The Dean's Office Dispatch is the Faculty of Science's weekly e-newsletter for students, faculty and staff. 

Dal Science Spotlight: Brodie Badcock-Parks

This week’s Dal Science Spotlight subject is Brodie Badcock-Parks, a part-time academic and PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. Brodie was nominated by an undergraduate student. “Brodie was easily the best professor I’ve had in my three years at Dalhousie,” the student says. “Brodie always welcomed questions, offered guidance, undoubtedly had a passion about what he was teaching us, and cared about our success as his students. He never failed to treat others with respect, and he created a safe, inclusive, and accepting space for everyone in the class. Brodie gave us the tools we needed to work through challenging topics, and gave us opportunities to be assessed in different ways. Brodie’s skills are invaluable and I would jump at any opportunity to be taught by him again.”

What a wonderful testimonial from one of our undergraduate students! We’re incredibly thankful for part-time academics, who are integral to our team, and especially thankful for course instructors like Brodie for creating a safe, inclusive environment, while igniting a passion for learning in our students. Thank you, Brodie!

The Dal Science Spotlight highlights the contributions of instructors and advisors in the Faculty of Science. Recognize an outstanding instructor or advisor by filling out our nomination form. A new submission will be featured weekly in the Dean’s Office Dispatch.

John Dingle Science Communication Internship deadline reminder

Students interested in the 2024 John Dingle Science Communication Internship program are reminded of the application deadline of Monday, March 4 at 9:00 a.m. There are two steps to the application process: filling out an online form and sending in supporting documents, including reference information and writing samples, by email. For complete details, visit our internal myDal site (login required).

Science Advising Fair: Friday, March 8

Need some advice before course registration begins later in March? Drop by the Faculty of Science's advising fair next Friday and chat with Faculty advisors about programs, course requirements, majors and more. All students are welcome to attend, in particular undeclared first-year students. Registration is not required - simply drop by one of the Biology labs listed below.

Date: Friday, March 8
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Locations: Biology labs 2097, 2098 and 2100

Rhodes Scholarship information session

High-achieving students are invited to attend an upcoming Rhodes Scholarship information session on Monday, March 4 from 3 to 4:00 p.m. in room 430 of the Goldberg Computer Science Building. A livestream of the session is also available for those unable to attend in person. Visit dal.ca/rhodes for complete details. Last November, Medical Sciences student Diana Adamo was announced as Dal's 94th Rhodes Scholar.

McCall MacBain Scholarship information session

Students interested in applying for the 2025 cohort of McCall MacBain Scholars are invited to attend an information session on Monday, March 11 from 12 to 1 p.m. in room 3207 of the Mona Campbell Building. McCall MacBain Scholars receive full funding for a master's or professional degree at McGill University. Learn more and register to attend.

RBC Youth Health Innovation Challenge

If you're between 16-25 and living in Nova Scotia, you're invited to make your voice heard on mental health care in the province through the RBC Youth Health Innovation Challenge. Teams of 3-5 participants will pitch their idea for innovations at regional competitions across the province. The winner of the final competition will be awarded $8,000 and support from the Nova Scotia Health Innovation team in further developing their idea. Learn more and sign up to attend an upcoming information session on the Nova Scotia Health website. 

For faculty: Communities of Teaching Practice in Science

Faculty are invited to join a facilitated in-perosn discussion about Inclusive STEM Teaching, which runs alongside the Inclusive STEM Teaching Project, an NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education program.

The Inclusive STEM Teaching Project is a concurrent opportunity beginning March 4th: a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) with remote learning communities. The six-week MOOC is designed to advance the awareness, self-efficacy, and ability of STEM educators to cultivate inclusive learning environments for their students. Participants will engage in deep reflection and discussion around topics of equity and inclusion across a variety of institutional contexts. Register for the course here.   

Teaching Affiliate Leads: Susan Gass (Earth & Environmental Science) and Sarah Chisholm (Mathematics & Statistics) 

Schedule: Wednesdays 1:30-2:30pm, Mar. 13, Mar. 27, Apr. 10, Apr. 24 (on campus - location TBA)

Please sign up using this form by March 4th.

Dal Innovates: Lab2Market Launch and Collide Launch

Applications for Dal Innovates' 12-week summer accelerators Lab2Market Launch and Collide Launch are now open. 

Both programs are 12-week summer accelerators for pre-seed entrepreneurial teams with Lab2Market for research-focused ideas and Collide for all types of ventures. Participants receive a $10,000 stipend plus additional access to non-dilutive funding over the course of the program. Students and faculty are invited to apply by the deadline of March 17. 

Would you like to make a submission to the Dean's Office Dispatch? Email communications.science@dal.ca with a brief summary of your notice, a supporting link or email address, and a photo/image if you have one.