University of Alberta

Alumni Weekend

Alumni Weekend Sept. 19-21, 2019

Excitement is building as the Faculty of Science prepares to welcome another school year. Come back to campus for an Alumni Weekend filled with events for all ages: relive memories, reconnect with friends, and experience the great things happening at the University of Alberta.

All events are free, and don't forget to register!


Events

Dean of Science at University of Alberta, Dr. Matina Kalcounis-Rueppel, in front of the North Saskatchewan River.

Dean's Reception

Friday, September 20, 2019

Faculty of Science alumni, faculty, and friends are invited to attend this special reception hosted by new Dean Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell. Don’t miss this chance to reunite with your classmates and professors, and learn what’s new in the Faculty of Science.

The reception will be followed by Science Talks (separate registration not required).

Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: CCIS, PCL Lounge
Cost: Free
RSVP by Sept. 16

Lithium powder being sprinkled on a magnified lens.

Science Talks

Friday, September 20, 2019

Get your learn on, and join us for a fun evening where we explore real-world science. In the spirit of TEDx, Nerd Nite, and PechaKucha, Science Talks is all about sharing interesting science topics in under 15 minutes. This year’s theme is Powering the Future—alumni, researchers, and students will be sharing their work in various conventions and developing technologies. Open to all alumni and friends.

Time: 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: CCIS 1-440
Cost: Free
RSVP by Sept. 16

A young boy observing a chemistry experiment being conducted by two female chemists in CCIS at UAlberta during Alumni Weekend events.

Let's Discover Science

Saturday, September 21, 2019

UAlberta alumni and their curious little ones are invited for a fun afternoon of interactive experiments, demos, and tours. There's plenty to explore with this year's theme: The Science of Magic! Be sure to check out other family-friendly activities all over campus—including an indoor stage show with Will Stroet, nature-themed building projects and demos, storytelling with visiting elders, and more.

Time: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: CCIS, South Atrium
Cost: Free
RSVP by Sept. 18

Science Talks

Chris Doornbos in front of the North Saskatchewan River skyline

Evolution of energy

Chris Doornbos
President, CEO, Director of E3 Metals Corp.

Disruptive technology doesn’t replace existing systems overnight. For instance, lithium-ion batteries powerful enough to rival internal combustion vehicles are only five years old. While electric vehicles (EV) stand to grow in market share over the next decade, they bring new challenges—including sourcing valuable lithium. Learn how E3 Metals and the Alessi Lab at UAlberta have developed a disruptive technology for the extraction of lithium from brines—and how E3 Metals, with this technology, looks to put Alberta on the map as a major lithium producer.

Jonathan Banks in his research lab in the department of earth and atmospheric sciences at UAlberta.

The energy beneath our feet

Jonathan Banks
Research Associate in the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

The Earth contains abundant geothermal energy that can be used directly for heating, or—when hot enough—turned into electricity. Learn about some of the many opportunities for geothermal energy development through the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin. Discover how geothermal energy production works, the types of geothermal power projects that may be feasible locally, and how geothermal energy development can be a significant source of added value to Alberta's hydrocarbon industry.

Roshan Achal and Talena Huff in their research lab at UAlberta.

Getting more from less

Roshan Achal & Talena Huff
‘15 MSc, PhD candidates, Department of Physics, and Development Scientists at QSi Inc.

"Getting more from less" may seem counter-intuitive, but research at the University of Alberta is making great strides to do just that. Starting with some of the smallest building blocks available—individual atoms—⁠UAlberta scientists are creating smaller, faster, and more energy efficient electronics. Learn about other exciting applications of atomic-scale fabrication that Achal and Huff are exploring including reducing the physical footprint of digital storage by up to 1000 times, allowing us to store more information in less area.

Register Now
All Alumni Weekend Events

For a full listing of all University of Alberta Alumni Weekend events across the university's campuses, please visit the Alumni Weekend website.

Frequently Asked Questions
Parking

Complimentary parking is available from Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. through Sept. 22 at 5 p.m.

Complimentary locations:

Stadium, Education, ECERF/ETLC, Windsor, Lot E, L, N, U, Z, and Varsity Lot.

Parking pass:

A parking pass is required on campus. You must display the pass on your dash to receive complimentary parking.

Campus map
Contact

Email us at rsvp.science@ualberta.ca for questions about programming, registration changes, etc.