year鈥檚 participants, Professor <strong>Naomi Matsuura</strong> from the 茄子直播 Faculty of Medicine, is widely recognized as an expert in cancer nanotechnology. Also cross-appointed to the department of materials science and&nbsp;engineering, her research explores how medical imaging radiation and new materials can interact and be used to detect and treat cancer.</p> <p> As a scientist, Matsuura confesses that she has had challenges in trying to explain her complex research to lay people while staying true to its scientific authenticity. But a key motivation for applying to the SLP is her realization that scientists need to help the public understand why research matters, especially in light of recent government cuts to the funding of basic research.</p> <p> 鈥淚 applied to this program to learn how to better communicate the expected advances that will arise from publicly funded research such as my own, so that the general public, who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of our research, will come to appreciate and, hopefully lobby for, continued high-level basic research initiatives in Canada,鈥 she says.</p> <p> Professor David Cramb, head of the department of chemistry at the University of Calgary, is a much sought-after lecturer on the study of nanoscience. His research involves using fluorescence and molecular-scale imaging technology to assess the therapeutic potential of nanoparticles and track toxicological risk factors in avian and aquatic species.</p> <p> Cramb says he applied to the SLP to gain more experience in talking about science policy with the media, politicians and the general public. He is most excited about 鈥渕eeting like-minded people who are passionate about telling the great stories of Canadian science.鈥</p> <p> Professor <strong>Edmond Young</strong>, who joined 茄子直播鈥檚 department of mechanical and&nbsp;industrial engineering in January 2013, had heard great things about the program from his colleagues who had taken part in previous years, and he wanted to experience it himself.</p> <p> 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping to broaden my horizons beyond the scientific work, and become better at seeing the bigger picture,鈥 says Young, whose award-winning research focuses on creating engineered models that mimic the cell and tissue microenvironments of the body. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very important to engage the public and keep them informed about all the exciting research work that鈥檚 being done, and how it can impact their daily lives.鈥</p> <p> Shoichet is encouraging all of the invitees to come with 鈥渁n open mind and soak up as much of the program鈥 as they can.</p> <p> 鈥淭his program is designed to enhance our skills, develop our thinking and ultimately give us the tools to be more effective in research and its communication,鈥 she says. 鈥淭here is a fantastic group coming this year&nbsp;鈥&nbsp;I鈥檓 looking forward to getting to know them all.鈥</p> <p> Participants in the 2015 Science Leadership Program include:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Morgan Barense</strong>, associate professor, psychology and&nbsp;Baycrest RRI; CRC, University of Toronto</li> <li> Xudong Cao,professor; assistant director, chemical and&nbsp;biological engineering, University of Ottawa</li> <li> David Cramb, professor; head of chemistry, University of Calgary</li> <li> Annemieke Farenhorst, professor, soil science; Prairie NSERC Chair for Women in Science &amp; Engineering, University of Manitoba</li> <li> <strong>Guy Faulkner</strong>, professor, Faculty of&nbsp;Kinesiology &amp; Physical Education, University of Toronto</li> <li> Michel Fich, professor, physics and&nbsp;astronomy, University of Waterloo</li> <li> <strong>Tara Gomes,</strong> scientist; assistant professor, pharmacy, St. Michael鈥檚 Hospital; University of Toronto</li> <li> Jane Heffernan, associate professor, mathematics and&nbsp;statistics; York Research Chair, York University</li> <li> <strong>Naomi Matsuura</strong>, assistant professor, medical imaging/materials science and&nbsp;engineering, University of Toronto</li> <li> <strong>Mandy Meriano,</strong> senior lecturer, environmental science, University of Toronto Scarborough</li> <li> <strong>Joshua Milstein</strong>, assistant professor, chemical and&nbsp;physical sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga</li> <li> <strong>Stella Ng</strong>, director, research and&nbsp;scientist, Centre for Faculty Development, Medicine, University of Toronto</li> <li> <strong>Navindra Persaud</strong>, lecturer, family and&nbsp;community medicine, University of Toronto</li> <li> <strong>Mary Pugh</strong>, associate professor, mathematics, University of Toronto</li> <li> Nathaniel Quitoriano, assistant professor, materials engineering, McGill University</li> <li> <strong>Tom Schweizer</strong>, director, neuroscience research program; assistant professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering and neurosurgery, St. Michael鈥檚 Hospital; University of Toronto</li> <li> <strong>Adam Steinberg</strong>, assistant professor, Institute for Aerospace Studies, University of Toronto</li> <li> <strong>Franco Taverna</strong>, senior lecturer, human biology program, University of