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Sept 2018 From the editors Issue #1 September 4, 2018 ence here as valuable as it can be--holds an election every Welcome back year to fill its Executive and General Council positions. from The Bolt Finally, The Bolt is here to share your thoughts, ob- servations, and lessons with your fellow students. We THE BOLT NEWS Hello, Concordia! It’s September once again, and are currently hiring writers in a variety of paid posi- we’re back to kick off the year right alongside you. If tions. If this sounds like something you’d like to take you are a new student, either just beginning your on this year, or just want to know more about it, con- university career or transfering from another institu- tact us through email at [email protected]. tion, welcome to Concordia University of Edmonton! ab.ca, or come visit us in our office in the library, L279. CUE 101: Intro to concordia Concordia is a lot like other schools you’ve been to. If you’re a returning student at Concordia this year, wel- You’ll go to classes--some of which you’re excited come back. You might have noticed a couple of changes for, others for which you’re not--you’ll meet some around here since you left for the summer. The biggest new people, you’ll do some homework, and you’ll of these changes is our new building: the Centre for try to get to Starbucks and back in between class- Science, Research, and Innovation. This new facility is es (some things are universal). Some of you will be equipped with some new labs for biology and chemistry perfectly content to leave your experience at that. students, but it also includes some brand new features such as an observation room for psychology studies, If you aren’t content to leave it at that, though, you can private labs for research teams and professors, and even take another step and find out that Concordia is also a section dedicated to indiginous ceremonies, which unlike other schools you’ve been to. Look around your is well ventilated in order to host ceremonial fires. classroom or lecture hall the next time you’re there. You’re probably looking at less than eighty people. For Now it’s time to get started. Welcome back to school, most of you, you’re probably looking at less than fifty Concordia. people. You’ll likely get to know half of them before the semester ends, and many of them will follow you through your program over these next years. You can talk to them, get their advice on a project, compare notes before an exam, or just vent about your unimagin- ably busy schedule (spoilers: it gets even busier). Once you learn where everyone sits around you, you can even utilize one of my favourite techniques when the class is Concordia’s New Centre for Science, Research, and Innovation given bad news: turn your head and look at your new friend like you’re on The Office. It won’t change -any thing, but at least you get to experience a moment of sol- idarity, and forget for a brief moment about the fact that P1 P5 P7 P9 you now have two mid-terms back to back on Monday. Science at Concordia homesickness space news: Mars History of Northlands If you want to take another step, the Concordia Students’ Donovan Makus gives a Nicole Beaver examines Tyler DeWacht gives a Natasha Ecklund looks Association--our student body government that plans primer for students en- what it means to be home- news roundup for all back at the history of the and executes our headline events every year, and works rolled in science courses sick by comparing histori- things Mars from this now 113 year old North- with the institution of Concordia to make your experi- at Concordia this year, cal theories with modern summer, including a new lands track, which fin- and shares his experience studies, and provides a product that may help ished its final season on Page 11 FB.co/theboltnews theboltnews.com in the program so far. few tips to combat it. colonize the red planet. August 25, 2018. Sept 2018 Science ing a small school means that you’ll often find Science at Concordia yourself attending classes with the same people from your cohort and see the same people day by Donovan Makus after day, giving you a great opportunity to form new friendships (and potential lab partners). For First Year science students, or other students Welcome to Concordia! Whether you are a return- fulfilling their science requirements, your first ing student or a fresh First Year, there is plenty to experience with University level science cours- be excited about in this upcoming year, particu- es lies ahead. A key part of many 100-level (and larly for science students. There has never been beyond) science courses are the labs. For some, a better time to be a student at Concordia. The the experience will be pleasant and easy; you new Centre for Science, Research, and Innova- had “wet labs” in high school or some other pre- tion (CSRI) is well-equipped for undergradu- existing experience. For others, this will be your ate research, as well as for hosting outside re- first introduction to the lab, the lab report, and searchers. While the research side of the CSRI to the blue lab books that characterize many is something you’ll likely not fully participate laboratory courses here at Concordia. Having in unless you’re a senior science student, the successfully completed the introductory Biology, new facility also includes new spaces for study- Chemistry, and Math labs, I feel at least some- ing, relaxation, and engagement for everyone. what qualified to offer some advice on how to best navigate this new world of university labs. One of the great advantages of attending Con- cordia is being a name and a face and not just a Looking back at my first Chem, Bio, and Math number. From the small class sizes and cohorts labs, I remember one single, overwhelming feel- to the individualized support available from Stu- ing: I had no idea what I was doing. Yes, I had dent Services, there are many people on cam- done the pre-reading, in the sense that my eyes pus who can help and support you. First year, in had passed over the pages of the lab manual in a particular, can be a stressful and overwhelming manner I would loosely define as “reading”, but experience, and there are resources available I didn’t attempt to understand the labs beyond to help you manage the transition and stress- a surface level. I quickly learned the importance es of university life. From the CSA’s programs (the hard way, with scores of red pen marks over such as Peer Support, to the Writing Centre, to my assignments) of knowing what you’re doing the student-led Supplemental Instruction ses- in the lab period before walking in the door. From sions, don’t be afraid to use these resources! my conversations with other science students, I think I can safely say we’ve all walked into a lab, While academics is an important aspect of your sat down at our spot, and started reading the lab university journey, it shouldn’t be the sole focus. manual for that day’s lab right then and there. There are many clubs, faculty unions, and groups However, this isn’t the best strategy for doing hosting a variety of events for students on cam- well in that lab. Understand what the purpose of pus, with plenty of events open to all students, the lab is, what assignments and data need to be regardless of Faculty. Making space in your sched- collected, and what steps need to be followed in ule for the club fair will be time well spent. Attend- the lab to collect the data you will need to com- Page 1 FB.co/theboltnews theboltnews.com Sept 2018 History Science #1 Along with all the recognition for Speers’ work plete your assignments prior to entering the ac- broaden your academic horizons. You may dis- History of Northlands in promoting horse racing in Western Canada, tual lab. Making flow charts may seem excessive cover a passion for a field or discipline you previ- he also had a hand in the creation of the Cana- at first when labs are just starting and simple, ously didn’t even realize existed; don’t be afraid to pursue it! When I entered Concordia as an al- by Natasha Eklund dian Derby. This is one of the most popular and but once the more complicated labs begin later glamourous events where everyone comes to- in the semester, they can prove to be invalu- most 18-year-old, I was a Biology major with no gether in celebration and dressed to the nines. able, particularly for subjects such as Chemistry. declared minor. During First Year I took the stan- In 1925, Speers had built Winnipeg’s Polo Park Speaking of later in the semester, many courses dard introductory science courses and discov- I am sure many of you are familiar with the track where the Manitoba Stakes began in 1930. will require a lab report due later in the semes- ered I enjoyed some courses and subjects more Northlands Racetrack which has operated for This was later renamed in 1936 to the Manitoba ter. While the temptation to procrastinate is uni- than others, as any student does, and to pursue 113 years.

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