SHAD UPEI Information Session

UPEI is one of the latest universities to join SHAD (shad.ca), an award-winning national enrichment program that brings top high school students from across Canada to 16 university campuses across the country every July. The first SHAD UPEI program will take place from July 1-27, 2018, and we will be hosting 48 students with diverse interests in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) and entrepreneurship. A keystone feature of the program is the Design-Entrepreneurship (DE) project, which requires participants to work in teams to design a new product that solves a problem corresponding with a centrally chosen theme. During the four weeks, SHADs participate in a jam-packed schedule with lectures, workshops, recreation, and DE project time. We’re looking for faculty, staff, students and community leaders, who are interested in helping with SHAD UPEI. Commitments can be small or large: delivering a seminar on a relevant topic that you’re passionate about; leading a workshop or tour; mentoring the students on their DE projects for a few hours over the course of the program; or living in residence with the students as a paid member of the SHAD team. If you’re interested in finding out more about the opportunities, please join us for an information session, or contact Kaaren May, Program Co-Director, at kmay@upei.ca. You could also visit upei.ca/shad for the latest updates.

Island Lecture Series: Unlocking mysteries of Prehistoric PEI

The Island Lecture Series is back with a new slate of speakers. On Tuesday, February 13, Island filmmaker/photographer Will Beckett brings his childhood fascination with prehistoric life to the SDU Main Building Faculty Lounge on the UPEI campus, starting at 7:00 pm. He will speak about the adventures behind his upcoming Web documentary series, Prehistoric PEI. Will has spent the past three years making the first ever documentary about Prince Edward Island’s little-known prehistoric past — a journey that’s taken him as far as Philadelphia, PA, in his quest for an answer to the question: where have all of PEI’s fossils gone?! In 1845, a farmer unearthed one of Canada’s very first fossils in New London, PEI. Islanders still find fossils of plants and animals embedded in cliffs, lying openly on the beaches, and buried under the soil. The public seldom hears about these discoveries, and even more rarely do they get a chance to see them unless they visit museums in Ontario or Nova Scotia. PEI’s fossils paint a fascinating picture of a time long before the dinosaurs when the land teemed with a variety of life — echoes of which remain with us even today. Will’s lecture covers the inspiration for, and the information around, the documentary and the discoveries he’s made along the way. He’ll also offer a sneak peek of some of the footage, along with a brief, tantalizing glimpse of what Prince Edward Island looked like around 290 million years ago. Originally from St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia, Will Beckett now lives in Charlottetown. He’s worked as a crew member on TV projects like CBC’s The Songs of Gene MacLellan and The Stats of Life. He’s also acted in commercials, and appeared in a hilarious bit part in the Island-produced feature film, Kooperman. Admission to the lecture is free and everyone is welcome to attend! Watch for another lecture about islands – near and far – March 20. For more information, please contact Laurie at iis@upei.ca or (902) 894-2881.

School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences Open House

The UPEI School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences invites prospective students and their parents to an Open House on Saturday, January 27, 2018 (storm date February 3) from 10 am to 12 noon at the Cass Science Hall. Learn more about how UPEI's traditional and emerging programs in mathematical and computational sciences can lead to fulfilling and high-earning careers. FEATURING: » Short demonstrations/presentations about some fun mathematics and computer science topics » Information on UPEI admissions and scholarships » Tours of UPEI and SMCS facilities » And more! Sign up to attend the event on the @UniversityofPEI Facebook page!  

First UPEI Rotaract meeting of 2018–new members welcome!

UPEI is forming its first Rotaract Club, and will meet on Friday, January 19, 4:00-5:00 pm in Don and Marion MacDougall Hall Rm 227. Stop by the first meeting of 2018 to find out more about Rotary and how you can become involved in this global community. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Light refreshments provided. Anyone is welcome to join! 

Robertson Library Movie Talks

Join the discussion in January for Robertson Library Movie Talks. Each week will highlight a timely movie available through the Library’s video collections. There will be a discussion after each movie led by an interdisciplinary panel of UPEI faculty, staff, students, and community members. The next NFB documentary, Finding Dawn, is a “compelling documentary that puts a human face” to the hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada over the decades. The panelists for Finding Dawn are Gulrose Jiwani, PhD, RN; Jo-Ann MacDonald, PhD; and Sherri Russell. On Monday, January 22, Robertson Library LINC, Room 265, 7-9 pm. Popcorn will be provided. Bring your lidded, non-alcoholic drink. Free admission. Everyone is welcome!

UN World Religion Day UNderstanding the Role of Women in Society

Have you ever wondered what major world religions teach about women and their role in our world? Do you want to challenge assumptions and pre-conceived notions about this topic? Join the discussion on Sunda, January 21 at the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre from 2:00 to 4:00 pm for insightful discussions. Panellists will field questions from the audience and refreshments are to follow. Members of all faith backgrounds are welcome!