Connecting With Community: Asking the Big Questions

(Photo: Owen Egan)

Since 2007, McGill’s Mini-Science has offered the public an insider’s view of science with a highly popular seven-week lecture series. Top scientific minds speak on their cutting-edge research, demystifying everything from ecology, evolution and extinction, to space exploration and the birth of the universe.

To mark the International Year of Astronomy, the theme for 2009 was “To infinity and beyond: Space, stars & the universe.” Canadian astronaut Dr. Dave Williams, BSc’76, MSc’83, MDCM’83, spoke at the sold-out event (pictured here with some of the younger members of the audience). Visit the Minis site to learn about the many other intriguing and topical McGill Minis.

For the past four years, the Lorne Trottier Public Science Symposium Series has also been asking the big questions, such as “What was the spark of life?” and “Apes or angels: What is the origin of ethics?” (timed with the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s theory of natural selection).

Created by Lorne Trottier, BEng’70, MEng’73, DSc’06, the series stemmed from his own lifelong curiosity with all things scientific. The symposia are designed to inform, inspire debate, and raise public awareness on issues confronting today’s world. For more info, visit the Symposium site.