Free Science* Events

*and applied-science

Please confirm the date and time of events prior to attending, as they sometimes change.

Sunday, November 1

Geological Wonders and Origins. Sunday Walking Tours. High Park Nature. Frank Remiz unearths the secrets of the park’s topography and geological history. Walks may go on wooded trails, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Time & location: 10:30 AM – 12 PM High Park, 200 Parkside Dr. Meet at the benches, across the road from the south side of Grenadier Restaurant in the middle of High Park. For more information: http://www.highparknature.org/wiki/wiki.php?n=Explore.WalkingTours hitchBOT – A Cultural Robotics Project. Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science. Speakers: Frauke Zeller, Ryerson University & David Harris Smith, McMaster University. This talk will introduce hitchBOT, a cultural robot and arts and science project. The speakers will discuss the cornerstones of the conception and design of a cultural robot, focusing on the importance of personality in robots and critically discuss the role of social and cultural robots in our society.

Time & location: 2 – 3:30 PM (doors open at 1:15 PM) Medical Sciences Building, Macleod Auditorium, 1 King’s College Circle For more information: http://rciscience.ca/lectures/fall-2015-lectures/

Participatory Research: Roads, Citizen Science & the War on Science. Toronto Field Naturalists. Dave Ireland (ON Road Ecology Group) explains how road design can help conserve biodiversity.

Time & location: 2:30 PM Northrop Frye Building, 73 Queens Park For more information: http://www.torontofieldnaturalists.org/v-lectures.htm

Tuesday, November 3

When Sailing was Science: Thoughts on the Global Early Modern. York University. Dept. of Science & Technology Studies. Speaker: Margaret Schotte, York University.

Time & location: 12:30 – 2 PM York University (Keele Campus), Norman Bethune College, Room 203, 170 Campus Walk For more information: http://www.yorku.ca/sts/undergraduate/seminars.html

Advances in Understanding Global Air Quality with Implications from Public Health to Climate. University of Toronto. The Centre for Global Change Science. Speaker: Randall Martin, Dalhousie University.

Time & location: 3:30 PM Bahen Centre for Information Technology, Room 1190, 40 St. George St. For more information: http://www.cgcs.utoronto.ca/Series/2015-2016_Lectures.htm

Ice in the Solar System from Mercury to Pluto. J. Tuzo Wilson Lecture. University of Toronto. Dept. of Physics. Speaker: David Paige, University of California, Los Angeles. Professor Paige is a Principal Investigator on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and also on NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft, which discovered ice on the Moon and Mercury. He will also discuss the latest observation of ice on Pluto.

Time & location: 8 PM Victoria College, Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles St. West For more information: https://www.physics.utoronto.ca/tuzowilson

Wednesday, November 4

What Fish Tell Us About Contaminants in Our Environment. University of Toronto. School of the Environment. Speaker: Satyendra Bhavsar, Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.

Time & location: 4:10 – 6 PM Earth Sciences Building, Room 149 (basement), 5 Bancroft Ave. For more information: http://www.environment.utoronto.ca/SeminarSeries/EnvironmentSeminarSeri es/WhatFish.aspx

Thursday, November 5

Healing the Body with Reiki. Bernard Betel Centre. Reiki is a healing technique based on channeling energy form the therapist to the patient by means of touch. Join Iris Edelman to learn more about this healing art.

Time & location: 1:30 – 2:30 PM Bernard Betel Centre, Synagogue, 1003 Steeles Ave. West For more information: http://www.betelcentre.org/event/healing-body-reiki

A Conversation with an Old Friend, the Moon. University of Toronto AstroTours. Speaker: Ari Silburt, University of Toronto. The Moon is intimately connected to humans, whether we realize it or not. Like ourselves, the Moon has also been changing with time and there are many layers to its existence. In this lecture, the speaker will reacquaint the public with the Moon, describing its formation history, its relation to humans, its current relation with to Earth and future space plans on the Moon. Enjoy a planetarium show after the presentation (registration required).

Time & location: 8:10 PM Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, Room 159, 80 St. George St. Registration for http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/november-5th-2015-uoft-astrotour-planetarium- planetarium shows: shows-tickets-18872517207 For more information: http://www.astro.utoronto.ca/astrotours/?page_id=392

Sunday, November 8

EcoFair at the Barns. An event that informs and inspires people to make greener choices in their homes and communities. It includes many businesses and not-for-profit organizations promoting eco-friendly programs, products and services, film screenings, electric car test drives, informative workshops and presentations and interactive activities for kids.

