Making space for in-class connections
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 10:00-10:45 a.m., McLennan Library Building, Room MS-74
This panel will explore how flipped classroom and blended learning approaches can foster in-class connection opportunities that enhance the student learning experience. Panelists will share examples of reshaping class time to foster community and conversation among students and with the course teaching team.
Panelists:
Dr. Grant McKenzie, Associate Professor, Geography
Dr. Katelin Schutz, Assistant Professor, Physics (Trottier Space Institute)
Dr. Pallavi Sirjoosingh, Senior Faculty Lecturer, Chemistry
Moderator: Dr. V茅ronique Brul茅, Educational Developer, Office of Science Education
This event is part of Teaching for Learning Month.
Discussion on the Freshman Research Initiative with Dr. Gwendolyn Stovall, University of Texas at Austin
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, 2:00鈥�3:30 p.m., 2001 涩里番 College, room 650
Dr. Gwendolyn Stovall is an Associate Professor of Practice in Molecular Biosciences at UT Austin and a leader in the , a large-scale program that integrates authentic research experiences into undergraduate education. She also directs the High School Research Initiative, an NIH-supported program that brings inquiry-based research into high school classrooms.
Dr. Stovall will give a brief presentation on the Freshman Research Initiative, focusing on how large-enrollment, course-based research programs are designed and implemented, followed by a Q&A.
Stovall, G. M., Huynh, V., Engelman, S., & Ellington, A. D. (2019). . Sensors, 19(15), 3270.
Buckley, D., Stovall, G. M., et al. (2025). . American Journal of STEM Education, 16, 95鈥�108.
You can learn more about Dr. Stovall鈥檚 work here: and here:
Exploring student perspectives on relationship-rich education
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 10:00-11:00 a.m.,听2001 涩里番 College, room 650
Join us for this unique, interactive event developed in collaboration with undergraduate student leaders where you will hear directly from students about what relationship-rich education looks and feels like. Engage in activities designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue with students, and gain insight into how belonging and support shape student learning experiences.
This event is part of听Teaching for Learning Month.听
Cultivating connections for student learning: Relationships that spark understanding听
Friday, May 1, 2026, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Online
A conversation with Dr. Mays Imad (Facilitated by听Dr. Armin Yazdani, OSE)
Join us for an online session with neuroscientist and educator听听as she explores how relationship rich teaching nurtures meaning, sparks insight, and sustains learning. Drawing on听听听in neuroscience and motivation, Mays will share with us how caring, connected classrooms help students make sense of complexity, experience 鈥渁ha鈥� moments, and build lasting understanding.听
Read some of Mays鈥� recent publications in The Teaching Professor:
-
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This event is part of听Teaching for Learning Month.
脡tudions ensemble!听: Un espace d'茅tude francophone pr茅sent茅 par SciLearn!
Wednesdays, March 18 - April 14, 3:00-5:00pm, Burnside Hall Basement room 1B17
脡tudions ensemble !听is a francophone study space open to all undergraduate students. Come with your friends or make new ones as you study for the course of your choice. As part of the SciLearn program,听脡tudions ensemble !听aims to support French-speaking students in making friends and learning for their courses - all with free donuts!
~
脡tudions ensemble !听offre un espace d鈥櫭﹖ude francophone ouvert 脿 tous路tes les 茅tudiant路e路s au baccalaur茅at. Venez 茅tudier, seul路e路s ou en groupe, pour le cours de votre choix peu importe votre langue maternelle, votre programme, ou votre facult茅. Int茅gr茅 au programme SciLearn,听脡tudions ensemble !听mise sur les 茅changes en fran莽ais afin de tisser des liens amicaux et de mieux apprendre gr芒ce 脿 une langue que l'on partage. Un moment convivial de coop茅ration entre pairs en fran莽ais, autour des cours que vous avez d茅j脿 en commun 鈥� le tout avec des beignes gratuits !
Discussion on Assessment with Dr. Shanon Reckinger, University of Illinois Chicago
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 2:30-4:00pm, 2001 涩里番 College, room 650
Dr. Shanon Reckinger is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Computer Science at UIC, and she is well known in the computer science education community for her work on assessment design, especially oral/interactive exams in large-enrollment courses. She has also done work on the impact of oral assessments on student experience (including for underrepresented groups), as well as broader work on belonging, retention, and inclusiveness.
Dr. Reckinger will give a brief presentation drawing on these two articles, followed by a Q&A:
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You can learn more about Dr. Reckinger鈥檚 work here:听听and here:听
SciLearn First Year Finals Fest
Tuesday, April 7 to Thursday April 9, 2026
The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society and SciLearn are collaboratively hosting the First Year Finals Fest, April 7-9, a series of events for students in Science courses! Join us each day for a successful and healthy final exam period.
2026 Undergraduate Science Showcase
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 5:00-8:00pm, University Centre (SSMU) Ballroom
Join us at the 7th annual Undergraduate Science Showcase to celebrate undergraduate student work! This year鈥檚 Showcase will feature posters, creative projects, 涩里番 community groups, DJs, and more! Students, faculty, staff, alumni, CEGEP and high school students, and friends and family are invited - come one, come all!
