We’re excited to launch our third season of Nerd Nite Calgary at Wild Rose Brewery Taproom on Thurs. Sept 17! We have a truly phenomenal line-up planned — get your tickets now:
When: Thursday, Sept 17, 2015 @ 7pm (doors at 6:30 PM) Where: The *Wild Rose Brewery Taproom* Tickets: $10 online
This is an 18+ event.
A Leg Up (or, Prototyping Printable Poultry Prosthetics)
Dr. Mark Ungrin & Douglas Kondro, University of Calgary
A rooster who lost his feet to frostbite wears prosthetic legs created on 3D printer and designed by Engineering student Doug Kondro.
3D printing – and rapid prototyping technologies in general – are the subject of growing public attention, not least because of the recent explosion in affordable systems for home use. But what can you actually do with them? We’ll discuss some applications in the field of veterinary medicine, and general hints on using these systems to solve real-world problems.
My Cleanroom Isn’t Like Your Clean Room Dr. Colin Dalton, University of Calgary
Dr. Colin Dalton
What are micro/nano technology cleanrooms and why do we need them? How are they built and operated to stay so clean? A lighthearted look at why some technology needs protecting from homo sapiens as it is ‘born’, and how every day devices are made in extraordinary places. You will also learn some icky things about what makes up dust along the way…
Transgender Medicine in 2015 Dr. Joe Raiche & Dr. Jonathan Dawrant, Foothills Medical Centre and Alberta Children’s Hospital
Drs. Raiche and Dawrant provide an overview of the science behind transgender medicine. Dr. Raiche will focus on reviewing the research around what is gender dysphoria and how specialized mental health experts make the diagnosis and support these complex patients. Dr. Dawrant will provide an overview of the tools the modern medicine uses to suppress one class of sex hormones and introduce another in order to facilitate the gender transition, as well as touching on the advances in surgery that support this unique population of individuals.
The Locked Room and social event for this Friday June 19, 2015 is live and open to everyone now. Please go to the Eventbrite site and reserve your time & room. After you have done that, then send your $23.60 per ticket in via email transfer to frank(at)nerdnite.com <– (at) is @. I’m doing payments this way this time just to save you a couple bucks on service fees.
Tickets are on sale for our epic Nerd Nite Calgary Season 2 Finale on Thursday, June 11!
When: Thursday, June 11, 2015 @ 7pm
Where: The Wild Rose Brewery Taproom
Tickets: $10 online
This is an 18+ event.
Beer and Education … who could ask for anything more? This is the last event of season 2 of Nerd Nite Calgary … let’s send it off with a bang.
SPEAKERS
An Iconic New Horned Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Alberta
Dr. Caleb Brown, Royal Tyrrell Museum
Dr. Caleb Brown
This talk documents the steps involved in the discovery, excavation, and description of a brand new species of horned dinosaur. This new animal is known from an impressive and nearly complete skull found along the Oldman River in southwestern Alberta. Unexpected features of the horns and shield-like frill reveals new data on the evolution of horned dinosaurs.
Our brain is the most complex organ in our body, allowing us to think, feel, reason, learn, believe, talk and so much more that makes us human. But what happens if something goes wrong? Follow Manu and Keelin on a journey through different stages of life and how disorders such as Autism, Depression and Alzheimers are related to changes in our brain.
Be all you can’t be – What is LARP? Cory Fliegel – Alliance Alberta LARP
Love Game of Thrones? Have you watched all of the Lord of the Rings? Want
to participate in stories like these and not just watch them? Live Action
Role-Playing is what you need! Meet Cory Fliegel, owner of Alliance
Alberta LARP. He will be explaining what LARP is and how to get involved
in a fast growing segment of nerd-dom.
Learn about the current state of the robotics industry and how average people are changing the field of robotics from CEO of Calgary-based EZ-Robot. DJ Sures will share the story of how he became a robotics inventor, and how accessible robots are becoming. Watch exciting demos of humanoid and custom robot builds, and learn how robots are learning how to have conversations, track colors and objects, recognize faces and more. There will be a live, hands-on demonstration to accompany this talk.
What is Steampunk? Why has it become so popular in recent years? Why is Steampunk relevant and important today? And, how can one get into Steampunk? Monica Willard will share with us the answers to these questions as she sees them. Monica has been a Steampunk aficionado for the past six years, and is also the admin of the Calgary Steampunk Facebook page. Together with her husband, she owns a webstore called ZoltanGal that sells Steampunk clothing, corsets, and collectables.
