Local high school students arrive on campus this Friday to learn about some of the most important invasive species affecting Southern Ontario, including Asian carp, zebra mussels, gypsy moth, and invasive worms.
The event begins with smaller breakout sessions from 9:30 to 10:15 in the J.R. Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall (RCH) and the Mathematics & Computer Building (MC), followed by a feature lecture by TD Walter Bean Visiting Professor, Dr. Tom Stohlgren, from 10:30 to 11:30 in Federation Hall (Fed Hall).
“Biological invasions are changing our world more rapidly than any other environmental concern, including climate change,” says Dr. Stohlgren, Director of the US National Institute for Invasive Species. “We need to recruit an army of NGOSs (the Next Generation Of Scientists) if we are going to stop these invasions.”
The 45-minute breakout sessions will include groups of forty students in each room. All sessions begin with an informative presentation by Let’s Talk Science volunteers. Students will then have an opportunity to discuss what they think about this growing issue.
Dr. Stohlgren’s lecture will explore current extinction and invasion patterns around the globe as a result of population expansion and biodiversity loss. Often appearing in his signature Hawaiian shirts, Dr. Stohlgren is well known for communicating his globally recognized expertise on biological invasions using an entertaining and engaging style.
Members of the media are invited to attend this photo opportunity.
Student breakout sessions
When: 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Where: J.R. Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall (RCH) rooms 105, 106, 109, 110, 207, 211, and 305 and the Mathematics & Computer Building (MC) rooms 2034, 4021, and 4064
Feature lecture with Dr. Tom Stohlgren
When: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Federation Hall (Fed Hall)
Dr. Stohlgren’s two-week visit culminates with the TD Walter Bean Public Lecture on Thursday, March 12th at 5:30 pm. For more information, please visit https://uwaterloo.ca/science/events/2015-td-walter-bean-lecture.
Campus map: https://uwaterloo.ca/map/