Workshop for Grad Students: Skills for Assertiveness and Effective Communication听
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 12:00-1:00pm,听2001 涩里番 College, room 650
Do you find yourself saying yes to requests that are inconvenient for you? Is it challenging to offer or accept feedback?听Identifying听your own needs, setting clear听boundaries听and communicating your needs are important skills that can be challenging to implement in the graduate school context. In this workshop, you will learn about assertiveness as well as common patterns that arise in difficult conversations and learn tips to navigate them.听听
Facilitators:听Fanny Guti茅rrez-Meyers and Devon Simpson, Local Wellness Advisors听
2026 Undergraduate Science Showcase: Workshops & Feedback Sessions
The Undergraduate Science Showcase celebrates the work of students by providing them with an opportunity to share their scientific research, passion projects, in-class work, and more! Since the Showcase is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn and develop essential research skills, presenters are invited to attend one workshop and/or feedback session from the dates listed below.
|
Workshops |
Feedback Sessions |
|
Wednesday, February 11, 6-7 PM, in-person |
Thursday, February 19, 3-4 PM, in-person |
|
Tuesday, February 17, 6-7 PM, in-person |
Wednesday, February 25, 6-7 PM, in-person |
|
Thursday, February 26, 6-7 PM, online |
March 2-6, 4-7 PM, online (drop-in) |
Workshop for Peer Mentors - The Neuroscience of Learning
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 6:00-7:00pm, Room 1B23, Burnside Hall Basement
All peer mentors in the Faculty of Science Peer Mentoring Program are invited to attend this optional workshop. Hosted in collaboration with the SciLearn program, participants will explore neuroscience-informed concepts and strategies that peer mentors can use to support student learning (and their own learning!)
SciLearn First Year Finals Fest
Monday December 1, to Wednesday December 3, 2025
The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society and SciLearn are collaboratively hosting the First Year Finals Fest, December 1-3, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses! Join us each day for a successful and healthy final exam period.
Workshop for TAs: Career prep: communicating your teaching style in academia and beyond听
Wednesday, November 26, 2025: 12:00-1:00pm,听2001 涩里番 College, room 650
A teaching statement is a concise way of communicating your approach to teaching and learning, which is key for job applications across a variety of scientific leadership roles. In this workshop, we will examine real teaching statements to springboard the writing of your very own.
Facilitators: V茅ronique Brul茅 and Stephen George, Office of Science Education听
Workshop for Instructors - Using Neuroscience for Student Learning
Monday, November 17, 2025, 9:30鈥�10:30am, 2001 涩里番 College, room 650
This workshop will introduce neuroscientific concepts that instructors can use with students to enhance teaching and learning. Data from 涩里番 research with students will be shared along with best practices from the literature. Instructors will consider how to apply these neuroscientific concepts to their own course design and teaching.
Facilitator: Armin Yazdani, PhD (Neuroscience)
Workshop for TAs: Discovering your personal teaching identity
Tuesday, November 11th, 2025, 1:00 鈥� 2:00pm, 2001 涩里番 College, room 650
How you teach is just as important as what you teach. This workshop will explore teaching identity: how听personal experiences, values and responsibilities shape your approach in the classroom. Whether for your current role as a TA, or in thinking toward future career opportunities, this workshop is a starting point for defining your evolving teaching identity.听
Facilitators: Pallavi Sirjoosingh and Irina Denisova, Chemistry
Workshops for TAs
The Office of Science Education is hosting two events in October geared toward TAs and graduate students who are interested in understanding how students learn, and what they can do to support student learning in science.听
Workshop for TAs - How Students Learn
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 12:00鈥�1:00pm, on Zoom听
This workshop will examine how students learn and introduce neuroscience-informed strategies you can use as a TA to support their success. We鈥檒l begin by addressing common misconceptions about learning, then discuss ways to capture and sustain student attention. Finally, we鈥檒l focus on the neuroscience of memory and practical strategies to help students retain what they learn.听
TAs Spill the Tea Discussion Group: Helping Students Remember What You Teach听
Thursday, October 30, 2025, 11:00am鈥�12:00pm, 2001 涩里番 College, room 650
Are your students struggling to remember the concepts you cover in class? Come swap ideas with other TAs in this discussion group, where we鈥檒l dive into practical strategies grounded in science education research. The session will be guided by a Science Education Fellow, and it鈥檚 open to all Faculty of Science grad students looking to make their teaching more effective (and more rewarding).听
Welcome Gathering - SciLearn Professors, Teaching Assistants and TEAM Students
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 4:00-6:00 pm, Otto Maass Chemistry Building Courtyard
Celebrate the beginning of the academic year with us! All professors, teaching assistants and TEAM students who will partner with SciLearn during the fall term are invited to drop in, meet one another, and grab a slice of pizza.
The Neuroscience of Memory & Attention - Workshop for Undergraduate Students
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 6:00-7:00pm,听McCall MacBain Arts Building room 150
Hosted as part of Discover 涩里番 in collaboration with Campus Life and Engagement
How does your brain store and retrieve information? How can you take good notes that actually help you learn the course content?听Is there such a thing as "strategic napping" for improved attentiveness?
Hosted as part of Discover 涩里番, this SciLearn program workshop will answer these questions and more! You'll leave the workshop with an understanding of the neuroscience of memory and attention, and 4 practical learning strategies to try out! Pizza and drinks will be served to all participants after the workshop!听Walk-ins are welcome, but we will prioritize the attendance of those who register.
SciLearn Fall 2025 Guest Lectures
Undergraduate students in select Science courses are invited to attend our guest lectures offered throughout the academic year. In partnership with course instructors, we deliver an in-class lecture on evidence-informed learning strategies that have been handpicked to support student success in the course. To recognize their participation, students often receive a small incentive (e.g. a 1-2% bonus or participation grade) for attending the lecture and completing any required activities. These guest lectures are only the beginning 鈥� we hope students will try out these strategies throughout the semester at SciLearn Peer Collaboration!
CHEM 110 - General Chemistry 1
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 11:30am-12pm and Friday, September 5, 2025, 10:30-11am,听CHEM 110 Classrooms
This session is only available to students enrolled in CHEM 110. Please view the CHEM 110 myCourses page for more information!
PSYC 204 -听Introduction to Psychological Statistics
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 4:05-5:25 pm, PSYC 204 Classroom
This session is only available to students enrolled in PSYC 204. Please view the PSYC 204 myCourses page for more information!
