SPACE

Speaker: Adrienne Scott

Talk Title: How to Win at Transit: A New Era of Competitive Gameplay for Public Transit Aficionados.

Abstract: Have you been feeling a bit bleh recently? Looking for a new way to maintain your competitive spirit between intramural seasons? Or simply wanting to enhance your resumé? I would like to present to you the Transit app. A free, eco-friendly way to gameify your everyday life (way better than romanticizing imo). I will teach you the secrets of the Transit points system so that you, too, can soar to the top of the rankings.

Date: May 28th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104

Speaker: Anne Najdzionek

Talk Title: Cat Coat Genetics

Abstract: An overview of the genetics that contribute to cat coat colours and patterns. Why Torties and Calicos are almost exclusively female. Why most orange cats are male. Why all orange cats have tabby markings. Why most all-white cats with blue eyes are deaf.

Date: June 4th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104

Speaker: Max Kurzner

Talk Title: How to give a talk with CONFIDENCE (AKA Max’s Declassified Grad School Survival Guide)

Abstract: As graduate students, we are bestowed with a mystical power: the ability to talk about absolutely anything with unwarranted confidence and a handful of buzzwords. In this talk, I will put that power to the ultimate test by delivering a fully improvised presentation based on a set of slides I have hitherto never seen before. No preparation. No prior knowledge. No shame. Just raw academic instinct and a faint hope that this doesn’t end in complete disaster. Along the way you’ll learn, and realize that you(yes YOU!)  too are now qualified to give a presentation on any topic (including but not limited to: Quantum entanglement, The mating habits of sea cucumbers and the subtleties of the European sovereign debt crisis. All thanks to grad school!

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop a heightened tolerance for academic nonsense (which may be high already).
• Discover your inner ability to improvise under pressure while making it sound like a research seminar.( it’s just too easy!)
• Witness the fragile boundary between confidence and chaos (♪ Because you’re mine, I walk the line! – Johnny Cash ♪)
• Gain the assurance that no matter how unprepared you feel, someone else is probably winging it harder (In this case it me, I am the one winging it).
• Leave with the unshakable belief that you, too, can give a talk on anything… as long as nobody asks questions (Questions are highly encouraged for this presentation though!)

Date: June 11th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104 (Near the Elliot building, where the construction is happening)

Speaker: Bryn Lonsbrough

Talk Title: Slaying the Leviathan

Abstract: The concepts of justice, peace, and security have been used to justify absolute authority of a state over its people. From singular heads of state such as kings and emperors to representative bodies as found in republics and democracies, the story is the same. I will present the Hobbesian argument for why such a state is necessary and provide a set of perspectives contrary to the premise and conclusions found in an argument for the concept of a leviathan. My hope is to convey that an absolute authority is deeply flawed and requires a perpetual judgement of the commonwealth based on cooperation and the common will.

Date: June 24th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104

Speaker: Branden Aitken

Talk Title: How to Navigate Dungeons and Slay Dragons 

Abstract: Dungeons and Dragons is a table top roleplaying game first released in 1974.  After releasing many new editions, D&D 5e has become one of the most popular games in the genre.  I will discuss major components of the game that will have you excited and ready to show up to your first table.  These topics include basic rules, character creation, and early advice for roleplaying a character. 

Date: July 2nd, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104

Speaker: William Harvey

Talk Title: A Guide to Good Video Game Graphics on PC

Abstract: As PC gaming continues to gain popularity over any & all consoles, the importance of graphics optimization for a wide variety of configurations and displays becomes more important with each passing year. Due to such variance in both hardware & software, it is an essentially impossible task for the vast majority of games to work right out of the box, and a full on miracle if they work well. Which graphics settings should I use? What’s upscaling? What’s HDR? What’s a “variable refreshrate?” “Is ray-tracing really worth it?” “Is frame generation a scam?” And “how was the game meant to look” are all individual questions among a sea of many more which burden the user and keep them away from what matters — the games themselves. Today, I’d like to deliver a semi-comprehensive, but hopefully accessible, breakdown regarding various practices to help you get the most out of your current PC builds (or give food for thought for imminent upgrading) and to maximize the overall visual presentation of the games you play as simply & straightforwardly as possible.

Date: July 16th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104

Speaker: Breanna Crompvoets

Talk Title: An Astronomer’s Guide to Poetry

Abstract: Walt Whitman’s “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” is an inspiration for my forays into poetry as Freud is an inspiration for psychology, which is to say, it provides a vehement desire to prove him wrong. Whenever I would tell folks I was studying physics, I always got responses of “I hated physics” or “you must be really smart,” but never did I really hear any positive resonance. This comes down to both the audience’s willingness to listen, but also our ability as scientists to communicate our ideas. In this talk, I’ll go over how the poet’s appreciation of science has shifted in recent decades and what that looks like, as well as tips on how to write poetry that I’ve picked up over the last couple years.