Toronto</li> <li> <strong>Edmond Young</strong>, associate professor, mechanical and&nbsp;industrial engineering, University of Toronto</li> </ul> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-04-16-science-leadership.jpg</div> </div> Fri, 17 Apr 2015 10:09:43 +0000 sgupta 6959 at Science Literacy Week at 茄子直播: from the night sky to Jurassic Park /news/science-literacy-week-u-t-night-sky-jurassic-park <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Science Literacy Week at 茄子直播: from the night sky to Jurassic Park</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2014-10-08T05:51:52-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 8, 2014 - 05:51" class="datetime">Wed, 10/08/2014 - 05:51</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Science literacy empowers people to think sceptically about scientific claims, and to appreciate the nature of scientific inquiry and discovery," says Jesse Hildebrand (photo by Liz Do)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/liz-do" hreflang="en">Liz Do</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Liz Do</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/features" hreflang="en">Features</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science" hreflang="en">Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/education" hreflang="en">Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/community" hreflang="en">Community</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> When <strong>Jesse Hildebrand </strong>witnessed a seventh-grader visiting the <a href="http://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/">Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library </a>to tour some of the most important scientific books ever produced, he knew he was on to something special with Science Literacy Week.</p> <p> It was a familiar scene to Hildebrand. When he was little, all he had to do was express the slightest interest in a topic and his parents would take him to the library to find out more.</p> <p> Their efforts spawned not only a lifelong love of science, but of communicating it&nbsp;鈥 leading alumnus&nbsp;Hildebrand to help create <a href="http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/programming/2014/09/science-literacy-week-september-22-29.html">Science Literacy Week</a>.</p> <p> 鈥溓炎又辈 is in a perfect position to demonstrate&nbsp;the importance of science,<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">鈥</span> said Hildebrand. 鈥滻t houses some of the best science faculty, research facilities and students in the world and occupies a central position in the largest city in Canada.鈥</p> <p> From September 22-28, the inaugural Science Literacy Week took place at 茄子直播, with a focus on the theme 鈥榃onder and Scepticism.鈥 Spearheaded by Hildebrand and 茄子直播 Libraries, in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library and York University, the city-wide event offered public access to documentary screenings, book displays, lectures and more, showcasing all things science 鈥 from palaeontology to astronomy.</p> <p> 鈥淪upporting science engagement publicly, especially for&nbsp;as prominent an institution as 茄子直播, makes people recognize just how important and fascinating science is,鈥 said Hildebrand.</p> <p> Lectures at the Gerstein Library 鈥 featuring fun topics such as 鈥楩act and Fiction in Jurassic Park鈥 and the misconceptions of the Big Bang Theory 鈥 were particularly popular. Also a big hit were the science demonstrations, including an opportunity for the public to observe the night sky and beyond at the McLennan Physics Building.</p> <p> Science Literacy Week has been a passion project for Hildebrand, who started working on the event right after his very last class at 茄子直播.&nbsp;He believes science literacy is more important than it has ever been.</p> <p> 鈥淪cience forms the backbone of a great deal of our everyday experience,鈥 said Hildebrand. 鈥淚 think just as literacy enables you to understand the language that forms the basis of our society, science literacy empowers people to think sceptically about scientific claims, and to appreciate the nature of scientific inquiry and discovery.鈥</p> <p> Those sentiments are echoed by world-renowned regenerative medicine expert, <strong>Molly Shoichet</strong>, recently appointed as the senior advisor on science and engineering engagement at 茄子直播. (<a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/fostering-public-passion-stem">Read more about the appointment</a>.)</p> <p> 鈥淪o many decisions and policies are made without sufficient scientific process and basis. Science literacy is the basis of our lives and critical to making the best decisions that will influence our lives now and in the future,鈥 said Shoichet. 鈥淚t is fantastic to have people like Jesse collaborate with our librarians across 茄子直播 and the city of Toronto to highlight the curiosity that is the basis of all scientific research.鈥</p> <p> With the early success of Science Literacy Week, Hildebrand, who studied ecology and evolutionary biology at 茄子直播, hopes to turn the event into a Canada-wide initiative to spread the message of science literacy and engagement.