May 28th, 2025: How to Win at Transit: A New Era of Competitive Gameplay for Public Transit Aficionados<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Adrienne Scott <\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: How to Win at Transit: A New Era of Competitive Gameplay for Public Transit Aficionados. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: 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 resum\u00e9? 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: May 28th, 2025 <\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM <\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104 <\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJune 4th, 2025: Cat Coat Genetics<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Anne Najdzionek<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: Cat Coat Genetics<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: June 4th, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJune 11th, 2025: How to give a talk with CONFIDENCE (AKA Max’s Declassified Grad School Survival Guide)<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Max Kurzner<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: How to give a talk with CONFIDENCE (AKA Max’s Declassified Grad School Survival Guide)<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: 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\u2019t end in complete disaster. Along the way you\u2019ll 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\nLearning Outcomes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Develop a heightened tolerance for academic nonsense (which may be high already<\/strong>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Discover your inner ability to improvise under pressure while making it sound like a research seminar.( it’s just too easy<\/strong>!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Witness the fragile boundary between confidence and chaos (\u266a Because you’re mine, I walk the line! – Johnny Cash \u266a)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 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<\/strong>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Leave with the unshakable belief that you, too, can give a talk on anything\u2026 as long as nobody asks questions (Questions are highly encouraged for this presentation though!)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Date<\/strong>: June 11th, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104 (Near the Elliot building, where the construction is happening)<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJune 24th, 2025: Slaying the Leviathan<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Bryn Lonsbrough<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: Slaying the Leviathan<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: 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.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: June 24th, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 2nd, 2025: How to Navigate Dungeons and Slay Dragons<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Branden Aitken<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: How to Navigate Dungeons and Slay Dragons <\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: July 2nd, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 16th, 2025: A Guide to Good Video Game Graphics on PC<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: William Harvey<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: A Guide to Good Video Game Graphics on PC<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: July 16th, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM<\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 23rd, 2025: An Astronomer\u2019s Guide to Poetry<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Breanna Crompvoets <\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: An Astronomer\u2019s Guide to Poetry<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: Walt Whitman\u2019s \u201cWhen I Heard the Learn\u2019d Astronomer\u201d 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 \u201cI hated physics\u201d or \u201cyou must be really smart,\u201d but never did I really hear any positive resonance. This comes down to both the audience\u2019s willingness to listen, but also our ability as scientists to communicate our ideas. In this talk, I\u2019ll go over how the poet\u2019s appreciation of science has shifted in recent decades and what that looks like, as well as tips on how to write poetry that I\u2019ve picked up over the last couple years.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: July 23rd, 2025 <\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM <\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104 <\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 30th, 2025: MSc in Mixology<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Dr. Blake Ledger<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: MSc in Mixology<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: 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 \u201cDark Matter Daiquiri,\u201d \u201cCosmospolitan,\u201d and the dangerously unstable \u201cNeutron Star Negroni\u201d, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: July 30th, 2025 <\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM <\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ECS 104 <\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nAugust 6th, 2025: Flexibility sports for rigid people<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Dr. Akshara Viswanathan<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: Flexibility sports for rigid people<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: August 6th, 2025 <\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM <\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ELL 062 <\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nAugust 13th, 2025: TBD<\/div><\/summary>
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Speaker<\/strong>: Anya Dovgal<\/p>\n\n\n\nTalk Title<\/strong>: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\nAbstract<\/strong>: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\nDate<\/strong>: August 13th, 2025 <\/p>\n\n\n\nTime<\/strong>: 4-5PM <\/p>\n\n\n\nLocation<\/strong>: ELL 062<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nSpace Talks 2024:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
July 3rd, 2024: Fiction! Psychology of storytelling<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: Fiction! Psychology of storytelling<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Bryn Lonsbrough<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: HSD 240 (see map below)<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 10th, 2024: Why the cuttlefish should be your favourite sea creature.<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: Why the cuttlefish should be your favourite sea creature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Sarah Eaton<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: HSD 240 (see below)<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 17th, 2024: A statistical auditing of lies<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: A statistical auditing of lies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Scott Wilkinson<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: HSD 240 (see map below)<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 24th, 2024: Conquering\u00a0Time and Space<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: Conquering Time and Space: How to get good at TimeGuessr and impress your friends along the way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Max Kurzner<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJuly 31st, 2024: Scientists Say…<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: Scientists Say…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Breanna Crompvoets<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: HSD 240 (see map below)<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nAugust 7th, 2024: This can\u2019t possibly be art. Who would pay for this?<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: This can\u2019t possibly be art. Who would pay for this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Jade Fischer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract: “This can\u2019t possibly be art. Who would pay for this?\u201d 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: HSD 240<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nAugust 14th, 2024: Open Slot<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nAugust 21st, 2024: Open Slot<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: TBD<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
SPACE Talks 2023:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
May 18th, 2023: Look at all this (not so) useless stuff I can print!<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: Look at all this (not so) useless stuff I can print!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Charlie Chen<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: ECS 123<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nMay 25th, 2023: The Rewilding of North America:\u00a0Bring Back the Megafauna!<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: The Rewilding of North America: Bring Back the Megafauna!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Max Kurzner<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: ECS 123<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJune 1st, 2023: How to Catch Them All; A Guide to Becoming a Pokemon Champion<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: How to Catch Them All; A Guide to Becoming a Pokemon Champion<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Katie Crotts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: ECS 123<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJune 8th: 2023: What is a 15 minute city: a walkable mixed-use neighbourhood or a ‘Stalinist climate lockdown plot’?<\/div><\/summary>
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Title: What is a 15 minute city: a walkable mixed-use neighbourhood or a ‘Stalinist climate lockdown plot’?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Presenter: Shoshannah Byrne-Mamahit<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract: TBD!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time: 4-5pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Location: ECS 123<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\nJune 15th, 2023: NO SPACE – many astronomy students attending CASCA.<\/div><\/summary>
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There will be no SPACE talk this week.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n