Date: July 23rd, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104

Speaker: Dr. Blake Ledger

Talk Title: MSc in Mixology

Abstract: Mixology is the art and science of mixing drinks and creating cocktails. I plan to take us on an interstellar journey to where cocktails meet cosmology. In this spirit-filled presentation, I’ll explain the basics of cocktail crafting, share the scientific equipment you will need for your mixing endeavors, and tell you why ice is the unsung hero of the universe. Chat GPT tells me that we can make some space-themed concoctions like the “Dark Matter Daiquiri,” “Cosmospolitan,” and the dangerously unstable “Neutron Star Negroni”, but I might just stick to the basics and leave the creativity for those more daring than myself. During the presentation, I will demonstrate the creation of a tasty mocktail with enough for the audience to indulge in after the show.

Date: July 30th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ECS 104

Speaker: Dr. Akshara Viswanathan

Talk Title: Flexibility sports for rigid people

Abstract: TBD

Date: August 6th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ELL 062

Speaker: Anya Dovgal

Talk Title: TBD

Abstract: TBD

Date: August 13th, 2025

Time: 4-5PM

Location: ELL 062

Title: Fiction! Psychology of storytelling

Presenter: Bryn Lonsbrough

Abstract: Throughout history, we have used stories as a way to solidify our understanding of the self, others, and our place in the universe. I will present a collection of stories, how they reflected the times they were written, the authors who wrote them, and compare their messages with older and younger works. I will mostly be focusing on fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: HSD 240 (see map below)

Title: Why the cuttlefish should be your favourite sea creature.

Presenter: Sarah Eaton

Abstract: We all know about the intelligence and camouflage abilities of the octopus. But are you aware of the almighty cuttlefish? Together we will learn about its unique W shaped pupil (the only known creature to have that shape), its ability to polarize light with its skin, and it’s many other fascinating qualities. By the end you will be convinced that not only is the cuttlefish the superior cephalopod, but it is one of the most interesting creatures in the ocean. And yes, there is a relevant xkcd.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: HSD 240 (see below)

Title: A statistical auditing of lies

Presenter: Scott Wilkinson

Abstract: Have you ever wondered if you’re being lied to? Perhaps most sinister are the lies we haven’t yet recognized as such. In this presentation, I will conduct several statistical experiments to expose lies you may not have considered, including: Do apps make solitaire easier to keep you engaged (and watching ads)? Is a loaf of bread a massive as they say it is? And maybe more… Let me know if you have suggestions!

Time: 4-5pm

Location: HSD 240 (see map below)

Title: Conquering Time and Space: How to get good at TimeGuessr and impress your friends along the way!

Presenter: Max Kurzner

Abstract: You may have heard of or seen videos of people playing GeoGuessr where players are tasked with identifying a location on Earth based on a photo from Google Maps only relying on context clues. Some players have shown considerable skill at optimizing their guessing based on unexpected factors such as the camera quality/angles and patterns along roadsides and buildings that the average person would often ignore on Google street view. The natural extension to such a game as physicists is to the add the dimension of time, adding an element of historical knowledge and pattern recognition to the original Geoguessr format. In this talk based on my many (hours) of experience wasting time with the game I will walk through best practices, strategies and important historical facts to know in order to optimize your scores and become very (un)popular at parties!

Time: 4-5pm

Location: TBD

Title: Scientists Say…

Presenter: Breanna Crompvoets

Abstract: These days every hot (choose your favourite pop culture source of information) article starts with “Scientists say” or “Scientists have found”, but who are scientists really? When did the word “scientist” replace mathematician, physicist, astronomer, biologist? In this talk I’ll go into the turbulent history of the term scientist, and compare our responses to the word to that of when the word was originally coined.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: HSD 240 (see map below)

Title: This can’t possibly be art. Who would pay for this?

Presenter: Jade Fischer

Abstract: “This can’t possibly be art. Who would pay for this?” Well, get ready to dive into the wonderfully absurd world of conceptual art. From urinals to invisible sculptures, I will tell you all about the bizarre and pretentious landscape of conceptual art!

Time: 4-5pm

Location: HSD 240

Title: TBD

Presenter: TBD

Abstract: TBD

Time: 4-5pm

Location: TBD

Title: TBD

Presenter: TBD

Abstract: TBD

Time: 4-5pm

Location: TBD

Title: Look at all this (not so) useless stuff I can print!

Presenter: Charlie Chen

Abstract: What can you actually make with a 3D printer? The answer is pretty much anything that you can think of – from simple toys to rockets and houses and even 3D printed edible steaks, we’ll talk about all of the creative and weird ways people have tried to use 3D printing technology to improve their lives. 3D printers started out as basic machines prone to problems owned by only the most niche of nerds (like me). The modern day 3D printer is cheap, easy-to-use and can be used for any number of applications. This rapid evolution has occurred over the past decade, and in the present age, printers can come in all shapes in sizes. By the end of this talk,  you’ll be much more familiar with the wide varieties of 3D printers. Who knows, you might find yourself in the market for your first printer in the not too distant future.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: ECS 123

Title: The Rewilding of North America: Bring Back the Megafauna!