Time & location: 12 – 4 PM Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St. For more information: http://ecofairtoronto.org/

Feeding the World by Boosting Crop Health. Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science. Speaker: Charles Despres, Brock University. Microbes responsible for crop disease are becoming resistant to conventional pesticides akin to antibiotic resistance in human disease. Researchers are developing non-GMO approaches, conceptually similar to vaccines, to enhance crop immunity.

Time & location: 2 – 3:30 PM (doors open at 1:15 PM) Medical Sciences Building, Macleod Auditorium, 1 King’s College Circle For more information: http://rciscience.ca/lectures/fall-2015-lectures/

Thursday, November 12

Recycling the Andes: Geodynamic Studies of Lithosphere Removal. University of Toronto. Dept. of Earth Sciences. Speaker: Claire Currie, University of Alberta.

Time & location: 12 PM Earth Sciences Centre, Room 2093, 22 Russell St. For more information: http://webcan.es.utoronto.ca/research/seminars/

Hearing Solutions. Bernard Betel Centre. One of the most common conditions affecting older adults is age-related hearing loss. Join Hearing Solutions to learn more about testing, hearing aids and more.

Time & location: 1:30 – 2:30 PM Bernard Betel Centre, Synagogue, 1003 Steeles Ave. West For more information: http://www.betelcentre.org/event/hearing-solutions

Saturday, November 14

Bird Walk. Citizens Concerned About the Future of the Etobicoke Waterfront. Leader: Don Burton.

Time & location: 9 – 11 AM Humber Bay Park East. Meet in the main parking lot (map: https://goo.gl/1Z8Pfs) For more information: http://www.ccfew.org/html/bird_walks.html

Sunday, November 15

Art in the Park. Sunday Walking Tours. High Park Nature. A trek around the many sculpture sites in the park with art teacher Grace Petrucci. Walks may go on wooded trails, so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Time & location: 10:30 AM – 12 PM High Park, 200 Parkside Dr. Meet at the benches, across the road from the south side of Grenadier Restaurant in the middle of High Park. For more information: http://www.highparknature.org/wiki/wiki.php?n=Explore.WalkingTours

Monday, November 16

Connecting DNA Damage with Splicing Decisions. University of Toronto. Dept. of Molecular Genetics. Speaker: Dr. Benoit Chabot, Université de Sherbrooke.

Time & location: 4 PM FitzGerald Building, Room 103, 150 College St. For more information: http://cettesemaine.utoronto.ca/sites/default/files/Chabot%20Poster.pdf

Tuesday, November 17

The Role of Halogens in Stratospheric Ozone Depletion and Climate Interaction. University of Toronto. The Centre for Global Change Science. Speaker: Martyn Chipperfield, University of Leeds.

Time & location: 3:30 PM Bahen Centre for Information Technology, Room 1190, 40 St. George St. For more information: http://www.cgcs.utoronto.ca/Series/2015-2016_Lectures.htm

Searching for a Test for Depression: Blood Tests, Brain Scans & Self-Screening. CAN- BIND & Mood Disorders Association of Ontario. Dr. Peter Giacobbe (University of Toronto) will talk about a ground breaking new study aimed at shortening the time between depression diagnoses and getting the right treatment. Jordan Thompson (Mood Disorders Association of Ontario West-End Toronto) will talk about the personal journey of recovery.

Time & location: 6:30 – 8:30 PM Eatonville Library, Auditorium, 430 Burnhamthorpe Rd. Registration required: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/searching-for-a-test-for-depression-blood-tests- brain-scans-self-screening-tickets-18947959858

Wednesday, November 18

Monitoring the Natural Attenuation of Chlorinated Benzenes in Contaminated Groundwater and Sediments. University of Toronto. School of the Environment. Speaker: Elodie Passeport, University of Toronto.

Time & location: 4:10 – 6 PM Earth Sciences Building, Room 149 (basement), 5 Bancroft Ave. For more information: http://www.environment.utoronto.ca/SeminarSeries/EnvironmentSeminarSeri es/Monitoring.aspx

Thursday, November 19

The Hygiene Hypothesis. Bernard Betel Centre. Join graduate students from the University of Toronto’s Immunology Department to explore the question of “is playing in mud good for your health?”