Thinking (too) Simply about Science: Snowball Earth, the Cambrian Explosion, and a Missing Banjo Adrian Currie, PhD & Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Calgary
Adrian Currie, PhD
When most people—and this includes philosophers and scientists—think about what science is and how it works, they tend to think in simplistic terms. Scientists only falsify hypotheses, scientific claims are testable, the only legitimate science is experimental, and so forth. While post-doctoral fellow Adrian Currie is all for simplification, he shows why this can go too far. Adrian gives an example of simple thinking about science outrunning its usefulness.
Chicken Soup for the Common Cold Curtis Dumonceaux, University of Calgary
Curtis Dumonceaux
Everyone has heard things like: “Feed a cold, starve a fever;” “There’s no cure for the common cold;” “Do up your coat or you’ll catch cold.” Fact? Fiction? Globally, very few researchers perform the kind of in-depth research with the Human Rhinovirus that Curtis’ group does. He will delineate between fact and fiction, show what is happening in their research, and give insight about what happens to us when we get sick.
The Flight of the Electron David Cramb, University of Calgary
David Cramb
Ever wondered how the universe looks from an electron’s point of view? You will be taken on a journey through the wild, wacky and wavy world of the confined electron. You WILL play dice with the universe. You WILL play favourites with photons. You WILL interfere with yourself. You WILL be trapped in a nanoparticle. How do you escape?
Between the Devil’s Cut and the Angel’s Portion:
Things Not Everyone Knows about Whiskey Adrian Schuster, Alberta Distillers Limited
Adrian Schuster
This talk will leave teach you some facts that will make you sound like a connoisseur of all things whiskey! Find out: How’s it made? What’s it made from? How’s it aged? What makes a whiskey ‘Canadian’? Why do cattle farmers love distilleries? And plenty more…
Tickets for February 11* Nerd Nite Zeta event are now available! Our last two events had sell out attendance. Due to unforeseeable circumstances with our venue, we have had to change the date of Nerd Nite to WEDNESDAY FEB. 11. But, for this event only, we’re offering tickets for free via Eventbrite.com, with an option to “pay what you can” at the door if you choose.
Our last two events sold out, so get your seats now to avoid disappointment:
When (*DATE CHANGE): Wednesday, Feb 11th, 2015 @ 7pm Where: The Wild Rose Brewery Taproom Tickets: $10 online FREE (offered for this event only)
This is an 18+ event.
What rhymes with “Need More Pita” … that’s right it’s Nerd Nite Zeta!
February 12 we’ll learn all about bones, and cosplay.
SPEAKERS
Bone, Not Just a Stick Hayley Britz, PhD Candidate, University of Calgary
Hayley Britz
Bone is more than just pieces of a skeleton that we use as levers with muscle attachments in order to move. It is a metabolically active tissue that is capable of adapting its structure to stimuli and repairing structural damage. For this reason, bone is not just a stick and prone to a variety of diseases. In this talk, Hayley shows us how bones work and how disruptions in this process can lead to diseases, specifically, osteoporosis.
What makes someone decide to turn sheets of foam and fabric into their favourite hero or villain? Who enjoys bringing video game or movie characters to life? How does wearing a costume change social interaction? People don a mask for many different reasons: the desire to create a living work of art, to overcome social anxiety by becoming someone else, or even how using a cultural icon can inspire people to give to charity. Shawn Trainor, veteran cosplayer and Commanding Officer of The 501st legion’s Badlands Garrison, discusses what cosplay is, the reasons why people become a particular character, and how the use of a living avatar can alter the way a person interacts with those around them.
Nerd Nite Epsilon. Beer and Education … who could ask for anything more?
On Thursday, January 15 Nerd Nite Calgary is back at the Wild Rose Brewery! Explore fascinating topics like: Exoplanets, where why and how we find them? How do palaeontologists know things? And, the Dark Knight Origin of the Man of Steel.
Superman and Batman, Kal-El and Bruce Wayne: ever since they first teamed up in the 1940s, they have been seen to be two heroes drawn together in common cause from opposite sides of the superhero spectrum. Where Superman is the triumph of hope against all odds, Batman is the hero of the unwinnable war. We love them both. And have made much of their difference. However, the two share more than this portrait implies. The origin story of a superhero takes time to tell, and gets reshaped with its retelling. Over the years, as the classic shape of Superman’s origin story emerges, we can see how it, as the property not of its original tellers, but of DC comics, becomes blended with the beginning of DC’s darkest knight.
