CU-WISE Blogs

As we enter a new decade, we are quickly approaching what many call the new Millennium bug. It’s being called Y2038 , with a clear reference to Y2k. What is Y2k? For those unaware of Y2k, it was referred to as the bug of the millennia. The year 2000 was not short of its many conspiracies. The issue with Y2k was the entry into a new millenia, the year 2000 was to be represented in many date formats with 2 digits. This issue was real for many programs and systems that used dates in 2 digits rather than 4 digits. Fortunately on January 1st, 2000 the world did not end and Y2k did not crash and burn, planes did not drop out of the sky, and banks did not dispose of all its cash as it had been exaggerated to accomplish. There were minor consequences that occurred, and a few dates around the world did read as January 1st, 19100.  What will happen in 2038? Although the issue was solved, I recently came across an article explaining why we may have a bigge...

Nervous . Edgy . Anxious . Butterflies . That’s how I usually feel when I’m not confident about how I’ve studied for a final. Over the past 4 years, I think (& hope) that I’ve almost mastered good study tips for finals. And with a few weeks left until the first day of exams, I hope I can share a few tips.

The Representation of Female Engineers in Canada In the field of engineering, women are becoming ever so present. Unfortunately, this was not always the case. Traditionally, STEM related careers were predominantly occupied by men. Underrepresentation of women in academic spaces and in the workplace has pushed for action. In Canada, this initiative is called 30 by 30.  Engineers Canada Existing for over 80 years, what is now known as Engineers Canada stands as the national engineering body across Canada. The purpose of Engineers Canada is to advocate the profession of engineering, regulate the engineering practice and license the members of the engineering profession. As part of the Strategic Plan for 2019-2021, Engineers Canada plans to diversify the workplace by increasing the amount of licensed female engineers to 30% by the year 2030. This plan involves 3 major areas: recruitment, retention and professional development.  Recruitment We can already...

History was made this month when 2 female astronauts, Christina Koch and Jessica Meir,  embarked on NASA’s first all-women space walk.  What is the Artemis Program? Artemis is NASA’s new lunar exploration program which plans to send the first women and next man on the Moon in 2024.  The first missions to the Moon were achieved by NASA, and landing the first man on the Moon in 1969. That program was dubbed the Apollo program. Fun Fact! If you are familiar with Greek mythology, you will know that Apollo is known as the Sun god. Artemis was Apollo’s twin sister and known as the Moon goddess.  The all-women spacewalk was set to take place months prior, in March 2019. After experiencing the spacesuit in flight (not on Earth), Christina Koch and Anne McClain came to realize that plans would have to be scrapped as the large spacesuit size was not feasible to continue the spacewalk. A proper spacesuit fit is required for astronauts to preven...

For those of us struggling to get back into school mode, don’t worry! I’ve complied a back to school checklist that may offer some help. Try to keeps these tips in mind as we enter the first week of the 2019-2020 school year.  Before going to class Try to go to class 10-15 minutes early (if your schedule allows it). I prefer to lounge outside the classroom, catch up with friends and classmates. Also it is great because you get to grab the seat of your choice and as you already know, classes are pretty full the first few weeks. Trust me, you do not want to be that person sitting on the staircase. Read the course outline before attending class. It will give you an idea of what to expect.   Keep track of all important dates for the term. Assignment deadlines and midterm dates may already be posted.  Pack these stationary essentials: Pen/pencil Notebook Agenda (grab a free one from the CUSA office in UC 401) Calculator Textbooks (refer to course ...

Have you ever lost a particular item and reunited with it months later, so surprised to have found it. This happened to 16 year-old Marty Ingham Everett almost 65 years ago. Yes 65 years! It was 1954, Marty had lost her black purse containing her checkbook, lipstick, school dance photos and letters from three boys — including a junior prom invite. The purse was connected back to its owner through FaceBook. An astonishing story of an unintentional time capsule, Marty tells " It was amazing to reconnect and reminisce about a time that is so different from today ". Keeping that same theme, WISE hosted a Time Capsule earlier this month. The event involved writing a letter to your future self, sealing it in an envelope and keeping it tucked away for a year. Participants were free to write whatever you want in your letter: words of encouragement, of self-love, words of advice, goals... . Most thought it was a cool idea and an eye-opening experience allowing for some ...

The WISE National Conference took place at the end of January. We were excited to see so many past & present CU-WISE members there! Check out some photos from the conference and what some of our #smartgirls took away from the experience.  Thank You Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering & Design for helping send 8 CU-WISE representatives to the conference this year! "This was my first time going to the WISE National Conference and I am very glad I got to. The conference was full of inspirational talks by very interesting and high achieving women. I was personally impacted by the diversity of the speakers. As a woman of colour, listening to a panel of women in medicine who were all women of colour and were all able to get where they were in their various careers in their own right was very motivating for me. In addition to the various panels, we also had some amazing keynotes from individuals who had interesting careers and hobbies.