Guided by MomentUM: Leading Change Together, UM is committed to empowering learners through dynamic learning experiences that meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body. Investing in SoTL enables instructors and faculty members to examine their teaching practices, incorporate evidence-based findings, and ultimately, improve student success.

The 2025 SoTL Support Fund has awarded five Seed projects, a stream within the scaffolded-funding program which supports time-limited and innovative new teaching and learning research ideas with a budget of up to $6000. These projects span a range of disciplines, each offering an innovative approach to advancing research-based teaching and learning at UM.

Empowering Statistical Minds: Data Exploration for Student Engagement

Project lead: Hina Shaheen, Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science

Bridging the gap between theoretical statistical concepts and real-world applications can be challenging for many Statistics students. Traditional lecture-based approaches often encourage rote memorization of formulas rather than deep understanding. This project will introduce small-group, collaborative experiments using real-world databases, promoting active learning through data exploration and statistical decision-making. The hands-on problem-solving activities aim to strengthen students’ analytical reasoning, decision-making, and statistical interpretation skills. Analysis of students’ behavioural, emotional, and social engagement outcomes will inform and support ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing student success and career readiness.

Live Podcasting in Teacher Education: Amplifying Engagement, Dialogue, and Multimodal Literacies

Project lead: Amir Michalovich, Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Education

This project examines the extent to which live podcasting in class can cultivate engaging, dialogic, and multimodal classroom discussions for students in teacher education. Given the rapid advancement of generative AI, it is increasingly important to explore classroom-based assignments involving students co-developing and demonstrating their knowledge. While some research has explored the use of pre-recorded or edited podcasts in post-secondary education, it has rarely examined digital multimodal assignments conducted live in class. This study addresses that gap by exploring how these tools can impact student engagement with course content, participation in dialogic learning, and development of communicative skills across multimodal literacies (e.g., speaking, listening, writing, viewing, and representing). 

Team-based collaborative learning from the head to the toes to better health for all

Project lead: Dr. Laura MacDonald, Dental Hygiene, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences

This project pilots an interprofessional team-based collaborative experiential learning program aimed at facilitating the integration of oral health within comprehensive health care. It will examine students’ perspectives of a novel interprofessional education (IPE) initiative delivered in a dental clinic setting. Both existing research and the outcomes of a recent Rady Faculty of Health Sciences interprofessional simulation indicate a persistent gap in incorporating oral health within comprehensive health-care practice. Situating this intervention within a dental clinic is intended to help health professional students connect oral health with overall health and roles and responsibilities to ensure comprehensive health care. Findings will offer curriculum IPE developers valuable insights into the key traits students believe support interprofessional collaboration competencies, specifically relationship-focused care, clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and collaborative leadership.

Case-Based Learning in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design

Project co-leads: Yuhao Lu, Department of Landscape Architecture and Mark Meagher, Environmental Design Program

In landscape architecture and design education, students often struggle to build and apply an accurate vocabulary for describing spatial patterns. Relying solely on memorized definitions limits students’ abilities to recognize or articulate design intensions in new contexts. Applying case-based learning principles, which emphasize that deeper understanding emerges from exposure to concrete examples, this project will give students access to real-world cases in the form of project drawings and photographs. A curated collection of design patterns and vocabulary will be developed from an extensive database of precedents and enhanced through state-of-the-art machine learning. Students will submit their own sketches, which the system will analyze to generate key vocabulary terms to describe the patterns and examples of related patterns across multiple design disciplines. Pre- and post-project surveys will assess the tool’s impact on students’ design literacy, pattern recognition, and communicative competence.

Collaborative Proof Writing: Enhancing Mathematical Understanding and Communication Skills Through Group-Based Learning

Project lead: Jamie de Jong, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science

Writing mathematical proofs can be a significant challenge for undergraduate students, who must shift from the computational problem-solving emphasized in high school to the formal reasoning required in university mathematics. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of targeted in-class group activities designed to strengthen both mathematical understanding and communication. The activities will focus on analyzing and writing mathematical proofs, with opportunities for immediate feedback from both instructors and peers. While peer feedback is well-established in writing-intensive fields, its application in proof-based mathematics is limited. Surveys and assessments of student performance will be used to measure the effectiveness of this teaching approach.

Learn more about how UM is supporting teaching excellence.

“This is an extremely popular field of study at the moment, as changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiome have been shown to be associated with all sorts of diseases”, says McGregor.

The size and the atypical probability distribution of microbiome data are the two main challenges that scientists face in this field. McGregor’s work is novel in developing methodologies for data dimension reduction. His PhD student, Saurabh Panchasara, has developed a method that addresses this.

To learn more about McGregor’s work and his vision for the future, please visit the Faculty of Science’s YouTube channel.