Exoplanets: Where, Why, and How We Find Them Jason Nishiyama – @evilscientistca
Jason Nishiyama
Astronomers have postulated about extra-solar planets, also known as exoplanets, for hundreds of years but it is only since the mid 1990s that we have actually found planets orbiting about other stars. Jason asks: How do planets form? How do we find them around other stars? How do we work out how big they are? And finally, is it possible for us to determine if there’s life on these other worlds?
Lots of people think the scientific method is simple. Frizzy-haired eccentrics in white coats test theories by running carefully planned experiments. The results—unadulterated truth—are then presented to a grateful world. Things, of course, are not that simple. Indeed, science is a very human endeavour: it is complex, idiosyncratic and creative. Hear Adrian defend the view that the scientific method is messy and speculative—and that this is a good thing. In doing so, Adrian examines recent work in paleobiology: both pack-hunting Tyrannosaurus rex and hot-blooded, gluttonous sauropod dinosaurs will get a look-in. As we shall see, mess and speculation actually drives scientific discovery.
Sustainable Space Settlement: How we can “live off the land” …in space. Bryan Versteeg – SpaceHabs
Bryan Versteeg
Will there come a day when more people live off of the earth than on it? Bryan will talk about why he thinks that’s a good idea, and how it could happen. Bryan Versteeg is a self professed nerd/geek/artist hybrid who works as a conceptual designer with 20 years of experience in the architectural and engineering industries. The images and design work from his studio Spacehabs.com are regularly featured in publications like National Geographic, New Scientist and Discovery Channel in support of space exploration and settlement projects. Bryan is the concept designer for Mars One and one of the founders of the space resources company Deep Space Industries.
When you think of a visit to a museum, what do you picture in your head? Most times, it’s a quiet place of inner contemplation, but the new National Music Centre (NMC) aims to thrill visitors with an experience more like a music festival than a museum. NMC exhibitions manager Tyler Stewart tells us about bringing musical stories to life in a dynamic and compelling way that will change visitors’ expectations of what a museum can be like.
Most of the time, discussion about the evolution of Calgary is focused on the negative and the controversial. This isn’t unique to Calgary and is indicative of the challenges of city-building everywhere. While this kind of debate and dialogue is essential in a democracy, it’s important to reflect on what is working well. That’s why John and his team created the #happyyc project. Hear what they learned after taking to the streets of Calgary and online, asking Calgarians to map the places that make them happy.
Nerd Nite Charlie/Gamma/#3 (we’ve really got to stick with a naming scheme…) is happening October 9th at the National Music Centre.
When: Thursday, October 9 2014 – Doors open at 6:30 pm, event starts at 7:00 pm. Where: National Music Centre – 134 11 Avenue SE Tickets: $10 in advance only via Eventbrite Note: No tickets sold at the door; this is an 18+ event.
Our first speakers are artist Jeff de Boer and technologist Shannon Hoover. Jeff and Shannon explore the idea of Art Directed Technology. They’ll share insights from developing the Tech Tie, a wearable technology developed with partners Intel and Seeedstudios, that incorporates art, fashion, social interaction, and just plain fun.
We’re also very excited that Geoff and Julie from Calgary’s own Buy Nothing Yearwill be presenting at our October Nerd Nite. You’ve likely heard about Buy Nothing Year in the news, including this recent Forbes article.
Photo credit: Julie and Geoff from Buy Nothing Year.
We’re extremely excited to announce that Dr. Christian Jacob from the University of Calgary will tell the story of The Giant Walkthrough Brain, and show the 3-dimensional, interactive computer model. We’ll see first-hand demonstrations of the software, as well as snippets from the three performances at the Banff Centre and during Beakerhead. Learn why a computer nerd can get excited about the human brain!
Be sure to email us () to secure your tickets* for our October event! If you’re already a member of Nerd Nite Calgary (i.e., you’re on our email list…), you can purchase tickets on Eventbrite for $10 per ticket.
*Note: there will be no ticket sales at the door due to the liquor license regulations. Also, please note the event is private and only open to Nerd Nite Calgary members and invited guests. It’s easy to become a member! Just email to be placed on the group’s email list, or sign-up in the righhand column of this page under “Stay in Touch Here.”
