Altered Carbon: On Wednesday, March 21, a group of St. Jerome's University students built a physical representation of a tonne of carbon out of PVC pipe. This event was part of "Go Green @ SJU" month, which helped students to gain awareness and recognize small ways in which they could reduce their carbon footprint.

"Although we were unable to erect a tonne of carbon due to the abnormally warm weather and its size of 27 feet, we were able to erect half a tonne of carbon, a 15-foot cube representing the amount of electricity produced in each double room at St. Jerome's Residence each year," writes Erin Kooistra, Residence Life Program Developer. "This event was an interactive and educational initiative that allowed students to see how their actions have an effect on the planet and how by making informed choices, their actions can have a positive impact!"

Back to top

Periodic table project unites the world

by Sharon McFarlane, Faculty of Science

The long-awaited unveiling of the beautiful mosaic of science and art known as the Chem 13 News Periodic Table is about to be realized as contributors, investors and community chemistry educators gather at the University of Waterloo to see their unique project displayed as a 25 x 18 foot wall mural.

To mark the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) in 2011, Chem 13 News editors together with representatives from the Faculty of Science encouraged chemistry educators and enthusiasts from all over the world to design an artistic interpretation of one of the elements in the periodic table. The call to action resulted in tile submissions from each Canadian province and territory, 20 US states and 14 other countries.

The project was the brainchild of Chem 13 News editor Jean Hein, and Science Recruitment Officer Richard Vollans, following an inquiry from chemistry alumnus Dr. Kent Neilsen of 3M Canada who posed the question “what is Waterloo doing for the International Year of Chemistry?” Chem 13 News, a magazine for high school chemistry teachers published by the University of Waterloo Chemistry Department, asked readers to sign up their students to create one elemental tile of the periodic table.

Seeing the potential for student engagement and science outreach, 3M Canada stepped up to assist with the project. The company designed the periodic poster, manufactured the large wall mural with new technology first used in the Vancouver Olympics, and funded the development of electronic applications for the project including apps for the iPad and Playbook.

The Chemical Institute of Canada and the uWaterloo Office of Research also saw the potential of this International Year of Chemistry collaborative project and provided the necessary funding to bring the project to life.

The mural has been positioned in the foyer of the Centre for Environmental and Information Technology (EIT) and will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, April 10 at 3:00 p.m. Representatives from 3M Canada, the Faculty of Science, tile contributors, local school groups, Let’s Talk Science and Scientists in the Schools will be on hand to witness the event.

All are welcome to attend the unveiling. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information on the project, contact Jean Hein at jhein @uwaterloo.ca.

Back to top

Monday's Notes

Judging from the crowds at the PAC this morning, the examination period has begun. A full schedule (in PDF form) for on-campus exams is available on the Registrar Office's examination index page. The online course schedule can be viewed through Quest.

Save the date: The next Town Hall Meeting will be held Wednesday, May 9, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in Hagey Hall's Humanities Theatre. The meeting will be webcast, and an invitation will be sent electronically to students, faculty, and staff that will include the link to the webcast. As well, the twitter hashtags #uWaterloo and #UWth will be used for tweets during the meeting.

Back to top