Thursday, May 31, 2018

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• Periodic Table Project adds collaborative timeline
• Sign-up for Lean Process Improvement Workshop
• Take the Waterloo Region Wellbeing survey
• Get geared up for Bike Month; other notes

Periodic Table Project adds collaborative timeline

by Jean Hein, editor, CHEM13 News.

The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements, and the Faculty of Science is celebrating by creating a new Timeline of Elements.  

The initiative is based on the success of our Periodic Table Project for the UN International Year of Chemistry in 2011, where we had students from around the world design elemental tiles. The result became the Periodic Table Project poster, free mobile app, and the iconic wall mural at the entrance of the Centre for Environmental and Information Technology's Earth Science Museum. 

This year we decided to take a different approach to the table and deconstruct it into the years the elements were discovered. Our goal is to have chemistry students from around the world join together to create an original and imaginative version of the Timeline of Elements, again with an artistic tile for each element. This project encourages students to learn about the the elements and what led to their discovery.

You can sign up to design an element tile or forward this message to your high school. The timeline will be displayed in the Science Teaching Complex for all to see.  If you missed out on participating in our 2011 Periodic Table Project, this is your opportunity to have your home school celebrate and be part of a worldwide initiative.  Please take time to reconnect with your high school science teacher and let them know. 

Sign up until August 7 and submit artwork by March 2019. Read more information and sign up for elements.

Sign-up for Lean Process Improvement Workshop

A message from Human Resources.

In order to foster a culture of continuous improvement at the University of Waterloo, we are developing a shared understanding and common framework for Lean across campus. With this in mind, Human Resources will be offering Lean workshops in June, July, October and December.

The next workshop, facilitated by Kimberley Snage, Director of HR Projects, Technology & Analytics and Shona Dunseith, HR Process & Administration Manager, will take place on Thursday, June 21 and will guide employees through process mapping activities. Examining daily processes within the workplace can reveal opportunities for improvement and help eliminate activities that take up too much time and provide little value.

In this workshop, attendees will learn the following:

1. How to create a current state and desired future state process map.
2. How to identify and eliminate inefficiencies in the process.
3. How to take action to close gaps between current and desired future state.

If you’re interested in attending, please register.

The workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 21 in DC 1351.

What is Lean?

Supporting the University's Robust Employer-Employee strategic theme and Excellence Canada initiative, Lean provides a consistent framework and set of tools for improving processes at Waterloo. It is founded on the principles of continuous improvement and respect for people, and empowers employees to become effective problem-solvers.

If you have any questions about the Lean Process Improvement Workshop, please contact Raghda Sabry, Projects Coordinator Human Resources or Kimberley Snage, Director of HR Projects, Technology & Analytics. You can find out more about Lean on the Waterloo Lean website.

Take the Waterloo Region Wellbeing survey

Is your quality of life all that you want it to be? Do you wish you could contribute your ideas to improve it for Waterloo Region residents?

The Canadian Index of Wellbeing, based in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, is conducting a large-scale Waterloo Region well-being survey on behalf of 16 partner agencies in the region, with results helping to develop policies and shape services and supports for all residents. 

It’s a great chance to share your insights about how to improve your life and the lives of people in our community. The survey closes July 6.

Get geared up for Bike Month; other notes

June is Bike Month at Waterloo! In partnership with TravelWise, the Sustainability Office is hosting a cycling challenge and events throughout the month to promote and celebrate active transportation on campus. Whether you’re an avid biker or interested in trying out biking this month, we would encourage you to get involved, and there are prizes to be won!

For more information, please visit the Bike Month web page.

If you're a faculty member or graduate student who has received Tri-Agency funding and are curious about the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy, your rights as an author, and how to make your research Open Access using UWSpace, the the Library has the perfect workshop for you.

The Library is hosting Tri-Agency Open Access Policy - From Author's Rights to UWSpace on Tuesday, June 5 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

What's it all about? In early 2015 the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) announced its Open Access Policy on publications, which states "Grant recipients are required to ensure that any peer-reviewed journal publications arising from Agency-supported research are freely accessible within 12 months of publication."

The policy applies to NSERC or SSHRC grants awarded on or after May 1, 2015 and CIHR grants awarded on or after January 1, 2008.

At this workshop, librarians will discuss the policy and its requirements, present an introduction to author’s rights and responsibilities and demonstrate how to use UWSpace and its copyright review and deposit service to easily comply with the policy. Waterloo researchers who have received grant funding or have an interest in making their research Open Access are encouraged to attend.

The workshop takes place in the Dana Porter FLEX Lab (LIB 329). Register today!

The Waterloo Centre for German Studies is establishing a Book Prize for first-time authors who have published a book in 2017 on any aspect of German Studies (culture, language, history, geography, and the like). The winner will receive $2,000 and will be invited to give a talk.

The nomination deadline is June 30, 2018.

The Registrar's Office has sent a message to undergraduate students notifying them that the spring 2018 final examination schedule has been posted. Exam room information is expected to be added to the schedule by June 18. Any changes to the schedule will be posted on the final examination schedule website.

The dates for Fall 2018 Convocation are Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27. Note that these dates have been revised from October 19 and 20, 2018. Mark your calendar. More information on Fall convocation ceremonies can be found on the Convocation website's dates and times page.  

For all information on Waterloo Convocation visit the Convocation website.