June 12, 2014
Doors open at 7:00 pm – Event starts at 7:30 pm
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Beta software is usually buggy and not ready for public consumption.
Nerd Nite Beta contains no bugs and consumption is encouraged.
At Nerd Nite Alpha I learned that there are more nerds in Calgary than I expected! So for Nerd Nite Beta I have moved us to a new location – the National Music Centre. A cool venue that should have lots of room for all the nerds out there that want to attend.
I have 3 speakers lined up that will again educate us on 3 very different topics. So bring out your friends and enjoy some nerdness.
When: June 12, 2014 – Doors open at 7:00 pm, event starts at 7:30 pm.
Where: National Music Centre – 134 11 Avenue SE
$15 in advance only – includes one drink (available here) No tickets sold at the door. This is an 18+ event.
Notes about the new venue: One change is that at the new venue we have to run our own bar so due to liquor license rules there will be no entry tickets sold at the door. Tickets will be $15 online only but do include one drink. There will be no kitchen also but our caterer will have baked goods and one food dish available (Cashew Chicken Curry with basmati rice). There is a large parking lot on the other side of 11th Ave.
As we require a liquor license for this event, please note the event is private and only open to Nerd Nite Calgary members and invited guests. To become a member please email to be placed on the groups mailing list.
Bitcoin From Scratch Matt Lonsdale
Between the wild fluctuations in value, the FBI raids, the bankruptcies of high-profile firms and the botched attempts at investigative journalism, Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies get a lot of press these days. Unfortunately, these news stories rarely spend much time on one basic question: how does Bitcoin actually work? This talk will attempt to answer that question, progressing from the basic concepts of a decentralized currency to the technology which makes it possible and the attempts by government to regulate the whole thing.
Biography:
Matt Lonsdale is a lawyer and unapologetic geek. Before getting into law, he earned undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Pure Mathematics from the University of Calgary. He spent six years working as a Linux/UNIX system administrator and interned with the the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.He is currently the Copyright Advisor at Mount Royal University, where he also teaches a course on Intellectual Property law in the Continuing Education department. He spends more time than is probably healthy thinking about the intersection of law and technology and wishes he’d bought more bitcoins years ago.
Bigger on the Inside: Fandom, Materiality and the Limits of Participation Benjamin Woo
In Batman (1989), the Joker famously asks, “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” A better question – and one painfully familiar to the film’s fannish audiences – might be where he keeps them. Growing collections of toys, books, DVDs, and other mementoes are an almost intrinsic part of participating in geek culture, but when they have to be stored, managed, and maintained they also become a limit on participation.
In this presentation, I’ll discuss geek culture from a material culture perspective. Material culture studies is a perspective in the social sciences that attempts to understand human behaviour through the physical artefacts that we use. For instance, although we often talk about fandom in terms of emotional states like “interest,” “enthusiasm,” or “passion,” fandom is also intimately involved with material objects, objects that enable certain actions but also become problems we have to deal with.
Bio:
Benjamin Woo (@wooesque) is a currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of English at the University of Calgary where he has been conducting a study on working conditions in the comic-book industry. He did his graduate work at SFU’s School of Communication, writing an award-winning dissertation on one city’s “nerd-culture scene,” and will begin teaching in Carleton University’s Communication Studies program this fall. With all this moving around, he’s had to make some tough decisions about his own collections.
The Breathtaking Effects of Obesity on Breathing During Exercise M@ … aka: Matthew David Spencer
Some obese individuals experience shortness of breath during exercise, whereas others do not. This talk will outline some of the potentially damning effects of this breathlessness, and will also provide a glimpse into what may lead some to feel the discomfort, while others do not. 100% truth… no hot air!
Bio:
Matt is currently working as an Eyes High Postdoctoral research fellow in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary. He previously spent time in some research capacity at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine (Dallas, TX), Kobe University (Kobe, JP), and earned his doctorate from the University of Western Ontario (London, ON). On his own time, Matt thoroughly enjoys coaching basketball; after spending 12 seasons as an assistant coach with the high school girls’ team in his hometown of Antigonish, NS, he then spent two years with the UWO Mustangs women’s team, and a month as a guest coach with the Kobe University Seagulls while in Japan. Matt joined the University of Calgary Dinos coaching staff as an assistant last year, and lately has donated loads of his “nerdiness” to the program by conducting an advanced statistical analysis of the team’s performance. After the Nerd Night experience is over, Matt plans on focusing his attention toward his next failed comeback to distance running!