</p> <p> 鈥淚'd like to expand it a great deal, both in spreading the central idea and activities behind this year's event across the country and in expanding the roster and size of events here in Toronto,鈥 he said. 鈥淎s for talking to potential participants for next year and in trying to make more events happen here 鈥 well, that's already begun.鈥</p> <p> <em>Liz Do writes about education for 茄子直播 News.</em></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2014-10-08-science-literacy-hildebrand.jpg</div> </div> Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:51:52 +0000 sgupta 6545 at Bill Nye on science literacy and his upcoming visit to 茄子直播 /news/bill-nye-science-literacy-and-his-upcoming-visit-u-t <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Bill Nye on science literacy and his upcoming visit to 茄子直播</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2014-09-26T06:52:43-04:00" title="Friday, September 26, 2014 - 06:52" class="datetime">Fri, 09/26/2014 - 06:52</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/liz-do" hreflang="en">Liz Do</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Liz Do</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/features" hreflang="en">Features</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/space" hreflang="en">Space</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science" hreflang="en">Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">Science: "It鈥檚 the best idea humans have ever had. It鈥檚 how we know nature and our place in the universe."</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> <em>For many kids who grew up in the 90s, one of the joys of science class was seeing a TV trolley wheeled in, with an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy ready to go.&nbsp;</em></p> <p> <em>Since then, Bill Nye鈥檚 impact on science education has grown beyond the walls of science class.</em></p> <p> <em>The scientist, comedian, writer, television personality and former engineer&nbsp;now engages the public in&nbsp;the wonders of science through <a href="http://planetary.org/">The Planetary Society</a>, the world鈥檚 largest space interest group.</em></p> <p> <em>On October 1, The Planetary Society, along with Nye and special guests, will be at Convocation Hall to discuss and celebrate Canada鈥檚 space program as part of the <a href="http://www.iac2014.org/">International Astronautical Congress</a>.</em></p> <p> <em>The event comes on the heels of&nbsp;<a href="http://guides.library.utoronto.ca/scienceliteracy">Science Literacy Week (September 22-28)</a>. </em>S<em>pearheaded by alumnus J<strong>esse Hildebrand</strong> and 茄子直播 Libraries 鈥 and in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library and York University 鈥 Science Literacy Week is a city-wide event that offers public access to documentary screenings, book displays and lectures, among other offerings, to showcase the field of science in its many forms.&nbsp;</em></p> <p> <em>Writer <strong>Liz Do</strong> spoke to Nye about the importance of science literacy, as well as the upcoming event at Convocation Hall.</em><br> <br> <strong>What contributions have Canadians made to space science?</strong><br> I remind Canadians that they should be very proud of their space agency. The Canadian Space Agency manages to get itself on so many space missions and Canada provides so much ground support for so many people around the world.</p> <p> Canadians are involved in developing a lot of space instruments: there鈥檚 a Canadian instrument on the <a href="http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/mars/apxs.asp">Curiosity Rover</a>, and there鈥檚 a Canadian instrument on Maven, which got captured in Mars鈥 orbit recently.&nbsp;Canada also participated on Hayabusa [an unmanned spacecraft], which went past Venus. There are also a great number of communication and weather satellites that the Canadian Space Agency is involved in.&nbsp;</p> <p> And, who doesn鈥檛 love Chris Hadfield? When you put humans in space, you really engage people.</p> <p> <strong>It鈥檚 Science Literacy Week here at 茄子直播. Who or what got you fascinated by science?&nbsp;</strong><br> I do remember, very well, being fascinated by bees. I sat and watched bumblebees for days. They鈥檇 fly and hover and fly back to fill up their pollen baskets from azalea flowers, and then go flying off again and come back鈥 I got to a point where I was convinced I was seeing the same bee coming and going from the flowers.</p> <p> When I got stung by a bee, my mom put ammonia on it, and then my brother, who had a chemistry kit, made ammonia. I remember thinking, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 the coolest thing. There鈥檚 some amazing connection between chemistry and the universe.鈥 My grandfather was also an organic chemist, and my mom gave me his glassware to play with.</p> <p> When it came time to make choices, like when you鈥檙e in first grade and the teacher asks you 鈥榙o you want to do science or do you want to colour?鈥 I would want to do the science thing. I remember [my teacher] teaching us about Oases 鈥 when water can flow underground 鈥 and I thought that that was amazing!</p> <p> <strong>If I put that question to science students here, they might tell me that Bill Nye the Science Guy had something to do with their interest.&nbsp;</strong><br> That鈥檚 pretty cool. That鈥檚 the goal!