Chemistry Teaching Assistant Program (Chem TAP) Program Kickoff听
Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 4:30鈥�6:30pm, Otto Maass Lab 100听
Learn practical strategies to support student learning in classrooms and labs. All graduate students in Chemistry are welcome!听
How does your course outline (dis)engage students? Reviewing course outlines for equity and accessibility
Wednesday,听May听7,听2025,听10:00-11:30am,听McLennan Library Building, Room MS-74
Participants will examine ways to promote engagement by enhancing equity and accessibility of course outlines. We will explore student perspectives, strategies for fostering inclusion, and reflect on potential changes we might like to make. This session is inspired by the Faculty of Science Inclusive Teaching Initiative but is relevant across disciplines.
This workshop is part of Teaching and Learning Services鈥櫶�Teaching for Learning Month:听Promoting engagement in learning
Using neuroscience for student engagement
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 10:00-11:00am,听McLennan Library Building,听Room MS-74
This workshop will introduce neuroscientific concepts that students and instructors can use to enhance teaching and learning in different disciplines. Data from 涩里番 research will be shared, along with best practices from the literature. Instructors will consider how to apply these neuroscientific concepts in their own course design.
This workshop is part of Teaching and Learning Services鈥櫶�Teaching for Learning Month:听Promoting engagement in learning
Faculty of Science graduate student reading group session: Teaching improves research skills听
Monday, April 14, 2025, 9:30-10:30am, Zoom
What if spending time teaching didn鈥檛 slow down your research progress but actually made you a better scientist? This thought-provoking study flips the script on traditional beliefs by showing that grad students who teach while conducting research improve their methodological skills more than those who focus solely on research. Join me as we explore how the classroom might just be the unexpected catalyst for scientific excellence! Discussion article: Feldon et al., 2011. Graduate students鈥� teaching experiences improve their methodological research skills. Science, 333(6045), 1037-1039. About the reading group: This is a space for all Faculty of Science grad students to explore education literature and to learn practical teaching and professional development tips backed by science education research. If you would like to actively participate in the discussion, please come in person. If you just want to listen in, you have the option of joining online.
Please contact the Office of Science Education with questions (ose [at] mcgill.ca)
SciLearn First Year Finals Fest
Monday, April 7 - Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Burnside Basement
The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society () and SciLearn are collaboratively hosting the听First Year Finals Fest,听April 7-9,听a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses!
Join us each day in the Burnside Basement to prepare for a successful and healthy final assessment period. View information about each event below.
Where is the Evidence? Practical Skills for Navigating the Chemistry Education Literature听
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 1:00 鈥� 2:30pm,听Otto Maass Chemistry Building, Ruttan Room (321)
This workshop is designed to equip you with the essential skills to find and critically read chemistry education research. By mastering these skills, you not only enhance your current practices but also build a strong foundation for a successful and versatile career.听
2025听Undergraduate Science Showcase
Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 5:00-8:00pm,听University Centre (SSMU) Ballroom听
Join us at the 6th annual Undergraduate Science Showcase to celebrate undergraduate student work! This year鈥檚 Showcase will feature posters, creative projects, 涩里番 community groups, musical performances, and more! Students, faculty, staff, alumni, CEGEP and high school students, and friends and family are invited - come one, come all!
Writing Your Teaching Philosophy Statement
Thursday, March 20, 2025, 1:00-2:30pm, Otto Maass Chemistry Building, Ruttan Room (321)
A teaching philosophy statement (TPS) is a short (1-2 page) personal narrative describing your approach to teaching and learning. It is often a crucial part of a teaching portfolio and job application for an academic position. It is an essential first step in building a reflective and intentional approach to teaching and a tool to monitor your growth as an educator.
Before the workshop, the organizers will send you resources and relevant examples of teaching philosophy statements, so you can begin to reflect on what defines your teaching approach.
During the workshop, we will work on refining and creating your teaching philosophy statement (or part of it). The workshop facilitators will provide feedback on your statement in the weeks following the workshop.听听
SciLearn Workshop: Resilience and Post-Midterm Study Strategies
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 5:30-6:30pm, 2001 涩里番 College, room 650
Join us for this interactive workshop! What we鈥檒l cover: key learning strategies for post-midterm studying, and the neuroscience behind resilience & practical approaches to developing it!
2025 Undergraduate Science Showcase: Workshops & Feedback Clinics
The Undergraduate Science Showcase celebrates the work of students by providing them with an opportunity to share their scientific research, passion projects, in-class work, and more! Since the Showcase is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn and develop essential research skills, presenters are invited to attend one workshop and/or feedback clinic from the dates listed below.
| Workshops | Feedback Clinics |
|---|---|
|
Wednesday, January 22, 6-7 PM, in-person |
Friday, January 24, 3-4 PM, Zoom |
|
Tuesday, January 28, 6-7 PM, in-person |
Thursday, January 30, 12-1 PM, Zoom |
|
Wednesday, February 5, 6-7 PM, in-person |
Friday, February 7, 3-4 PM, Zoom |
|
Tuesday, February 11, 6-7 PM, in-person |
Thursday, February 13, 12-1 PM, in-person |
|
Monday, February 17, 6-7 PM, in-person |
Wednesday, February 19, 3-4 PM, in-person |
|
Tuesday, February 25, 6-7 PM, Zoom |
Thursday, February 27, 12-1 PM, in-person |
| Wednesday, February 26, 6:30-7:30 PM, Zoom | Friday, February 28, 3-4 PM, Zoom |
Chemistry Teaching Assistant Program (Chem TAP) February Workshop: Effective Questioning Skills to Engage Students
Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 12:00鈥�1:00 PM, Ruttan Room (321), Otto Maass Chemistry Building
In this workshop we'll cover how to respond to student questions without giving away the answer and share questioning strategies for engaging students in the learning process.
Facilitators: Danielle Vlaho, Chemistry and V茅ronique Brul茅, Office of Science Education.
