ECUR 411 is a course where University of Saskatchewan teacher candidates explore the pedagogy of teaching & learning through experiential learning using research at the CLS synchrotron.

Topics: Metals & Mushrooms; Metals in Dog Food; Metals in Protein Powder; Spearhead Origin

We the education team at Canada's only synchrotron research facility are steeped in the science method as the mainstream approach to understanding the world. We have challenged ourselves to move forward in the spirit of partnership, reconciliation, and collaboration. This seminar will provide insight about how our team is walking the path of Truth and Reconciliation.

Seminar Abstract

ECUR 411 is a course where students conduct an inquiry project.   University of Saskatchewan Teacher Candidates Exploring Teaching & Learning Through Research Using a Synchrotron.

ECUR 411 Seminar Abstract

When you hear robots, you don't probably think of structural biology but this is the topic Dr. Michel Fodje has spent his career studying. Michel is a Sr. Scientist and Beamline Responsible for the Canadian Macromolecular Crystallography Beamline (CMCF) at CLS. In this seminar, he provides a brief overview of the history of structural biology while highlighting key discoveries that have paved the way for modern structural biology. He then shares an example of a modern-day structural biology beamline at a synchrotron will be described, using the CMCF facility as an example. Finally, the presentation concludes by showing the impact of structural biology on drug design and human health.  

Michel's Biography and Abstract

Miwart Shamshad is a physics educator, teaching high school girls in Islamabad as well as students in remote areas further north. She has connected with various international science and outreach organizations and found her way connecting to our CLS Teachers' Workshop. In her seminar, she shares the story of her all-girls' Students on the Beamline team, the outcomes her students achieved, and how her belief in who can do science has changed. 

Mirwat's Biography and Abstract

Ryan Beck is a Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy teachers at Sundre High in Sundre AB. He had the opportunity to participate in various PDs such as Perimeter Institute, CLS and LIGO. Through these PDs, Ryan has discovered a joy for sharing what he has learned and how they impacted his classroom. He was fortunate to bring three student groups to the CLS and will share the processes he went through and the learning experience that he and his students experienced.  

Ryan's Biography and Abstract

The Canadian Light Source (CLS) is a national research facility, where more than 1,000 academic, government and industry scientists from around the world come to use every year, developing innovative solutions in health, agriculture, environment, and advanced materials… and we let high school students play with it! In this seminar, we hear from Dr. Robert Blyth, the Science Projects Manager at the CLS, who is responsible for upgrades and additions to the experimental facilities, as well as manages and supports our education programs. In this talk, Rob provides an overview of what the synchrotron is, an in-depth tour of inside the building, and how light is used to conduct research at the CLS.  

Rob's Biography and Abstract

Dr. Adam Gillespie is a faculty member at the University of Guelph's School of Environmental Sciences. His presentation covers some basics on soils and synchrotron techniques, followed by some example studies. These studies include exploring carbon chemistry in Arctic soils, sulfur chemistry in fertilizer, and zinc chemistry in mining areas. The presentation ends with showing some uses of X-ray to probe the physical structures in soils.  

Adam's Biography and Abstract

An agricultural engineer by training, Dr. Karunakaran is the manager for the Environmental and Earth Sciences department at the Canadian Light Source (CLS), and leads the CLS plant imaging and innovation research program, promoting the innovative use of synchrotron techniques for agricultural and food sciences research. Her seminar goes over the advancements of synchrotron techniques in better understand the structure and composition of plants.  

Chithra's Biography and Abstract

Dr. Gosia Korbas is a senior scientist in the Science Division of Canada’s only synchrotron - Canadian Light Source. Gosia's favourite element is mercury (Hg) and she has been using synchrotron techniques to study its speciation and distribution in creatures as small as zebrafish larvae and as big as whales. She is passionate about STEM education and love working with various school groups coming to Canadian Light Source through Students on the Beamlines (SotB) program.  

Gosia's Biography and Abstract

Dr. Colin Laroque is a scientist who investigates tree-ring related research at the University of Saskatchewan through the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Laboratory. His seminar is on his experiences in STEM education and how it lead him to become an educator, science researcher, and a Canadian Light Source user.  

Colin's Biography and Abstract

Joe Muise is a teacher who has been fortunate enough to attend various physics workshops to support his teaching in his physics classes. His seminar highlights how these workshops specifically the Canadian Light Source Teachers' Workshop has influences his teaching.   

Joe's Biography and Abstract

Zach Persons completed his Masters using various beamlines at the Canadian Light Source to collect data on tree and soil samples and has helped develop the TREE program. His seminar highlights the different synchrotron techniques he has used and how to interpret the data to find trends and patterns.  

Zach's Biography and Abstract