Presenter: Max Kurzner

Abstract: Do you think that it is lame that we no longer have Wooly Mammoths and Sabertooth Tigers roaming the wild landscapes of North America? If you answered yes then you are not alone! In this talk I will introduce the concept of Pleistocene Rewilding, the reintroduction of megafauna (or their closest living relatives) that existed in North America during the last ice age. The arguments for and against these species reintroductions in the face of a rapidly warming climate and high levels of urbanization and development into previously undeveloped areas will be considered leading into a discussion on the broader impacts of human intervention in ecosystems overall and whether or not we truly are the masters of the ecological domain or merely causing more damage through our efforts.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: ECS 123

Title: How to Catch Them All; A Guide to Becoming a Pokemon Champion

Presenter: Katie Crotts

Abstract: Are you looking to become the best, like no one ever was? Is catching Pokemon your real test? Is training them your cause? If so, look no further! In this talk, I will be going over my guide to becoming a Pokemon Champion, including the best ways to catch Pokemon, how to build your team, how to choose move sets, along with other necessary information such as understanding Pokemon stats and type advantages. With this information, you will be able to teach your Pokemon to understand the power that’s inside!

Time: 4-5pm

Location: ECS 123

Title: What is a 15 minute city: a walkable mixed-use neighbourhood or a ‘Stalinist climate lockdown plot’?

Presenter: Shoshannah Byrne-Mamahit

Abstract: TBD!

Time: 4-5pm

Location: ECS 123

There will be no SPACE talk this week.

Title: Syracuse conjecture, an Aberkanian proof

Presenter: Taha Hammadia

Abstract: Syracuse conjecture is a famous conjecture in mathematics due to the simplicity of its statement and the apparent difficulty in proving or disproving it. This was true until the great French mathematician, neuroscientist, politician, historian and writer Idriss Aberkane gave us a proof of this theorem. In this talk, I will present and discuss this proof.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: ECS 123

Title: Is a Table a Sauce? A Multifaceted Inconclusive Determination of the Sauciest Sauce

Presenter: Scott Wilkinson

Abstract: Have you ever wondered what is more of a sauce: ketchup or mayonnaise? No, just me? Well, in this talk, I will discuss the definition(s) of sauce as well as close cousins dips, condiments, dressings, and spreads; what are their similarities and differences physically, medically, colloquially and nutritionally? With this foundation, I will employ several methods to identify the sauciest sauce of them all, including interpersonal polls and machine learning techniques. By the end, I hope to answer the question: is a table a sauce?

Time: 4-5pm

Location: ECS 123

Title: How to Make a Forest

Presenter: Simon Smith

Abstract: Canada has, without a doubt, the most expansive reforestation program in the world, with thousands of workers planting hundreds of millions of trees each year from coast to coast to coast. In this SPACE talk, I will give an overview of reforestation efforts around the country, including both the light and dark sides of the industry, and finish off with some personal anecdotes and stories of my time planting in the Canadian Wilderness.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: DTB A120

Title: The History of Rubik’s Cubes – A hands-on and visual experience

Abstract: The Rubik’s Cube has been a foundational invention for the 3D puzzle industry, since its inception in 1974. It gained massive popularity in the 80s, but has since been on the sidelines until the 2000s, when speedcubing became a massive hobby. Come learn about the history of cubes, speedcubing, record holding, and a basic overview on how to solve one! All with a cube in your hand to play around with as you learn!

Presenter: Sam Fielder

Time: 4-5pm

Location: DTB A120

Title: Little Green Men and Other Tall Tales: A Journey Through Alien Conspiracy Theories

Presenter: Spencer Bialek

Abstract: TBD

Time: 4-5pm

Location: DTB A120

Title: Science Fiction: Separating Science from Fiction

Presenter: Caleb Miller

Abstract: Science fiction novels have long been a way to examine cultural norms and ask “big” questions about humanity through the lens of fictional societies. For many novels the science is unimportant to the story and message, however well researched and developed science can really pull you deeper into a world. Come join me for a discussion of some of my favorite sci-fi novels and a tier list of science vs. fiction.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: DTB A120

Title: The polarization of science-fiction films within the scientific community.

Presenter: William Harvey

Abstract: We all have seen NGT tweets ripping apart the latest space movie (although it’s not only him). Or how often have you seen some sci-fi movie only for your physics prof / science discourse to be like “that’s so inaccurate because of [x] reasons?” Well, I’m here to analyze why this happens, and specifically why it happens a lot more for some films (Interstellar, Gravity) rather than others (Contact, The Martian), and how it’s really about the kind of stories we often see dejected in science-fiction — not as to whether or not how accurate any of it really is.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: DTB A120

Title: Finally, a talk about scorpions!

Presenter: Alexandre Beaubien

Abstract: Ever wondered why scorpions are so cool? Tired of spending your evenings contemplating how you could ever measure up to scorpions? No more! I will tell you all you want to know about our favorite 8-legged friends.

Time: 4-5pm

Location: DTB A120