Faculty of Science graduate student reading group session: Where the Brain Sciences Meet Pedagogy
Monday, February 10, 2025, 4:00-5:00pm, 2001 涩里番 College, room 650
Where the Brain Sciences Meet Pedagogy: This session will discuss the ethical and social impacts of integrating neuroscience research into education. We will explore barriers to neuroethical education and the roles of various key players in overcoming them.听
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About the reading group: This is a space for all Faculty of Science grad students to explore education literature and to learn practical teaching and professional development tips backed by science education research. If you would like to actively participate in the discussion, please come in person. If you just want to listen in, you have the option of joining online.听
SciLearn Workshop #1: Memory & Attention
Monday, January 27, 2025, 5:30-6:30pm, Burnside Hall Basement, room 1B36
Join us for this interactive workshop! What we'll cover: the neuroscience of memory and attention, how to use retrieval practice, and the benefits of micro-tasking and napping. Enjoy snacks and hot drinks!
Managing Imposter Syndrome: Graduate Student Edition
Thursday, January 23, 2025, 12:00-12:45pm on Zoom
Do you have questions about Imposter Syndrome? You aren鈥檛 the only one. In this workshop, you will learn the definition of Imposter Syndrome as well as its usefulness and limitations as a concept in mental health. You will learn when and how imposter syndrome can show up in your life as a graduate student. We will discuss simple tools and tips to boost your wellbeing and manage self-doubt as it happens. This workshop will be facilitated by Local Wellness Advisors Fanny听Gutierrez-Meyers and听Devon Simpson.
Chemistry Teaching Assistant Program (Chem TAP) January Training Meeting
Thursday, January 9, 2025, 4:30 鈥� 6:30 PM, Otto Maass Lab 128
Hear from instructors and former TAs about teaching in chemistry and participate in discussions with peers about grading and communicating research to various audiences. All Chemistry graduates are welcome.听
SciLearn Orientation Workshop - Strategies for Exam Preparation
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 5:30-6:30pm, Peer Collab Space in the 2001 涩里番 College Avenue Lobby
All undergraduate students are invited to attend this interactive workshop hosted in collaboration with the听First Year Finals Fest. What we'll cover: building a study schedule, best approaches to exam questions, and day-of exam preparation. Take home some goodies to help you prepare!
SciLearn First Year Finals Fest
Monday, December 2, 2024 - Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Peer Collab Space in the 2001 涩里番 College Avenue Lobby
The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (),听and鈥� SciLearn are hosting the First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses!
Reflecting through Collage on your TA Position
Friday, November 22, 2024, 2:30-4:00pm, Pulp & Paper Building, Room 113
Feel like getting crafty?听
As the semester comes to an end, reflecting on your TA position is a powerful exercise as it both helps you recognize your successes, while also allowing you to pinpoint changes for the future. Collaging is a tool that facilitates reflection by providing a physical space to represent and interrogate your experiences. In this 1.5-hour workshop, we will discuss the history of collage as an art form and then create collages to reflect on your TA positions this past term.听
SciLearn Orientation - Workshop #2
Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 5:00-6:00pm, Peer Collab Space (2001 涩里番 College Lobby)
All undergraduate students are invited to attend our trademark 鈥淥rientation鈥� workshops offered throughout the academic year. Using our SciLearn research and feedback from previous participants, we've handpicked the best learning strategies to set you up for a successful first year at 涩里番. The Orientation is only the beginning 鈥� we hope you鈥檒l try out these strategies throughout the semester at SciLearn Peer Collaboration.
Join us for this interactive workshop hosted in collaboration with Midterm Bounceback! What we鈥檒l cover: key learning strategies for post-midterm studying, and the neuroscience behind resilience & practical approaches to developing it!
OSE Breakfast Club: Understanding How Students Interpret Uncertainties in Physics
Tuesday, October 29, 2024, 12:00-1:00pm, Ground floor boardroom, Rutherford Physics Building
For the last five years, the Physics Education Research (PER) group, formed by the Physics Department and the Office of Science Education, has been collecting data from 涩里番 physics undergrads, professors, and grad students regarding the understanding of uncertainties. This talk will provide an overview of the results and insights from this study, and possible future directions for student learning in physics.
Managing Imposter Syndrome: Graduate Student Edition
Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 12:00-12:45pm, Otto Maass Chemistry Building Room 321
Do you have questions about Imposter Syndrome?听 You aren鈥檛 the only one.听 In this workshop, you will learn the definition of Imposter Syndrome as well as its usefulness and limitations as a concept in mental health. You will learn when and how imposter syndrome can show up in your life as a graduate student. We will discuss simple tools and tips to boost your wellbeing and manage self-doubt as it happens.听
SciLearn Orientation- BIOL 111 Session
Monday, September 30, 2024, 1:30-2:00pm, BIOL 111 Classroom
BIOL 111 students are invited to attend our trademark 鈥淥rientation鈥� workshops, offered throughout the academic year. Using our SciLearn research and feedback from previous participants, we've handpicked the best learning strategies to set you up for a successful first year at 涩里番.听
SciLearn Orientation- Workshop #1
Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 5:00-6:00pm, 2001 涩里番 College Lobby
All undergraduate students are invited to attend our trademark 鈥淥rientation鈥� workshops, offered throughout the academic year. Using our SciLearn research and feedback from previous participants, we've handpicked the best learning strategies to set you up for a successful first year at 涩里番.
SciLearn Peer Collaboration Student Welcome Gathering
Monday, September 9, 2024, 3:00-5:00pm, 2001 涩里番 College Lobby
To celebrate the start of the academic year (and the first day of SciLearn Peer Collaboration!), we're hosting the Student Welcome Gathering. Meet fellow students, connect with the SciLearn team, and learn about the resources available to support your academic success.听
Computer Science Teaching Assistant Training
Wednesday, September 5, 2024, 5:30-8:00pm, McConnell Engineering Building
All School of Computer Science teaching assistants (TAs) are invited to attend this training. Co-developed with TAs and faculty, this training is an important part of your preparation to TA. It is a great opportunity not only to better prepare for the term, but also foster connections with other graduate students from across your discipline.