Time & location: 1:30 – 2:30 PM Bernard Betel Centre, Synagogue, 1003 Steeles Ave. West For more information: http://www.betelcentre.org/event/hygiene-hypothesis

Friday, November 20

Newcomer Welcome Fair. Are you new to Canada? Come get free information about health, community agencies and living in Canada. The events include workshops on access to health care, settlement services, mental health and more. There will also be health screenings (e.g. dental, Hepatitis B and more) and consultations with an immigration lawyer and more.

Time & location: 12 – 6:30 PM Toronto Western Hospital, BMO Education and Conference Centre, 60 Leonard Ave. For more information: http://www.uhn.ca/PatientsFamilies/Health_Information/Patient_Family_Educ ation/Documents/Newcomer_Welcome_Fair.pdf

Saturday, November 21

Rap Battles and Pop: Discovering the Secret Sounds of Insects. Quimby F. Hess Lecture. Toronto Entomologists’ Association. Speaker: Jayne Yack, Carleton University. What many do not realize is that insects generate and detect an extraordinary diversity of acoustic (sound and vibration) signals that extend far beyond human sensory capabilities. The speaker and her research team utilizes specialized instruments and methods to tap into these secret communication channels. She will discuss among other things, how caterpillars engage in rap battles, how male bark beetles croon to females inside trees and how butterflies use hearing aids to eavesdrop on predators. Please note that registration for the lecture only provides access to the theatre and not to the museum (admissions required).

Time & location: 1:30 – 2:45 PM Royal Ontario Museum, Level 1B, Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre, 100 Queens Park Registration required: http://www.rom.on.ca/en/activities-programs/events-calendar/rap-battles- and-pop-discovering-the-secret-sounds-of-insects For more information: http://www.ontarioinsects.org/meetings.htm

Sunday, November 22

Revolution in Robotics: Will the Next Robot Be for You? Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science. Speaker: Angela Schoellig, University of Toronto. In contrast to their early industrial counterparts, robots have become increasingly safe, capable and affordable. A new generation of robots will operate alongside humans in complex and changing environments. The speaker will show how researchers prepare robots for their new tasks by, for example, enabling them to “learn” and to automatically adapt to new situations.

Time & location: 2 – 3:30 PM (doors open at 1:15 PM) Medical Sciences Building, Macleod Auditorium, 1 King’s College Circle For more information: http://rciscience.ca/lectures/fall-2015-lectures/

Wednesday, November 25

The Science of Shakespeare. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada – Toronto Centre. Speaker: Dan Falk. In this illustrated talk, Falk will explore Shakespeare’s interest in the scientific discoveries of his time, with a particular focus on the changing conceptions of the cosmos, from

Aristotle to Copernicus and Galileo.

Time & location: 7:30 – 9:30 PM North York Civic Centre, Council Chambers, 5100 Yonge St. For more information: http://rascto.ca/content/speakers-night-and-annual-meeting

Thursday, November 26

Introduction to Social Media: Facebook, Twitter and Other Sites for Staying Connected. Bernard Betel Centre. Join the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens’ Organizations for a workshop on social media sites. Learn how older adults are using these sites to stay connected and current.

Time & location: 1:30 – 2:30 PM Bernard Betel Centre, Synagogue, 1003 Steeles Ave. West For more information: http://www.betelcentre.org/event/introduction-social-media-facebook-twitter- and-other-sites-staying-connected

Sunday, November 29

Are Fish Populations in Hot Water Because of Climate Change? Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science. Speaker: Sapna Sharma, York University. Around the world, lake surface water temperatures are changing. Ontario lakes are an important bellwether for this as they are home to both the northern and southern limits of many freshwater fish species. As the climate changes, these limits shift, making Ontario fish particularly vulnerable. The speaker will discuss how the northward march of the feisty smallmouth bass puts angler-favourites, trout and walleye, at long-term risk in Ontario.

Time & location: 2 – 3:30 PM (doors open at 1:15 PM) Medical Sciences Building, Macleod Auditorium, 1 King’s College Circle For more information: http://rciscience.ca/lectures/fall-2015-lectures/

There are also free programs at the Toronto Public Library.

 Science & Technology programs: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs-and- classes/categories/science-technology.jsp  Health & Wellness programs: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/programs- and-classes/categories/health-wellness.jsp

Or have a look at the What’s On program guide, available in branches.

Also, connect with us online and get the latest library news, event listings and librarian expertise at the North York Central Library blog: http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/north-york-central-blog/

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North York Central Library, Science & Technology Department