Exploring Innovation: Energy Explorers Hit the Road in Calgary!

On March 15-16, our Energy Explorers took their research on the road, heading to Calgary for a two-day event including a showcase at TELUS Spark Science Center and Inside Education’s Generate - Energy & Climate Youth Leadership Summit.

The team–comprising six graduate researchers and three outreach staff from Future Energy Systems–presented hands-on demonstrations spanning topics in engineering, land reclamation, energy technology, circular economy, climate change, and environmental policy. Valerie Miller, Outreach and Engagement Lead for Future Energy Systems, said, “This type of Energy Adventure is the culmination of the students’ training and commitment to sharing their work with the community. It's a chance to engage with different audiences in different spaces.”

At TELUS Spark, sponsored by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), over 2,000 curious visitors engaged with our Explorers through interactive demonstrations and conversations. The public got a close-up look at research from the Stein Lab, where researchers are using specific microbial species to reduce methane emissions and combat climate change. Other demos explored carbon capture technologies and advanced wastewater treatment processes from engineering researchers. Younger audiences were especially engaged in interactive activities on land reclamation and solar energy, brought to life by the FES outreach and programming team. Visitors also explored public attitudes toward renewable energy policies, offering a unique social perspective on the transition to cleaner energy. 

Meanwhile, at Inside Education’s Generate Summit, high school students and educators took part in enriching discussions while building face-to-face connections with researchers. The Generate summit, now in its 14th year, is an award-winning program by Inside Education that offers Canadian youth rare access to energy innovations and real-world insights into Canada’s evolving energy landscape. 

“The engagement in Calgary was amazing! We had so many people excited about what we were doing. And of course, connecting with younger students passionate about climate change is always a treat! Hopefully, we were able to show them some of the ways to pursue that passion in the future,” shared Maryssa Iacobelli, one of the Energy Explorers who joined the two-day trip. 

Next stop? Red Deer! Our Energy Explorers are continuing their journey, bringing impactful research and engaging science communication to communities across Alberta and beyond. Stay tuned for more details about upcoming events, including Science Rendezvous at TELUS World of Science - Edmonton on May 10 and K-Days in July, where Explorers will continue to inspire the next generation of energy innovators.

About Energy Explorers: Energy Explorers is a science communication training program for graduate students within the University of Alberta’s Future Energy Systems. Read more about the program here. 

Interested in hosting the Energy Explorers at your next science event? Contact Valerie Miller, PhD, Outreach and Engagement Lead, at vsmiller@ualberta.ca for more information. 

Take a look at some moments from the weekend below!

TELUS Spark and Inside Education Calgary