TEAM Fall 2024 Workshops
The Tomlinson Engagement Award for Mentoring (TEAM) workshops are designed to provide TEAM students (TEAMsters) the foundational skills to engage in peer-mentorship in their assigned course(s). In our hour and a half workshop, we will present scenarios that you are likely to encounter and how to tackle them. Understanding that peer-instruction flips inherent power structures within the classroom, our workshop aims to provide all students with the necessary resources to confidently and successfully serve as peer mentors in 涩里番鈥檚 diverse learning community.
If this is your first time as a TEAM mentor, you are strongly encouraged to attend one of our training sessions:
- In-person SciLearn session - Thursday, September 5, 2024听from 5:30-7:00pm (all TEAMsters are welcome to attend, but SciLearn students' registration will be prioritized)
- In-person general session - Wednesday,听September 11, 2024 from 5:30-7:00pm
- Online general session - Thursday, September 26, 2024听from 5:30-7:00pm EST (Zoom)
Chemistry Teaching Assistant Program (Chem TAP) Program Kickoff
Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 5:30-7:30pm, Otto Maass Lab 100
Hear from Instructors and former TAs and participate in discussion with peers about both typical and specialized scenarios that occur in Chemistry classrooms and labs. All graduate students in Chemistry are welcome!
Fostering Student Well-Being Through Assessment
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 1:00-2:00pm on Zoom
The Office of Science Education has been conducting a study on well-being in the classroom. This panel will share some thinking that has come from the study, with panelists discussing experiences and strategies for fostering student well-being in relation to assessment (e.g., flexible grade schemes).听
Accepted Science and Arts & Science Students: Voices of Advisors, Profs & Students
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 7:00-8:00pm on Zoom
All accepted students are invited to join us for an insightful discussion, featuring a diverse panel of advisors, professors, and current students. Gain valuable perspectives as our panelists share their unique viewpoints and offer tips on how to make the most of your first year as a Science or Arts & Science student.
SciLearn First Year Finals Fest
Monday, April 8, 2024 - Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 3:00-5:00pm, 2001 涩里番 College Avenue Lobby
The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (),听Teaching and Learning Services听and鈥� SciLearn are hosting the First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses!
OSE Breakfast Club: Winter 2024 End-of-Term FSCI 396 Symposium
Friday, April 5, 2024, from 10:00-11:00am, MS-74, McLennan Library
Join us for three engaging talks on student research in science education! The Winter 2024 FSCI 396 cohort will share their project findings and takeaways:
- Exploring the Impact of Assessments on Science Self-Efficacy and Agency through Conference-Led Journal Clubs in a Biology Course 鈥� Hannah Mosca
- Putting Students in the Driver鈥檚 Seat: The Use of Written Commentaries in Fostering Students鈥� Disciplinary Agency 鈥� Daniela Padres听
- Understanding ChatGPT: Novel Assignments for Clarifying LLM's Limitations 鈥� Sophia Brynne Tuch
Accepted Science and Arts & Science Students: Student Experience Panel
Wednesday, April 3, 2024, 7:00-8:00pm听on Zoom
Join us as current students share some of the highlights of their experience in the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts & Science degree programs. Gain valuable perspectives, tips, and inspiration to make the most of your own academic journey.
2024 Undergraduate Poster Showcase
Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 6:00-8:00pm,听University Centre (SSMU) Ballroom
The Undergraduate Poster Showcase celebrates the work of students by providing them with an opportunity to share their research, passion projects, in-class work, and more!听Students will present to an audience of alumni, faculty, staff, fellow students, and friends & family.
2024 Undergraduate Poster Showcase: Skills Development Workshops
The Undergraduate Poster Showcase celebrates the work of students by providing them with an opportunity to share their scientific research, passion projects, in-class work, and more! Since the Showcase is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn and develop essential research skills, presenters are invited to attend one workshop from the dates listed below. Presenters are invited to choose the format and date that work best for them.
- In-person session Workshop 1: Poster Development | Monday, February 5, 2024听from 6:00-7:00pm
- Online session Workshop 1: Poster Development | Thursday, February 8, 2024 from 6:00-7:00pm
- In-person session Workshop 2: Presentation Skills | Monday, February 19, 2024 from 6:00-7:00pm
- Online session Workshop 2: Presentation Skills | Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 6:00-7:00pm
TEAM Winter 2024 Workshops
The Tomlinson Engagement Award for Mentoring (TEAM) workshops are designed to provide TEAM students (TEAMsters) the foundational skills to engage in peer-mentorship in their assigned course(s). In our hour and a half workshop, we will present scenarios that you are likely to encounter and how to tackle them. Understanding that peer-instruction flips inherent power structures within the classroom, our workshop aims to provide all students with the necessary resources to confidently and successfully serve as peer mentors in 涩里番鈥檚 diverse learning community. If this is your first time as a TEAM mentor, you are strongly encouraged to attend one of our training sessions:
- In-person SciLearn session - Monday, January 15, 2024听from 5:30-7:00pm听(all TEAMsters are welcome to attend, but SciLearn students' registration will be prioritized)
- In-person general session - Monday, January 22, 2024 from 5:30-7:00pm
- Online general session - Monday, January 29, 2024 from 5:30-7:00pm EST (Zoom)
SciLearn First Year Finals Fest
Monday, December 4, 2023 - Wednesday, December 6, 2023, various locations
Residence Life (RLife), the First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (),听Stay on Track听and鈥� SciLearn hosted the First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses.