</p> <p> <strong>As Bill Nye the Science Guy you made science so accessible and exciting. What influenced the approach to the show?</strong><br> Well any television show, and this is lost on some people, has to be entertaining first. A lot of people take what they do very seriously, and they figure it鈥檚 just up to the audience to be entertained. But making things funny is hard, or it can be hard. You can pretend to be serious, but you cannot pretend to be funny.&nbsp;</p> <p> And teaching, in my opinion, is a performing art. That may be obvious, but not to everybody.</p> <p> <strong>Science Literacy Week includes virtual exhibits featuring recommended books, podcasts and videos. What are you reading right now?</strong><br> I鈥檓 reading a book that鈥檚 coming out soon called, <em>The Moral Arc of Science</em> by Michael Shermer. He argues that science is what makes us more civilized; it鈥檚 very cool.</p> <p> And my book is coming out in November, it鈥檚 called <em>Undeniable: Evolution and The Science of Creation</em>. I would call it a primer on evolution 鈥 natural selection, sexual selection, homology. I also talk at length about <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/5/bill-nye-the-science-guy-defends-evolution-at-kent/">that debate in Kentucky</a>.</p> <p> <strong>How important is science literacy?</strong><br> When it鈥檚 time to vote, when it鈥檚 time to influence policy, we need voters who can think critically and understand the reasonableness of scientific arguments.&nbsp;</p> <p> It鈥檚 more important than it鈥檚 ever been in my lifetime, that鈥檚 for sure.</p> <p> <strong>In the last year, both <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/science-superstar-neil-degrasse-tyson-thrills-sold-out-dunlap-prize-lecture">Neil deGrasse Tyson</a> and <a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/hey-hey-spaceman-chris-hadfield-sends-u-t-students-over-moon">Chris Hadfield </a>visited 茄子直播 to give lectures to our students, and both events were sold out within hours. They鈥檝e become science figureheads in pop culture, thanks to their ability to engage with the public through television and social media. Do you think this fascination with science is going to stay or grow in pop culture?</strong></p> <p> I鈥檓 working hard to make it grow through my work with the Planetary Society 鈥 where Neil is a board member, by the way. We work as hard as we can to promote science literacy, because for me, it鈥檚 in the best interest for all of humankind.&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>Yet scepticism of science is quite pervasive today, whether it鈥檚 denying climate change, or evolution. Is it frustrating to have to publicly shoulder much of this debate? Is there value in having this debate?</strong><br> We want as many people to be aware of [climate change] as possible, and be aware of the debate. I think that, a century from now, there will be a lot less of this 鈥 denial of climate change, denial of evolution.&nbsp;</p> <p> But you鈥檝e got to work with what you鈥檝e got, both where and when you were born. I鈥檓 living in a time where we have these fantastically difficult problems to solve around the world 鈥 climate change being the most serious 鈥 and we have a bunch of people who are voters who don鈥檛 believe that it鈥檚 an important problem. And some people are using an old trick where you take scientific uncertainty, and convert that into your listener鈥檚 mind to doubt the whole thing.&nbsp;</p> <p> The problem is, we have seven&nbsp;billion people, and the atmosphere is barely the thickness of a layer of varnish on a classroom globe 鈥 all these people trying to breathe and burn the same atmosphere.&nbsp;</p> <p> But you have to be optimistic. You have to go into it like we鈥檙e going to solve this.&nbsp;</p> <p> <strong>Last question 鈥 simply put, why should we get excited about science?</strong><br> It鈥檚 the best idea humans have ever had. It鈥檚 how we know nature and our place in the universe. Science is what brings us all the technology and food that we rely on for our extraordinary quality of life. Without science, no one would live nearly as well as he or she does right now.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2014-09-26-billnye.jpg</div> </div> Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:52:43 +0000 sgupta 6513 at Fostering a public passion for STEM /news/fostering-public-passion-stem <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Fostering a public passion for STEM</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2014-09-18T06:16:49-04:00" title="Thursday, September 18, 2014 - 06:16" class="datetime">Thu, 09/18/2014 - 06:16</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/liz-do" hreflang="en">Liz Do</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/althea-blackburn-evans-files-liz-do" hreflang="en">Althea Blackburn-Evans with files from Liz Do</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/althea-blackburn-evans" hreflang="en">Althea Blackburn-Evans</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/althea-blackburn-evans" hreflang="en">Althea Blackburn-Evans</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Althea Blackburn-Evans with files from Liz Do</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/top-stories" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science" hreflang="en">Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/engineering" hreflang="en">Engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/community" hreflang="en">Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item"> Molly Shoichet to lead 茄子直播鈥檚 science and engineering engagement activities</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p> <strong>Molly Shoichet</strong>,&nbsp;the world-renowned expert in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, is&nbsp;the University of Toronto President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>鈥檚 new senior advisor on science and engineering engagement.