An Evening of Martian Delights & Insights

We have reached capacity. Sold Out!

But you can watch the video here:

Join the Friends on May 13th at 7:30 pm for a virtual “Raise the Bar” featuring professor Chris Herd @SpaceRockDoc (UAlberta’s local Returned Sample Science Participating Scientist) as he presents the latest update on the current Mars mission with the rover Perseverance.

In order to allow discussion with the speaker, the capacity has been limited and we have reached capacity.

If you would like to read some background articles of regarding this mission here are some links:
https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2019/03/bringing-martian-rocks-back-to-earth-crucial-for-science-say-researchers.html
https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2020/02/u-of-a-scientist-lending-expertise-to-nasa-mars-2020-rover-mission.html

And from the Canadian Space Agency
https://asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/mars/missions/mars-2020.asp

And from NASA
https://www.nasa.gov/perseverance/overview

Even though we are unable to meet in-person in a bar and enjoy a beverage together that doesn’t stop you from enjoying your beverage of choice during the talk. If you are looking for ideas, here is a link to a few “Mars” cocktails (we have not tested these recipes, please drink responsibly):
https://bevvy.co/articles/life-on-mars-cocktail/11034

Raise The Bar is a program designed by The Friends of the University of Alberta Society to provide interesting, engaging learning opportunities that break down real or perceived barriers to education and connect the University and its faculty to the broader community. We’re raising the bar on the way people consume content.

2020 Henry Marshall Tory Lecture

The Friends of the University of Alberta is pleased to welcome back 2015 University of Alberta Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Dan Riskin.

Making Science Accessible to Canadians in the Age of COVID-19

TV shows and web-videos about science were all fun and games until a coronavirus from China showed up to the party. Until then, audiences had mostly let the presenters pick the topic, and trusted them to deliver entertaining content. But with the arrival of COVID-19, audiences suddenly want science content about one particular topic. What’s more, the stakes have become much higher for two reasons: (1) science presenters must dispel a tidal wave of misinformation and conspiracy theories, and (2) public trust in science and scientists has a huge impact on the spread of the disease itself, since it influences whether or not people follow the advise of experts to social distance and wear masks. Dan will talk about his own experience as a science communicator in Canada through this transition, and offer his perspective about what the future holds.

November 4, 2020 at 7pm MT via Zoom

Bio:
Dan Riskin, PhD, is a biologist, science journalist, and author. He is best known as the former host of Daily Planet on Discovery, and as the author of the bestselling book Mother Nature is Trying to Kill You. After graduating from the University of Alberta, Dan worked as a bat scientist, travelling around the world to understand the biomechanics of bat movement. But for the last decade or so, he has focused on communicating science to popular audiences, writing, and appearing as a guest on TV news shows (CTV, BNN, CNN, CBS). Dan’s been interviewed by Anderson Cooper, Craig Ferguson, Jay Leno, and Mehmet Oz, and has hosted his own shows on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet, CTV, and CBC. He now lives in Toronto, but he still cheers for the Oilers.

Follow Dan Riskin on Twitter: @riskindan

Update: Here are the papers Dan referenced in his talk

β-Adrenergic activation and memory for emotional events
https://www.nature.com/articles/371702a0

A mountable toilet system for personalized health monitoring via the analysis of excreta
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-020-0534-9

The impact of incorrect social information on collective wisdom in human groups
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2020.0496

The spread of true and false news online
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6380/1146

The Emotional Path to Action: Empathy Promotes Physical Distancing and Wearing of Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797620964422

2020 AGM – Covid-19 style

We hope you are all keeping healthy and safe during the pandemic. The Friends have continued to work on supporting the University through these challenging times. Since we are required to hold an Annual General Meeting, we held it virtually via Zoom on May 27 at 5:00 PM. We changed the agenda to just the business portion of the meeting and kept the time requirement to a minimum. Thirty one people attended – Thank You!

Three of the executive board members agreed to stay on another year and Andrea Sulyma stepped up to take on the Secretary role.  Thanks to all the volunteer board members for their contributions throughout the year.

We hope to meet in person soon (perhaps a Raise the Bar?) and continue championing the University of Alberta to the broader community.

Stay Safe!