OSE Breakfast Club: Hope in the Anthropocene: Empowering Students in Sustainability Education
Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from 10:00-11:00am, Building 21
In this interactive talk, M.A. candidate Daphne Chalmers will present her master鈥檚 thesis research on the pedagogy of hope and the resulting effects on students' sense of empowerment. Join us to learn about the varying cross-disciplinary conceptualizations of hope, and how hope has shaped students' experience in a sustainability course at 涩里番.
OSE Breakfast Club: Supporting Motivation and Engagement in Chemistry
Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 12:00-1:00pm in the Ruttan Room (321), Otto Maass Chemistry Building
Wondering how you can better support student motivation in chemistry courses? Join us for a presentation by So Yeon Lee and Sanheeta Shankar, students working with Dr. Kristy A. Robinson and the. You will learn about the results of the MILES Lab's ongoing research within 涩里番's Faculty of Science and how instructors support student motivation. Design principles for promoting motivation will also be shared.
SciLearn Orientation
Tuesday, October 31, 2023, from 10:00am-12:00pm, Brown Building Room 5001
All U0 & U1 students are invited to attend this interactive workshop on October 31. Spend two hours with the SciLearn team exploring neuroscience-informed strategies that will change the way you think about learning and prepare you for a successful rest of the semester.听
TEAM Workshops: Fall 2023
The Tomlinson Engagement Award for Mentoring (TEAM) workshops are designed to provide TEAM students (TEAMsters) the foundational skills to engage in peer-mentorship in their assigned course(s). In our hour and a half workshop, we present scenarios that you are likely to encounter and how to tackle them. Understanding that peer-instruction flips inherent power structures within the classroom, our workshop aims to provide all students with the necessary resources to confidently and successfully serve as peer mentors in 涩里番鈥檚 diverse learning community.
TEAM workshops are held at the beginning of the Fall and Winter semesters.
Physics Science Teaching Assistant Training
Thursday, September 7, 2023, 6:00-8:30pm, Rutherford Physics Building Auditorium
All teaching assistants (TAs) in the Department of Physics are invited to attend this training.
Computer Science Teaching Assistant Training
Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 5:30-8:00pm, McConnell Engineering room 304
All teaching assistants (TAs) in the School of Computer Science are invited to attend this training.
Chemistry Teaching Assistant Program (Chem TAP) Program Kickoff
Tuesday, September 5, 2023, 5:00-7:00pm, Otto Maas Lab 100
Hear from Instructors and former TAs and participate in discussions with peers about both typical and specialized scenarios that occur in Chemistry classrooms and labs. All graduate students in Chemistry are welcome!
Learning Technology Teaching Exchange
Wednesdays, May 17, 24, and 31, 2023 3:00-4:00pm on Zoom
Are you curious about how other instructors are using learning technologies to increase engagement and interaction in the classroom (whether online, in-person or blended)? Join us for the Learning Technology Teaching Exchange where instructors from 涩里番's Faculty of Science will share their experiences and strategies for using tools like Mural, Polling, ANS, and ChatGPT.听
Wednesday, May 17, 2023:鈥�听Using learning technologies to engage students during class time
Wednesday, May 24, 2023:听Teaching strategies and assessments in the era of ChatGPT
Wednesday, May 31, 2023: Using learning technologies to engage students outside of the classroom
OSE Breakfast Club: Visualizing Invisible Barriers to Learning Using Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality by Hannah Derue
Monday, May 1, 2023, 10:00-11:00am on Zoom
One in five Canadians experiences chronic pain, with high prevalence even in young adults. Pain is fluid, influenced by genetics and sociocultural factors, and incredibly challenging to quantify. It is not only difficult to conceptualize but also a challenging experience to communicate to others. Research shows considerable psychological, social, and academic distress in students living with chronic pain and highlights the need for postsecondary institutions to understand and support this student population. In this project funded by the Building 21 Cordelia Dingle BLUE fellowship, Hannah Derue, Ph.D. candidate in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience, asks 鈥渉ow does chronic pain impact your learning?鈥�. Using artificial intelligence and virtual reality platforms, artwork was produced derived from the testimonies of students and faculty living with chronic pain at 涩里番.
SciLearn First Year Finals Fest
April 11-13, 2023 on Zoom and in-person
Residence Life (RLife), the First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (),听Stay on Track听and鈥� SciLearn hosted the First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses.听
Presentation by Dr. Sara Brownell
Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 10:30-11:30am, 2001 涩里番 College, Room 102
Presentation by Dr. Sara Brownell: Faculty Identity in the Science Classroom: Who is represented, what factors influence revealing concealable identities, and how does revealing affect students?
Description: Faculty as role models and mentors can positively impact students, but yet we know little about the identities of faculty. In this study, we collected data from over 2000 faculty across the United States to document what percentage have concealable stigmatized identities, to what extent they reveal these identities to students in their classes, and how revealing these identities may positively impact students.
Profile: Sara Brownell is a biology education researcher whose research focuses on making undergraduate science learning environments more inclusive. Trained as a Ph.D. neuroscientist, she transitioned to discipline-based education research and is an expert on course-based undergraduate research experiences and making undergraduate science learning experiences, specifically active learning courses and undergraduate research experiences, more inclusive. Her research focuses on students with concealable stigmatized identities such as religious students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities, as well as the impact on students of instructors revealing these identities in the context of the classroom. Her research in biology education has been internationally recognized and featured in Science Magazine, as well as in numerous news outlets, including the NY Times, CNN, and Scientific American.
Dr Sara Brownell's slides on Disclosure Decisions: Exploring the Concealable Stigmatized Identities of Science Instructors, can be seen here: 
Dr Brownell: Disclosure Decisions
The Speaker Series honours our late friend and colleague, Dan Petrescu. Learn more about Dan Petrescu and his legacy.