Oobleck pool!

Science Rendezvous is hosted by the UM Faculty of Science along with our campus and community partners. But the stars of the show are the more than 400 fantastic volunteers who make the event possible. We cannot wait to welcome you back for an exciting day filled with engaging science shows and booths. This is Winnipeg’s biggest and most remarkable science outreach event of the year!

Giant bubble trap!

Ready to get your hands dirty? Trap a person inside a giant bubble made of soap, water and glycerin. Run fast over our popular oobleck pool and don’t stop, or you will sink (up to your ankles)! Use plastic spoons to catch and release various critters from Oak Hammock Marsh.

Need a less messy activity? Visit us at the “Atomic Curiosities” booth to learn about radioactivity. Explore the “Math Mania” booth for brain-boosting math puzzles and games no matter how old you are. Or join us for a calm space to look at jaw-dropping rocks and fossils!

Look at the sun through the telescope!

This year’s theme is Wonder! We invite you to fuel your curiosity and look through our telescopes to view the sun. Learn more about polar bears at the “Polar Bears on Thin Ice” booth. Challenge yourself to code and move a pre-built robot arm. Or use small solar panels to light up little lights and sound buzzers!

Chemistry show!

With more than 50 science booths, our volunteers are excited to show kids the magic of science. But they are also secretly hoping to see the spark of curiosity and delight on adults’ faces, too. Whether you are bringing kids or coming on your own, we have something for you, and we are excited to see you there!

This event is FREE to attend, and no sign-ups are necessary except for science shows. To learn more, visit our website.

Sign up to volunteer for Science Rendezvous!

Discover Days 2025, an invite-only version of Science Rendezvous, intended for schools only, happens April 29th and 30th this year. We encourage you to also choose to volunteer for Discover Days when you are filling out the Science Rendezvous volunteer application.

The new fellows come from across UM, representing both the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts, and include a former Warden and Vice-Chancellor of SJC.

We caught up with them to see what joining the St John’s community means to them. 

Jenna Tichon: Faculty of Science, Department of Statistics

Dr. Jenna Tichon focuses her research on experimental design, where she looks to find optimal split-plot designs for industrial and agricultural experiments. Jenna uses programming and simulation to develop a deeper understanding of statistical concepts, data visualization, and creating accessible research.

Jenna shares her excitement about learning from other academics and making new connections.

“I’m most excited about meeting and working with new people, learning about their research, and contributing to making the University of Manitoba a more vibrant and friendly place to work and learn. Every fellow speaks about what a strong community they felt at the College and how much they learned by sharing experiences with colleagues from all around the university.” 

Aleeza Gerstein: Faculty of Science, Department of Microbiology and Statistics

Before moving back to her hometown of Winnipeg, Aleeza studied in the Zoology Department at the University of British Columbia, where she focused on evolutionary genetics using the budding yeast, and held a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota.

Her research applies evolutionary principles and statistical methods to understand the factors that influence how and why fungal populations evolve.

About joining St John’s, Aleeza says, 

“I greatly welcome the opportunity as a Fellow to form additional relationships with others across the university community. Creating and fostering community is an overarching thread that has driven much of the service I have undertaken as a faculty member.”

Gregg Olsen: Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology and Criminology

As an esteemed sociologist, Gregg Olsen has spent over three decades researching socio-economic inequality and strategies to eradicate it. A recipient of the Arts Award in Internationalization, he has given public addresses and conducted research in over twenty nations. His cross-national approach has furthered his understanding of why inequality varies dramatically across countries and time.

Murdith McLean: Former Warden and Vice-Chancellor of St John’s College 

Murdith McLean is no stranger to St John’s College, having served as Warden and Vice-Chancellor from 1980 through 1997. He was also an adjunct professor in the UM Department of Philosophy and served in several important roles at the University. He was a Senate appointee to the Board of Governors, and member of the President’s task force on strategic planning. 

The former Warden returns to St John’s College as a retired fellow.

To learn more about St John’s College fellowship, visit our website. 

Register now for the Solar + Storage seminar.

This seminar is free but registration is required. Light refreshments will be served.

A short description of the seminar

Canadian Solar is constantly examining the emergence of solar + storage across global markets. It is a fact that the demand for renewable energy sources continues to surge. We have seen the installed storage capacity double in the past year and anticipate that the new technologies powered by AI will further accelerate these trends.​ This surge underscores the importance of integrating energy solutions to ensure grid stability and reliability. 

