SciLearn Events
Join us at these special lectures, study sessions, and get-togethers that explore research on neuroscience and learning.
Past Events
First Year Finals Fest - Fall 2025
Hosted December 1-3, the First Year Finals Fest is an event series for U0 & U1 students in Science courses. The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS) and SciLearn support students in preparing for a healthy and successful final exam season!
SciLearn Instructors Workshop - Using Neuroscience for Student Learning
Monday, November 17, 2025, 9:30–10:30am, 2001 McGill College Ave., room 650
This workshop will introduce neuroscientific concepts that instructors can use with students to enhance teaching and learning. Data from McGill research with students will be shared along with best practices from the literature. Instructors will consider how to apply these neuroscientific concepts to their own course design and teaching. Please view event accessibility information via this webpage.
Facilitator: Armin Yazdani, PhD (Neuroscience)
How Students Learn - Workshop for Teaching Assistants (TAs)
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 12-1pm, on Zoom
This workshop will examine how students learn and introduce neuroscience-informed strategies you can use as a TA to support their success. We’ll begin by addressing common misconceptions about learning, then discuss ways to capture and sustain student attention. Finally, we’ll focus on the neuroscience of memory and practical strategies to help students retain what they learn.
Hosted as part of Discover McGill in collaboration with Campus Life and Engagement
Tuesday, September 9, 6-7pm
McCall MacBain Arts Building room 150
Hosted as part of Discover McGill, this SciLearn program workshop will answer these questions and more! You'll leave the workshop with an understanding of the neuroscience of memory and attention, and 4 practical learning strategies to try out! Pizza and drinks will be served to all participants after the workshop! Walk-ins are welcome, but we will prioritize the attendance of those who register.
Wednesday, September 10, 4-6pm
Otto Maass Chemistry Building Courtyard
Chemistry Teaching Assistant Program Kick-Off - Workshop for Graduate Students in Chemistry
Wednesday, September 3, 4:30-6:30pm
Otto Maass Chemistry Building
Learn practical strategies to support student learning in classrooms and labs. All graduate students in Chemistry are welcome!
First Year Finals Fest - Winter 2025
Hosted April 7-9, the First Year Finals Fest is a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses. The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS) and SciLearn supported students in preparing for a healthy and successful final exam season!
First Year Finals Fest - Fall 2024
Hosted December 2-4, the First Year Finals Fest is a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses. The First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS) and SciLearn supported students in preparing for a healthy and successful final exam season!
Student Welcome Gathering
To celebrate the start of the academic year (and the first day of SciLearn Peer Collaboration!), we hosted the Student Welcome Gathering on Monday, September 9 at 3pm in the 2001 McGill College Avenue Lobby. Attendees met fellow students, connected with the SciLearn team, and learned about the resources available to support academic success. Food and drinks were served.
First Year Finals Fest - Winter 2024
Once again, the First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS), Stay on Track and SciLearn hosted the semesterly First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses, April 8-10.
First Year Finals Fest - Fall 2023
Residence Life (RLife), the First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS), Stay on Track and SciLearn hosted the First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses, December 4-6.
First Year Finals Fest - Winter 2023
Residence Life (RLife), the First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS), Stay on Track and SciLearn hosted the First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses, April 11-13.
First Year Finals Fest - Fall 2022
Residence Life (RLife), the First-Year Undergraduate Science Society (FUSS), and SciLearn collaboratively hosted the First Year Finals Fest, a series of events for U0 & U1 students in Science courses, November 28 - December 1.
Dan Petrescu Speaker Series 2022
The event is tailored for McGill instructors and open to all with an interest in cognition and education. The Fall 2022 edition features a presentation by Dr. Sanjay Sarma from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is part of SciLearn, the Office of Science Education’s program to help McGill students get the most out of university learning. Dr. Sarma is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and former Vice President for Open Learning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and author of the book "Grasp".
Presentation by Dr. Sanjay Sarma: Rethinking Learning
Friday, October 21st, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
SciLearn Speaker Series 2021
Looking to use the latest research in cognitive science to boost student learning in coursework? Join us for a new speaker series tailored for McGill instructors and open to all with an interest in cognition and education. The series launches with a presentation and workshop by Drs. Joe Kim & Faria Sana from McMaster University and is part of SciLearn, the Office of Science Education’s program to help McGill students get the most out of university learning.
Presentation by Dr. Joe Kim: Motivating Durable Learning: Focused Attention through Instructional Design
Friday, October 22, 2021, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Workshop for instructors led by Dr. Faria Sana: Taking the Big 3 into the Classroom Friday, October 29, 2021, 11:30am – 1:00pm