Breakfast Club: FSCI 396 Winter 2023 End-of-Term Symposium
Monday, April 3, 2023, from 3:30鈥�5:00pm, MS-55 (McLennan Library, behind Service Point)
What is the common link between CHEM 222, NSCI 300, PHYS 101, BSc students teaching, and passion projects? They are all topics of BSc student research in science education design and assessment this term in FSCI 396! Join the Winter 2023 cohort to learn about and discuss their work on Monday April 3rd听from 3:30-5:00pm.
To learn more about FSCI 396 鈥� Research Project in Science Teaching and Learning, you can visit the听Office of Science Education听website.
Student's projects (alphabetical order by first name)
Anna Tripier -听The effects of continuous assessment on student motivation in COMP 202: Experience in Undergraduate Computer Science Course
Emma Arnell听-听Students taking the wheel: Designing a framework to implement student-led mini-courses at 涩里番
James Wang -听Improving the Self-Efficacies of University Undergraduate Students Through Authentic Assessment in BIOL 302
Louis Ghaleb -听Illustrated abstracts - Non-disposable assessments that promote metacognition?
Madalina Patron -听Passion projects within communities of practice
Nicole Xu 鈥撎�Adapting PHYS 101 tutorials
Sophia Tuch -听Student attitudes of two-stage collaborative midterm examination in CHEM 222, a university-level organic chemistry course
Yujia Cui -听The use of authentic assessment to develop self鈥恊fficacies for disciplinary agency in NSCI 300
2023 Undergraduate Poster Showcase
Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 6:00-8:00pm, University Centre Ballroom听
The Undergraduate Poster Showcase celebrates the work of students by providing them with an opportunity to share their scientific research, passion projects, in-class work, and more!
We're thrilled that for the first time since 2020, the Showcase will take place in-person!听Join us on听March 15th, 6-8 PM听in the听University Centre Ballroom,听as students present to an audience of alumni, faculty, staff, fellow students, and friends & family.
2023 Undergraduate Poster Showcase: Presentation Skills Workshops
The Undergraduate Poster Showcase celebrates the work of students by providing them with an opportunity to share their scientific research, passion projects, in-class work, and more! Since the Showcase听is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn and develop essential research skills, presenters are required to attend one workshop from the dates listed below. Presenters are invited to choose the format and date that work best for them.听
- February 22, 2023, 6:00-7:00pm, room 461, 2001听涩里番 College Ave., Montreal QC
- February 23, 2023, 6:00-7:00pm on听Zoom
Breakfast Club: Creative Activities Promote Student Motivation and Engagement in a Large Cell Biology Course
Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 10:00鈥�11:00am, MS-55 (behind Service Point)
Want to learn more about strategies to promote student motivation in the classroom? Join us for a presentation by Isaac Bouhdana and Gary Brouhard who will share their findings on the implementation of creative activities in BIO 201.
SciLearn Orientation: Winter 2023 Session
Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 7:00-9:00pm on Zoom
U0 & U1 students are invited to attend a 2-hour 鈥渙rientation鈥� session. Using feedback from our previous participants, we've handpicked the best learning strategies and content to set you up for a great first year at 涩里番.
TEAM Workshops: Winter 2023
The Tomlinson Engagement Award for Mentoring (TEAM) workshops are designed to provide TEAM students (TEAMsters) the foundational skills to engage in peer-mentorship in their assigned course(s). In our hour and a half workshop, we will present scenarios that you are likely to encounter and how to tackle them. Understanding that peer-instruction flips inherent power structures within the classroom, our workshop aims to provide all students with the necessary resources to confidently and successfully serve as peer mentors in 涩里番鈥檚 diverse learning community.
If this is your first time as a TEAM mentor, you are strongly encouraged to attend one of our training sessions. This Winter 2023 we have the following training sessions still available:
- In-person SciLearn session听- Monday,听January 9,听 2023, 5:30-7:00pm听(Registration closed)
- Online General Session: Thursday, January 19, 2023, 5:30-7:00pm听(Registration closed)
- In-person General Session: Friday, January 27, 2023, 5:30-7:00pm
Breakfast Club: FSCI 396 Symposium: Research Project in Science Teaching and Learning
Tuesday, November 29, 2022: 10:00-11:30am, McLennan Library Building, Room MS-55 (Near Service Point)
Faculty of Science students not only investigate the natural world, but also science education at 涩里番! Join the fall 2022 FSCI 396 鈥� Research Project in Science Teaching and Learning students as they talk about their work on universal design for learning, two-stage exams, illustrated abstracts, and agency in our classes and undergraduate student research. Featuring Abigail Wolfensohn (Neuroscience), Chuxuan Nie (Mathematics), Faye Nikolettos (Neuroscience), and Patrick Horlaville (Physics).
Breakfast Club: Climate Research: A Team Effort
Thursday November 10, 2022, 11:00am鈥�12:00pm - IN PERSON!
Want to learn more about the importance of interdisciplinary research on the Arctic and Climate Change? Join us for a presentation by Lizz Webb, recipient of the Science Education Conference Award (SECA), who will share findings from the CHESS Winter School on Sea-Ice-Ocean Interactions that took place in Longyearbyen, Svalbard this past May.
Dan Petrescu Speaker Series 2022
Looking to use the latest research in cognitive science to boost student learning in coursework?鈥� Join us for a speaker series tailored for鈥� 涩里番 instructors鈥� and鈥� open to all with an interest in cognition and education.
The Fall 2022 edition features a presentation by Dr. Sanjay Sarma, current听Professor of Mechanical Engineering and former Vice President for Open Learning at MIT, and author of the book "". This event series is part of听SciLearn, the Office of Science Education鈥檚 program to help 涩里番 students get the most out of university learning.
Presentation by Dr. Sanjay Sarma: Rethinking Learning
Friday, October 21, 2022, 1:00-2:00pm
The Speaker Series honours our late friend and colleague, Dan Petrescu.听听Learn More about Dan Petrescu and his Legacy.
