Science outreach programs like Destination Exploration look forward to benefiting from the improved space and design of the new science and academic building.
Destination Exploration recently collaborated with the City of Lethbridge to expose middle-school aged girls to the wide variety of opportunities available in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields. Here’s look at what they experienced.
In celebration of National Periodic Table day, the University of Lethbridge is pleased to announce a donation of a special kind for the Destination Project. A group of former staff and faculty members and current faculty members has generously donated a periodic table to be displayed in the new science and academic building.
Dr. Peter Dibble, Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, says the addition of a periodic table of the calibre that is being donated will really put science on display for southern Alberta.
“I know of other institutions that have these tables and they are magnets to members of the public because they are so interesting and beautiful to look at,” says Dibble. “I think this display will become a regular stop for elementary and high school classes and I intend to develop programs, such as element days, that will feed into such visits and offer members of the public and students to learn about specific elements, how they are used and why they are so important.”
For retired faculty member, Dr. Douglas Dolman, seeing the progress of the new science and academic building has been quite thrilling. Dolman and his wife Theresa met at the University and both worked for a number of years in the sciences. Dolman says they’re looking forward to seeing how their donation and the new building will inspire the future scientists in the area.
“The new science and academic building will be such a wonderful investment for the future of science in southern Alberta. I hope that by seeing the many extraordinary elements on display in the periodic table, it sparks something special in the young minds of those who visit the building,” says Douglas Dolman.
The periodic table is quite a unique piece of science within itself. Some elements can be made to be interactive and while it’s sized at three meters (10 feet) across and 1.8 meters (6 feet) in height, they make an impressive feature in any science building.
The periodic table contains museum-grade samples of the elements themselves that are individually illuminated in cubes. The elements in the periodic table are shown with examples of how it is used in everyday life as well as some cubes having the ability to be interactive too.
For Dibble, he believes that there is something special in the moment when you first lay your eyes on exactly what an element looks and feels like. Dibble says the feeling ignited by seeing this piece of science is perhaps best summarized by British neurologist, naturalist and author Oliver Sacks.
“In this first, sensuous glance, I saw the table as a gorgeous banquet, a huge table set with eighty-odd different dishes.” (Uncle Tungsten, Oliver Sachs, Alfred A Knopf, Toronto, 2001)
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The donations to date will go towards the purchase of the periodic table. If you’re interested in supporting this project, please contact University Advancement at 403-329-2582.
The Teaching Centre was kind enough to share their time lapse video of PCL’s Big Yeller tower crane being assembled!
Between the holiday parties, gift giving and joy of the season, it can be hard to remember there are people who struggle just to put dinner on the table each night. With food bank supply levels down across the province and demand sky-rocketing, the staff and contractors working on the Destination Project have done their part to ensure those in need will have a full tummy and pantry this Christmas.
PCL Construction Management Ltd.’s field office manager, Anna Slater, led a campaign to collect donations for both the University of Lethbridge Students’ Union (ULSU) food bank and three local families.
“We adopted three local families who needed a little extra help this Christmas along with making a cash and food donation to the ULSU,” says Slater. “We were so overwhelmed with the response that not only U of L Destination Project staff and PCL staff made, but our trade contractors too.”
Just a portion of what was received as donations for the ULSU and the Christmas Hope program.
Working with the local giving initiative, Christmas Hope, which is a program developed between the Interfaith Food Bank, the Lethbridge Food Bank and the Salvation Army, is something that has brought the Destination Project team closer together this holiday season says Project Director, Brian Sullivan.
“I feel so fortunate to have a great job and sadly there are many who aren’t in the same position right now,” says Sullivan. “That’s a sentiment that is clearly shared on this project as our trades, contractors and staff gave so generously. It’s a wonderful way to come together as group and give back to the community and U of L students.”
Interfaith Food Bank executive director, Danielle McIntyre says it’s the efforts of people like those on the Destination Project who are giving a little joy to those in need this holiday season.
“We love it when local businesses and organizations step-up because it inspires not only their employees, but their customers and general community too,” says McIntyre. “Local businesses do so much to bring in resources for us, especially this time of year.”
As for the bounty that was delivered to the ULSU, Students’ Union president, Cameron Howey, was blown away by the showing of generosity.
Donations came from U of L Destination Project staff, PCL Construction Ltd. staff and trades working on the new science and academic building.
“What an amazing contribution to helping students in need,” says Howey. “This donation shows that the people involved with the Destination Project are not only invested in the building, but also invested in bettering the student experience. On behalf of University of Lethbridge students, thank you. You’ve made this holiday season that much brighter for those in need.”
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