Oh World's Fair, how I've neglected you...

... although not without reason. Time has been really tight this semester so far, and the last couple weeks have seen a myriad of different things going on. In no particular order, they are:

1. This new global issues course. Talk about a new experience! Here, I was charged with talking about climate change science in a space of 4 and a half hours, to an audience where half the students were science majors and the other half were arts major. i.e. How to pick and choose the topics of most relevance for such a short timespan, and make it interesting and accessible to students from two very different academic backgrounds. Oh yeah, by the way, I'm not a climatologist, or geologist, or oceanographer. Anyway, the lectures went...hmmm... o.k. (I think I'm usually my own harshest critic), but now I have a totally clear idea of how I would do it next time. Actually, one exercise I'd like to do is represent the lecture notes on this blog, part by part, over the next few weeks- maybe even get some comments from you all.

2. I'm also in wedding planning mode, arranging for a visit by Sheila Watt-Cloutier. She was recently nominated for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (along with Al Gore, and the IPCC) for her advocacy on climate change effects on the Inuit culture. Essentially, you have this scenario where the climate effects are significantly amplified in the Northern poles, and it's having a huge effect on pretty much every facet of life up there. This should be a great talk - if you're a UBCer, do check it out. You can get more information on it right here.

3. Science and creative writing and young children? Say it isn't so - oh yes, it's totally game on. More on this later, but if you are a Vancouverish teacher of a grade 6/7 class, and this sounds interesting, do drop me a line. We're ramping up logistics as we speak.

4. And finally. How does this look?

I am really looking forward to this. We have a great scientist line up for this event which includes the likes of Brett Finlay, Jaymie Matthews, and Daniel Pauly. Should be a hoot. Again, if you're a Vancouverish teacher who knows of a high school student into this sort of stuff, go check out my facility's website for more information.