&nbsp;</p> <p> Shoichet, who says she has been fascinated by science since she was six years old, hopes to motivate the next generation to pursue science, technology, engineering and math.&nbsp;</p> <p> 鈥淚t is the 鈥榞eeks鈥 who change the world,鈥 said Shoichet, about the message she wants to tell young people. 鈥淓mbrace the geek in you, make a difference, and tell people about it.鈥</p> <p> In her new role, Shoichet will be collaborating with 茄子直播 colleagues to communicate the excitement of their discoveries with the public. 茄子直播鈥檚 science engagement initiatives include building partnerships for delivering science outreach programs; highlighting ongoing 茄子直播 lectures and public events; and coordinating a wide range of professional development and leadership opportunities, including an annual Science Leadership program for faculty members offered in April 2015, and a science journalism course for graduate students taught by Globe and Mail science writer Ivan Semeniuk. &nbsp;</p> <p> 鈥淭he goal is to bring people who are curious and engaged in the community into our world, and raise their awareness of the fantastic work being done at the University of Toronto 鈥 and across Canada,鈥 said Shoichet.</p> <p> Through her new role, Shoichet will support the upcoming Science Literacy Week at 茄子直播, which takes place September 22-28. Spearheaded by alumnus <strong>Jesse Hildebrand</strong> and 茄子直播 Libraries 鈥 and in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library and York University 鈥 Science Literacy Week is a city-wide event that offers public access to documentary screenings, book displays and lectures, among other offerings, to showcase the field of science in its many forms.&nbsp;</p> <p> 鈥淪cience Literacy Week is a wonderful way to engage the Toronto public and 茄子直播 community in the wonders of science,鈥 said Shoichet.&nbsp;</p> <p> For more details on Science Literacy Week, visit: <a href="http://guides.library.utoronto.ca/scienceliteracy">http://guides.library.utoronto.ca/scienceliteracy</a>.</p> <p> Internationally regarded for her lab鈥檚 ground-breaking research, Shoichet is a member of the Order of Ontario and holds the distinction as the only person to be a Fellow of Canada鈥檚 three national academies: the Royal Society of Canada, the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.&nbsp;</p> <p> A University Professor 鈥 <a href="http://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards/uprofessors.htm">茄子直播鈥檚 most distinguished rank</a> 鈥 Shoichet holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Tissue Engineering and is a professor of chemical engineering and applied chemistry, chemistry and biomaterials and biomedical engineering. Her work focuses on polymers for drug delivery and regeneration 鈥 materials that promote healing in the body.&nbsp;</p> <p> Shoichet currently leads a multidisciplinary team of researchers working on a range of projects, from approaches to brain and spinal cord regeneration to new drug delivery methods for treating cancer. She has published more than&nbsp;400 papers, patents and abstracts and founded two spin-off companies from her research. &nbsp;</p> <p> 鈥淚 am delighted and grateful that Professor Shoichet has taken on this new responsibility,鈥 said President Gertler. 鈥淪he brings to the position immense talent and accomplishment, not only as a world-renowned scientist and innovator, but also as a teacher, mentor, and communicator. She is also a leading public-policy advisor on science, technology, and innovation.&nbsp;</p> <p> "Science literacy is one of the core competencies we need, to advance our shared prosperity and to help build a happier, better world. Molly Shoichet is a powerful advocate of this crucial cause.鈥</p> <p> For more information about 茄子直播鈥檚 science engagement initiatives, visit: <a href="http://www.scienceengagement.utoronto.ca">www.scienceengagement.utoronto.ca</a></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2014-09-18-shoichet.jpg</div> </div> Thu, 18 Sep 2014 10:16:49 +0000 sgupta 6497 at Speed dating, Dragon鈥檚 Den and scientists by the dozen at CSWA conference /news/speed-dating-dragon-den-and-scientists-dozen-cswa-conference <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Speed dating, Dragon鈥檚 Den and scientists by the dozen at CSWA conference</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2014-06-11T08:57:47-04:00" title="Wednesday, June 11, 2014 - 08:57" class="datetime">Wed, 06/11/2014 - 08:57</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/elaine-smith" hreflang="en">Elaine Smith</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Elaine Smith</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/more-news" hreflang="en">More News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/science-engagement" hreflang="en">Science Engagement</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">茄子直播 hosts Canadian Science Writers' Association </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Did you know that wood residue can be used to manufacture automobile engine covers or that honeybees can recognize their half-sisters living two hives distant?