Now that we have returned to daylight savings, our days should feel longer, brighter, warmer—in theory, that is. Somehow, both the ground and the sky remain the same colour of lifeless grey. And not only are our skies dark, but our homes are as well, after recent winds of 120 kilometres an hour left over 300,000 Quebec residents without power. To add insult to injury, exam season is right around the corner. These are trying times, fellow McGillians. So, what better way to ease your woes than to participate in science-based activities around campus?
Physical Society Colloquia
It may feel a little bit intimidating to attend a seminar on the mechanics of our planet and our universe, especially if your specialty lies outside of the Department of Physics. However, do not let that stop you from checking out the weekly Physical Society Colloquia. While these talks target Physics undergrad students, we can confirm, as SciTech editors who are not majoring in Physics, that they remain interesting and accessible to all. If you are in need of plans on Friday, March 27, then head to the Ernest Rutherford Physics Building at 3:30 p.m. for a talk on dark matter and dark energy—the mysterious substances that make up 95 per cent of our universe. The event takes place in room 112 of the Keys Auditorium, followed by wine and cheese.
HPV Walk-In Vaccine Event
On March 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Student Wellness Hub invites students to a walk-in vaccination event for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), completely free of charge, in Room 5001 of the Brown Student Services Building. HPV is an incredibly common sexually transmitted disease, with experts estimating that around 75 per cent of sexually active Canadians will contract it at some point in their lives. Some strains of HPV can cause cancer, making vaccination an excellent way to protect against this. In fact, if you are vaccinated before being exposed to the virus, the HPV vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing cervical cancer and cell changes that could lead to cancer. Plus, it’s almost 100 percent effective in preventing external genital warts.
Moreover, given the concerning rise in vaccine hesitancy seen in recent years, it is critical to remember that vaccines in Canada have been proven to be both safe and effective. They are a public health miracle and have saved more than 150 million lives around the globe over the past 50 years. The event does not require registration, so if you are looking to get an HPV vaccine, all you have to do is show up with either your government or student ID.
Undergraduate Science Showcase
Every year, McGill students dedicate entire semesters working on research projects in their departments, and many science classes afford students several opportunities to write for and contribute to the scientific fields they care about most. To celebrate this hard work, McGill’s Office of Science Education (OSE) hosts the annual Undergraduate Science Showcase, giving students the chance to present their work in a science-fair-style format. This year’s event—happening on March 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the University Centre—will feature work from hundreds of students, including posters and field studies projects, as well as hors d’oeuvres and DJ sets. Registration is free, and the link can be found on OSE’s website.
Aurora Gala ‘26
Finally, if learning more about science isn’t your thing, then at the very least, you can spend some quality time with fellow science students at the Aurora Gala. On the evening of March 26, join a number of different McGill student societies and associations from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Pangea Restaurant & Bar in Old Port for an end-of-year celebration. Tickets range from $20-25 CAD and are available on the McGill Undergraduate Geography Society’s event page.