Science Skills for the 21st Century

New! 10-day workshop for undergraduate students

Develop communication, leadership, and creative thinking skills for success in today’s complex world!

January 5 – 15, 2021

The Faculty of Science has partnered with the Extended Education to offer a 10-day intensive hands-on workshop for undergraduate students. Science skills for 21st-century will explore communication, collaboration, and creative thinking.

Instructors: Amrit Ahluwalia, Vickie Albrecht, Rod Lastra, and Stephanie Olson.

The workshop will be facilitated by Harsha Blumer, Outreach Lead, Faculty of Science.

Register

Registration is open to all UM undergraduate students however, spots are limited, please register early. The registration deadline is December 7, 2020.

Learning Objectives
The main goal of the workshop is for students a) to identify and incorporate concepts related to 21st-century competencies which can be highlighted in: a) resume, cover letter, interview, and digital profile (e.g., LinkedIn), b) build foundational skills related to effective communication in research, and c) learn principles of what constitutes a ‘good’ research proposal.

Participants will work in small groups to develop an interdisciplinary research topic related to COVID-19, conduct a literature review, and write a research proposal. Lectures will cover topics on academic writing with an emphasis on APA style, effective communication and critical thinking skills. The workshop will culminate with a team presentation and submission of research proposals.

Workshop Delivery
The virtual workshop will be delivered online and synchronous through UM Learn, and facilitated by members from the Faculty of Science, Division of Extended Education as well as contributions from various content experts.

Workshop Schedule
Workshops will run from 10 am to noon (for approx. 2 hrs) on the following days:

Jan 5: Introduction
Jan 6: Principles of communication: finding resources, and literature review
Jan 7: Building communication skills: creative thinking and research proposal
Jan 8: Special Webinar and Q/A: Future-proofing and 21st-century skills and competencies (Amrit Ahluwalia, managing editor of EvoLLLution).
Jan 11: Feedback on the drafts, teamwork, building skills
Jan 12-14: Hands-on writing support
Jan 15: Team presentations and submission of proposals

Prize
The winning team will receive a $500 cash prize from the Faculty of Science, team members will receive a certificate of completion, and the opportunity to register for FREE in an Extended Education course.

Instructors

Amrit Ahluwalia, BA, MA
Managing Editor, EvoLLution, online newspaper

Amrit Ahluwalia is the Managing Editor of The EvoLLLution, the online newspaper developed by Destiny Solutions to create a conversation hub focused on non-traditional higher education and the transforming postsecondary marketplace. Ahluwalia was part of the team that conceived of and launched The EvoLLLution. Ahluwalia earned his BA (Honors) in Political Studies from Queen’s University and his MA in International Politics from McMaster University. He lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Vickie Albrecht, B.Sc., MLIS
Acting Head, Sciences Division

Vickie Albrecht has a four-year Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Western University. She is a science librarian and heads the Sciences and Technology Library. She has worked extensively with science undergraduate students since 2012 and is teaching a second-year science topics course.

Dr. Rod Lastra, PhD
Associate Dean Extended Education and Acting Associate
Area Director of the Access Programs

Dr. Lastra completed his Ph.D., in Biological Sciences from the University of Manitoba. His research activities include the development of preparatory mathematics and science curriculum as well as developing post-secondary bridging programs.

Stephanie Olson, M.A.
Academic Specialist Reading and Writing / Instructor
Access & Aboriginal Focus Program

Stephanie Olson (M.A.) has worked in the field of English language instruction and international education for the last 17 years. In her current role as Academic Specialist in the Access Program, she teaches first-year composition and literature courses and supports the learning success of students who face barriers completing post-secondary education.