</p> <p>If you did, there鈥檚 a good chance you took part in the Science Speed Dating session at the Canadian Science Writers' Association (CSWA) annual meeting hosted by the University of Toronto Science Engagement from June 5 to 8.</p> <p>The conference featured more than two dozen researchers from 茄子直播 and other Toronto institutions who participated in lectures, panel discussions, facility tours and sessions such as speed dating, where scientists had five minutes to interest writers in their research, and a facsimile of the Dragon鈥檚 Den television show that allowed journalists to decide whether a researcher鈥檚 pitch sounded viable or not.</p> <p>Participants were enthusiastic about the offerings.</p> <p>鈥淚鈥檓 not sure that there鈥檚 any ONE thing that I enjoyed most,鈥 said Altaira Northe, a medical writer for the <a href="http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/Pages/default.aspx">AboutKidsHealth program</a> at SickKids Hospital. 鈥淭he sessions were so rich.</p> <p>"I just love being around scientists and research in general; it has a certain energy and excitement that can鈥檛 be matched elsewhere.鈥</p> <p>Other panels showcased science communicators and provided professional development opportunities for attendees, something Melinda Knox, one of the editors of the research magazine at Queen鈥檚 University, appreciated.</p> <p>鈥淭he social media panel featuring three 'gurus' in the field was particularly interesting, especially the discussions centred on how to measure 'success' on these platforms,鈥 said Knox via email. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 not a numbers game; instead you need to evaluate if your audience is actually engaged with the content you are putting out.鈥</p> <p>Meeting attendees also had the opportunity to tour various university and teaching hospital research facilities, including the Toronto Rehabilitation&nbsp;Institute and the 茄子直播 Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). Photo tweets from UTIAS flew fast and furiously, with participants exclaiming about the opportunities to try a flight simulator, watch flying robotic vehicles and visit the wind tunnel.</p> <p>Professor <strong>Ray Jayawardhana</strong>, the senior advisor on science engagement to President&nbsp;<strong>Meric Gertler,</strong> and the driving force behind bringing the CSWA meeting to the University of Toronto, said the appeal of the panels, tours, and interactive sessions showcased the breadth of research taking place at 茄子直播.</p> <p>鈥淭he scientists were able to connect the research to people鈥檚 lives, which makes for compelling stories,鈥 he said.&nbsp;</p> <p>Jayawardhana, an astrophysicist, was delighted to be able to bring scientists and communicators together in a setting that allowed for meaningful conversation.</p> <p>鈥淭he intimacy and the immediacy of the sessions were really valuable,鈥 he said. 鈥淐ommunicators were able to ask the scientists direct questions and get new insights into a variety of frontier research topics.鈥</p> <p>Professor <a href="http://deibert.citizenlab.org/"><strong>Ron Deibert</strong></a>, director of 茄子直播's Citizen Lab, delivered the luncheon address on the&nbsp;second day of the conference, and he held the audience spellbound with his analysis of the growing power of the state in cyberspace and the way they are changing the face of online communications. Participants were reluctant to curtail their questions in order to attend the afternoon sessions.</p> <p>鈥淚t was illuminating to hear Professor Deibert highlight the impact 9/11 had on the governance of cyberspace and, more important, the implications for journalists and for our day-to-day lives,鈥 said <strong>Helen Lasthiotakis</strong>, assistant dean of arts and science, who was instrumental in organizing the program.</p> <p>鈥淚 think that the 茄子直播's commitment to scientists communicating better 鈥 &nbsp;yes, I am speaking about the Science Leadership Program 鈥 showed itself in the quite accomplished way its professors and researchers spoke and described their research,鈥 said Stephen Strauss, CSWA president. 鈥淢y guess is that members of CSWA who are information officers may well go back to their institutions with a sense that they want to make their professors and grad students as good communicators as those they saw at the 茄子直播.鈥</p> <p>If so, the hosts&nbsp;will have accomplished one of their goals: 鈥渞einforcement that for science and science engagement, the University of Toronto is the place to be.鈥</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2014-06-11-science-speed-dating.jpg</div> </div> Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:57:47 +0000 sgupta 6263 at