Students in Physics and Astronomy Communication Enrichment
SPACE is a regularly-scheduled presentation program throughout the Summer semester in which graduate students present about an interesting topic that they find themselves knowing a bunch about and want to share with the world. SPACE presentations are meant to be entertaining and educational; beyond that, the sky is the limit. SPACE is an opportunity for us to be creative and have fun, in a welcoming environment which helps us all learn and grow! Presentations are not required to be similar to your area of research. It is also an opportunity to include an additional “public talk” on your CV, if you wish.
SPACE dates back to May 2012. Some examples from previous years include:
Hipster Quantum Mechanics, Juggling by the Numbers, A Decision Procedure for Modal Logic (with Quantum Kitten Theory), Black Hole Memories, Phorses: Forces and Horses, Bikelicious, The Physics of Curling, Fowl Physics, Physics of Sailing, The Eye of the Octopus, and Physics of Flying Discs.
CALL FOR SPEAKERS 2024
We will be launching (to) SPACE this Summer, mid-May, and will run every Wednesday at 4pm. Presentations should be at least 20 minutes and up to an hour long, including questions.
If you are interested in contributing a presentation to the S.P.A.C.E. program this Summer, please reach out to the PAGSA Academic Representative ASAP. A preliminary title, abstract, and preferred dates must be submitted by 11:59 PM on April 11th so presentation dates can be assigned and announced by Friday, April 19th. Priority in scheduling talks will be given to those who submit their title/abstracts first; there are only 15(ish) Wednesdays in the Summer, so keep that in mind! While preliminary titles and abstracts are required upon submission, you are welcome to change your presentation up to two weeks before your assigned presentation date.
Upcoming SPACE Talks:
May 8th, 2024: IF DEMAND NECESSITATES
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
May 15th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
May 22nd, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
May 29th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
June 5th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
June 12th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
June 19th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
June 26th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
July 3rd, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
July 10th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
July 17th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
July 24th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
July 31st, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
August 7th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
August 14th, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
August 21st, 2024: TBD
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
August 28th, 2024: IF DEMAND NECESSITATES
Title: TBD
Presenter: TBD
Abstract: TBD
Time: 4-5pm
Location: TBD
SPACE 2023:
May 18th, 2023: Look at all this (not so) useless stuff I can print!
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
May 25th, 2023: The Rewilding of North America: Bring Back the Megafauna!
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
June 1st, 2023: How to Catch Them All; A Guide to Becoming a Pokemon Champion
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
June 8th: 2023: What is a 15 minute city: a walkable mixed-use neighbourhood or a ‘Stalinist climate lockdown plot’?
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
June 15th, 2023: NO SPACE – many astronomy students attending CASCA.
There will be no SPACE talk this week.
June 22nd, 2023: Syracuse conjecture, an Aberkanian proof
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
June 29th, 2023: Is a Table a Sauce? A Multifaceted Inconclusive Determination of the Sauciest Sauce
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
July 6th, 2023: How to Make a Forest
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
July 13th, 2023: The History of Rubik’s Cubes – A hands-on and visual experience
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
July 20th, 2023: Layla Haddad – TBD
The deadline for expressing interest was March 31st, but there are still spots available throughout the Summer. Please reach out to the PAGSA Academic Representative (Scott) if you would like to slot in a late submission!
July 27th, 2023: Little Green Men and Other Tall Tales: A Journey Through Alien Conspiracy Theories
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
August 3rd, 2023: Science Fiction: Separating Science from Fiction
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
August 10th, 2023: The polarization of science-fiction films within the scientific community.
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
August 17th, 2023: Finally, a talk about scorpions!
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
CALL FOR SPEAKERS 2023
We will be launching (to) SPACE this Summer, mid-May, and will run on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis, depending on how many people are interested in presenting. Presentations will be approximately 20 minutes to an hour long, including questions.
If you are interested in contributing a presentation to the S.P.A.C.E. program this Summer, please reach out to the PAGSA Academic Representative ASAP. A preliminary title, abstract, and preferred dates will be required by the end of the month, Friday, March 31st. Presentation dates will be assigned throughout the month of April. While preliminary titles and abstracts are required in March, you are welcome to change your presentation up to two weeks before your assigned presentation date.
There is a channel on the PAGSA discord server where we can chat logistics and amongst ourselves to figure out what ideas are interesting to present about for both the presenter and the audience.
MARCH 31st ANNOUNCEMENT: Thank you to those who have expressed interest in giving a SPACE talk this Summer. Based on your availability, we have assembled a preliminary schedule. The deadline for expressing interest was March 31st, but there are still spots available throughout the Summer. Please reach out to the PAGSA Academic Representative (Scott) if you would like to slot in a late submission!
APRIL 23rd ANNOUNCEMENT: The SPACE program is prepared to launch! Please join us every Thursday at 4pm starting May 18th. We start in ECS 123 and switch to DTB A120 halfway through the semester, so make sure to check here before you leave!