Program and Events

What do you see in your energy future?

To explore the future of energy, FES is offering many varied events as part of our Science Odyssey planning. From experiments to storytimes to explorations of the exciting research experts are pioneering at the University of Alberta, there's something for everyone: every interest and every age group.

Some events are happening live, and you'll need to register for them to attend. Registration information is provided below. Here's a summary of all the exciting events you can take part in over Science Odyssey:

Charge Up for an Energy Adventure!

May 7, 2022
11:00 - 15:00 MT

Science Rendezvous with Telus World of Science Edmonton
11211 142 Street NW

Join University of Alberta energy systems researchers to explore the energizing world around us.

Energy! Climate change! The environment! Do you wonder how it all works? 

Tommy and Remi, the Energy Adventurers, are ready to lead you on a journey to explore the energizing world around us! Spend a day at Telus World of Science with University of Alberta researchers and get hands on with energy activities that teach us about the ways we power our daily lives!

Explore sources of electricity, learn about land reclamation, practice sustainability and more as researchers guide you through fun experiments, crafts, and activities suitable for kids and families. You’ll also have the chance to win an Energy Adventures of Tommy and Remi storybook!

Learn More

DIY Water Treatment for Kids

May 10, 2022
18:00 - 19:00pm MT

Register Here!

Have you ever looked at a dirty cup of water and wondered how you can make it cleaner? Tonight you will learn how!

Join Kia Barrow and Future Energy Systems as she teaches you about water quality, water treatment and the connection to energy consumption. Then build  a DIY water filtration system at home.

Bring these materials to make your own filter:

• 1 2L plastic bottle with cap
• 1 clear plastic/paper cup
• 1 coffee filter
• 1 cup of sand
• 1 cup of gravel/rocks
• 1 cup of crushed activated charcoal (optional)
• 1 pair of scissors or utility knife
• Handful of cotton balls
• 1L Muddy water (made from mixing dirt and water beforehand)

Kia Barrow is a Masters student in Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta, whose greatest passion is solving world issues like lack of access to clean water.  

Cost: Free

Become An Earth Doctor

May 11, 2022
17:00 - 18:00 MT

Register Here!

Do you want to be an Earth Doctor? Explore the steps of land reclamation with land reclamation scientists from Future Energy Systems and the Land Reclamation International Graduate School, University of Alberta.  By playing along with the Dungeons and Dragons style game, you will face the challenges of land reclamation and try to heal the Earth yourself.

This session is recommended for children age 11 to 15 and families, however everyone is welcome.

The supplies you will need are: blank paper, pencil/pen, a dice (or random number generator).

This session is repeated three times to account for various time zones and availability, sign up for any of the three.

Cost: Free

Drawing STEM With Illustrator, Kaitlin Pylypa

May 12, 2022
18:30 - 19:30 MT

Register Here!  

Interested in learning about drawing? Want to create your own characters? Join artist and illustrator, Kaitlin Pylypa, as she walks you through how to draw Remi, one of the main characters, from The Energy Adventures of Tommy and Remi. From cutting out shapes to drawing to using the computer, start with one character and learn how to expand to anything you want to draw.

Bring these materials:

• Pencil or pencil crayons
• White paper
• 5 pieces of coloured paper (various colours)
• 1 pair of scissors

Kaitlin Pylypa has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University. She is the Multimedia Outreach Assistant for Future Energy Systems, and artists with specific training in illustration, painting and life drawing. 

Audience: Family, pre school kids, elementary school kids, secondary school students

Cost: Free

Science Story Time - The Mystery of the Glowing Light

May 14, 2022
11:00 - 12:00 MT

Register Here!

Join Future Energy Systems as they read their animal energy adventure exploring where your electricity comes from, in The Mystery of the Glowing Light. Story time will be followed by hands-on experiments and crafts exploring electricity, including making circuits, static electricity butterflies, and more. 

Join us May 14, 11-12, at the Strathcona Branch of the Edmonton Public Library (8331 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4E9) to get hands on with energy.

How Big Is My Carbon Footprint?

May 15, 2022
10:00 - 11:00 MT

Register Here!

We, as individuals, contribute towards global greenhouse gas emissions. Knowing how to measure your individual emissions, or footprint as it is sometimes called, is the first step towards managing and ultimately reducing it.

In this event, you will join Dr. Neelakshi Joshi and explore ways of calculating our carbon footprint using an online tool and discuss ways of reducing it. The aim of the session is for participants to experience some of the possibilities and challenges of reducing individual GHG footprints.