Info Session: Study on Equitable Learning Environments
Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 12:00pm on Zoom
Please join us for a short zoom meeting about participating in an REB-approved pilot student on fostering healthy learning environments for all students. During this session you鈥檒l hear from the OSE team and Dr. David Zandvliet, author of the听: Zandvliet, D.B., Stanton, A. & Dhaliwal, R. Design and Validation of a Tool to Measure Associations between the Learning Environment and Student Well-Being: The听Healthy Environments and Learning Practices Survey听(HELPS).听Innov High Educ听44, 283鈥�297 (2019).
Breakfast Club: Linking Active Learning and Critical Thinking in a Large Biochemistry Class
Thursday September 29, 2022, 11:00am鈥�12:00pm on Zoom
Wondering if students are gaining critical thinking skills through their coursework? Join us for a presentation by Winston Ge, alumnus of Anatomy & Cell Biology, and Dr. Maxime Denis, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, who will share the results of their recent study investigating the link between active learning and critical thinking in a large Biochemistry class.听
TEAM Workshops Fall 2022
The Tomlinson Engagement Award for Mentoring (TEAM) workshops are designed to provide TEAM students (TEAMsters) the foundational skills to engage in peer-mentorship in their assigned course(s). In this hour and a half workshop via Zoom, we will present scenarios that you are likely to encounter and how to tackle them. Understanding that peer-instruction flips inherent power structures within the classroom, our workshop aims to provide all students with the necessary resources to confidently and successfully serve as peer mentors in 涩里番鈥檚 diverse learning community.
During the Fall 2022, the following training sessions were available to TEAM students:
- General (all mentors are welcome) - Monday, September 26, 2022, 6:30-8:00pm EST via Zoom
- General (all mentors are welcome) - Monday September 19, 2022, 6:30-8:00pm EST via Zoom
- STEM Workshop - Tuesday, September 13, 2022, 6:30-800pm EST on Zoom
- SciLearn - Friday,听September 9, 2022, 6:30-8:00pm EST on Zoom
Large Class Teaching Exchange
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 12:00-1:00pm on Zoom
Are you teaching a large class and are looking for ways to check in with students on how the class is going? The Office of Science Education, in collaboration with Teaching and Learning Services, invites you to join us for a teaching exchange session focused on gathering in-course feedback from students.
Large Class Teaching Exchange
Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 1:30鈥�2:30pm on Zoom
Are you teaching a large class online next term and are looking for ideas to promote student learning and engagement? The Office of Science Education, in collaboration with Teaching and Learning Services, invites you to join us for a teaching exchange session focused on sharing online strategies that have worked well for instructors from a variety of disciplines.
SciLearn Speaker Series 2021
Looking to use the latest research in cognitive science to boost student learning in coursework? Join us for a new speaker series tailored for 涩里番 instructors and open to all with an interest in cognition and education.
The series launches with a presentation and workshop by听from McMaster University and is part of听SciLearn, the Office of Science Education鈥檚 program to help 涩里番 students get the most out of university learning.
Presentation by Dr. Joe Kim:听Motivating Durable Learning: Focused Attention through Instructional Design
Friday, October 22, 2021, 11:30am鈥�12:30pm
听Workshop for instructors led by Dr. Faria Sana:听Taking the Big 3 into the Classroom听
听Friday, October 29,听11:30am鈥�1:00pm
Incoming Students Panel: Your First Year in Science at 涩里番
Friday, June 11, 2021, 11:00am鈥�12:00pm
The Faculty of Science and the Office for Science Education are thrilled to invite all incoming students to a panel discussion featuring professors and current students. Panelists will share their experiences with remote teaching and learning and give incoming students a sneak peek of what they can expect in Fall 2021.
Large Class Teaching Exchange
Tuesdays, starting May 25, 2021, 12:00-1:00pm
Are you teaching a large class online this Fall and are looking for ideas to promote student learning and engagement? The Office of Science Education, in collaboration with Teaching and Learning Services, invites you to join us for a teaching exchange series focused on sharing online strategies that have worked well for instructors from a variety of disciplines.
Ask Us Anything: Faculty Perspectives and Plans for Fall 2020
Tuesday, July 28, 2020, 11:00am-12:30pm
The Faculty of Science invites all incoming 涩里番 B.Sc. and B.A. & Sc. students to a panel and discussion with their future professors. The professors, who teach courses for U0 and U1 students, will share their plans for the fall semester and respond to questions!
Panel Discussion: Your first year in Science at 涩里番
Friday, June 12, 2020, 10:30-11:30am
The Faculty of Science and the Office for Science Education would like to invite all incoming students to a panel discussion featuring professors and current students. Panelists will share听their experiences with remote teaching and learning and give听incoming students a sneak peek of听what they can expect in Fall 2020.
Panel Discussion on Remote Teaching in the Faculty of Science
Monday, May 25, 2020, 3:00-4:00pmThe Faculty of Science in collaboration with Teaching and Learning Services will hold a Panel Discussion on Remote Teaching on Monday, May 25, 2020, 3-4pm. The Panel is geared to all faculty members, faculty lecturers, Chairs, and Departmental Managers.
The Panel will have three parts:
- Presentation on key strategies for engaging and assessing students in Fall 2020
- Brief presentations by instructors Laura Pavelka, Chemistry and Nik Provatas, Physics and two students
- Q & A with participants
Academia Week Poster Showcase
February听11, 2020, 5:00-7:00pm,听New Residence Hall
Join us for the first Undergraduate Poster Showcase on February 11, 2020! This event, sponsored by the听, the听听and听, is the opening event for the SUS Academia Week. This is your chance to see undergraduate students present research, projects and assignments. All types of work will be showcased including projects completed inside and outside of class. Students, staff, faculty and alumni are most welcome to attend!听
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