​This seminar will include the following and more:

• The global trends in solar energy and the future of solar + storage, as we see it from the business and the technical perspective
• Acknowledging the impact of Dr. Shawn Qu in the renewable energy sector​
• Sharing a case study: the future is already happening and Canadian Solar is contributing to the advancement of clean energy

About the speaker

Colin Parkin, President, e-STORAGE

Colin Parkin is the President of e-STORAGE, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. He has been a driving force in Canadian Solar’s journey for the past fifteen years and a key contributor to its remarkable growth and success. Colin is renowned for his ability to build and lead teams across multiple markets, advancing technology, product development and integrating solar and energy storage opportunities. With a keen eye for innovation and a passion for sustainable energy solutions, Colin has played a pivotal role in driving the solar + storage revolution and expanding the business into global markets.

Mr. Parkin has extensive management experience in renewable energy, energy storage and photovoltaic solar sectors in both Canadian and international markets. His expertise includes project development and management, structured project finance and engineering procurement construction management.

Previously, Mr. Parkin served as Vice President of the Energy Group at Canadian Solar Inc. In this role, he oversaw the development of an operationally asset-managed 8-gigawatt project pipeline across various global regions. He was involved in significant asset sales and project financing transactions with top investment groups and lenders.

Before joining Canadian Solar, Mr. Parkin worked at Photowatt International, developing high-volume manufacturing processes for photovoltaic solar modules using advanced Spheral Silicon technology. He also managed the design and integration of capital equipment for a new photovoltaic module production process.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Parkin worked at Automation Tooling Systems (ATS), coordinating the development and commercialization of advanced medical diagnostic equipment, where he collaborated with doctors, engineers and scientists to bring sophisticated diagnostic systems to market.

Mr. Parkin founded and served as CEO of Integrated Manufacturing Technologies (IMT), where he led the business development and expansion of automated manufacturing solutions for the automotive industry.

Mr. Parkin studied Manufacturing Engineering at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, Canada.
Colin Parkin’s leadership and innovative approach have significantly contributed to the growth and success of Canadian Solar Inc. in the renewable energy industry.

About e-STORAGE

e-STORAGE is a subsidiary of Canadian Solar specializing in designing, manufacturing and integrating battery energy storage systems for utility-scale applications. The company offers its proprietary LFP battery solution, Solbank, comprehensive EPC services and innovative solutions to enhance grid operations and integrate clean energy. e-STORAGE has successfully implemented over 4.5 GWh DC of battery energy storage solutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and China. The Company operates two fully automated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities with an annual production capacity of 20 GWh.

About Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world’s largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery energy storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery energy storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. Over the past 22 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered over 118 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Likewise, since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built, and connected around 10 GWp of solar power projects and 3.3 GWh of battery energy storage projects across the world. Currently, the Company has approximately 1 GWp of solar power projects in operation, 7.4 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 19.9 GWp of projects in the advanced and early-stage pipeline. In addition, the Company has 600 MWh of battery energy storage projects in operation and a total battery energy storage project development pipeline of approximately 55 GWh, including approximately 3.5 GWh under construction or in backlog, and an additional 51 GWh at advanced and early-stage development. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

It is essential to note that while this transformative process unfolds, certain academic departments and administrative offices, including the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics, along with the Faculty of Science Dean’s Office (including advisors), will undergo temporary relocation. However, our dedication to providing uninterrupted support and services to our valued students and community remains steadfast.

We are here to provide timely updates and assist you as we go through this. For the latest updates and information, please refer to our new web page Machray Hall redevelopment, follow us on social media and keep an eye on digital signs across campus.

If there are any issues in terms of accessibility, please reach out to the General Offices of your department, your course instructors or the Accessibility Office.

The 2024 Science Spark 3K Pitch Competition presented by BAM is happening on April 8th, 1:00 p.m. in Marshall McLuhan Hall (204 UMSU University Centre) as 9 teams of science students pitch their innovative ideas and compete for a chance to win a $3,000 cash prize! The event is free but registration is required.

Register now!

“Walking into Science Rendezvous organizing committee I didn’t know what to expect, but the invaluable friendships, memories, and skills I gained far exceeded anything I could have ever imagined. I’m excited to see what this year will bring,” says Simran Dhaliwal, 2023 volunteer and Executive Committee member.

Sign up now to volunteer with Science Rendezvous.

Dr. Elif Acar, Dr. Margaret Docker, Dr. Deborah Court, Dr. Samar Safi-Harb, Dr. Parimala Thulasiraman

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is Feb. 11, 2024, and we talked with five women in the Faculty of Science about their experiences. They reminded us that it takes a community to empower girls from a young age to pursue science, that having a family should be compatible with being a researcher, and that representation matters to let women and girls know what is possible for them with a career in science. They shared their proudest moments, including their students’ achievements, the supportive and inclusive environment they have created in their labs, persevering and landing their dream job, and publishing book chapters to make impactful contributions to their field of study.