Audience - family, students, adults

Wind Power with TeamUp Science!

May 17, 2022
18:30 - 19:30 MT

Register Here!

Energy is all around us and we can use many kinds of it! Even the wind blowing outside can be used by humans! Join Alan Han (TeamUp Science) and Future Energy Systems as he teaches you about how to harness the energy from the wind and make your own windmill at home. 

Bring these materials to make your own wind turbine:

• 1 milk carton or show box (per turbine)
• 3 skewers
• 2 corks
• About an arms length of string
• 4 pieces of construction paper
• 1 roll of tape
• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 ruler

Alan Han is a 4th year bachelors of science student at the University of Alberta with a passion for teaching all forms of science! When he isn’t studying biology and psychology, he likes to sing musicals in the shower and spend time with his dog.

TeamUp Science is a non-profit organization and student group at the University of Alberta that seeks to provide educational opportunities to inner city and rural students. They offer free programming for grade school students and host multiple workshops and competitions for students to become more involved in the STEAM fields.

Cost: Free

Energy Talks

A zero-emission energy system: Motivation, challenges and the hydrogen pathway

May 18, 2022
19:00 - 20:30 MT

Register Here!

Creating a zero-emission energy system has been proven to be a challenging endeavour. Decreasing costs of renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy, are encouraging people to hypothesize that an era of affordable renewable electricity is nigh, however affordable electricity production alone will not result in a zero-emission energy system. Electrons are difficult to store and they cannot be used to power many applications, e.g., a trans-oceanic aircraft. The last puzzle to the energy transition will be the development of large scale, flexible, and zero-emission energy storage solutions. In this quest for an appropriate, large-scale energy storage media, hydrogen appears to have many benefits, such as ease of storage in large quantities, flexibility of use, and efficient conversion to other forms of energy. In this talk, worldwide primary energy consumption will be discussed in order to assess the required changes to the current energy system. Next, the challenges associated with a transition to a renewable-powered energy system will be discussed. Finally, the role of hydrogen as a storage media and fuel of the future will be assessed.

Marc Secanell is a Professor at the University of Alberta. He received his Ph.D. (2008) and M.Sc. (2004) from the University of Victoria and B.Eng. (2002) from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (BarcelonaTech). His research interests are in the areas of: analysis and computational design of energy systems, such as hydrogen polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), polymer electrolyzers, flywheels and cooling towers; fabrication and characterization of PEFCs and electrolyzers; finite element analysis; and multidisciplinary design optimization. His current research projects include the development of an open-source framework for analysis and design of electrochemical energy systems (OpenFCST), and the fabrication and characterization of low loading PEFCs and electrolyzers.

Become An Earth Doctor

May 20, 2022
15:00 - 16:00 MT

Register Here!

Do you want to be an Earth Doctor? Explore the steps of land reclamation with land reclamation scientists from Future Energy Systems and the Land Reclamation International Graduate School, University of Alberta.  By playing along with the Dungeons and Dragons style game, you will face the challenges of land reclamation and try to heal the Earth yourself.

This session is recommended for children age 11 to 15 and families, however everyone is welcome.

The supplies you will need are: blank paper, pencil/pen, a dice (or random number generator).

This session is repeated three times to account for various time zones and availability, sign up for any of the three.

Cost: Free

Science Story Time - The Case of the Shiny Roof

May 21, 2022
11:00 - 12:00 MT

Register Here!

Join Future Energy Systems as they read their animal energy adventure exploring the energy from the sun, in The Case of the Shiny Roof. Story time will be followed by hands-on experiments and crafts exploring solar energy, including making stained glass windows, testing solar heat, and more.

Join us May 21, 11-12, at the Strathcona Branch of the Edmonton Public Library (8331 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4E9) to get hands on with energy.

Become An Earth Doctor

May 22, 2022
11:00 - 12:00 MT

Register Here!

Do you want to be an Earth Doctor? Explore the steps of land reclamation with land reclamation scientists from Future Energy Systems and the Land Reclamation International Graduate School, University of Alberta.  By playing along with the Dungeons and Dragons style game, you will face the challenges of land reclamation and try to heal the Earth yourself.

This session is recommended for children age 11 to 15 and families, however everyone is welcome.

The supplies you will need are: blank paper, pencil/pen, a dice (or random number generator).

This session is repeated three times to account for various time zones and availability, sign up for any of the three.

Cost: Free