SEPTEMBER 2019
The Bridge
September 2019
In this Edition ESS Senior Executives 2019-2020……………………………………….3 From the desk of the Director of Publications…………………………..4 President’s Message…………………………………………….………..5 Where success is a tradition………………………………….…………..6 First Year Engineering Retreat……………………………...…………7-8 First Year survival kit……………………………………...…………9-10 Engineering Carnival…………………………………...………………11 Discipline Clubs and Project Groups to get involved with this year. .12-13 Need to find a comfortable spot to study? We got you.………. . ..…14-15 Horoscope Corner…………………………………………………….16 September Photo Highlights………………………………….……17-18
ESS Publications Team Abby Paul Gubani Baweja Joanna Bibangco Mohammad Abdullah Hashmi Mokshita Sharma Roanne Andaya 2
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From the desk of the Director of Publications Dear reader, I would firstly like to congratulate you all on starting another university year and would like to welcome freshmen to the engineering family at the U of A. I also want to extend my gratitude to our entire readership who have helped in the journey of bringing the Bridge where it is today. Over the years we have tried to incorporate general engineering news to be your go to stop for both information and entertainment purposes. Feel free to get in touch with our team if you have any suggestions or requests for the Bridge, or ESS in general. This year, as our organization turns 100, we will try and bring you as many fun events and activities as possible. I encourage you all to take time out from your busy schedules to get involved as much as possible and be a part of the vibrant engineering community at the U of A and if you miss something, we got you covered by bringing you information on everything worthwhile. We design the magazine in such a way that we provide wholesome content that helps you stay in the loop, de-stress, and find opportunities to get involved. A lot of blood and sweat go into an engineering degree and you will often find yourself under mountains of assignments and will find that the workload is insane. But there’s hundreds of us in the same boat - so get involved, get help with whatever you might need, help your fellow future engineers and make the most of the university year. Make use of all the resources you have and grab every opportunity that fascinates you. Lastly, I would also like thank everyone who works to maintain the tradition of U of A’s engineering tri-semester magazine and would like to invite any one of you interested in being a part of the team to reach out to us! All the best for Fall term!
Yours truly, Mokshita Sharma Director of Publications, 2019-20 Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
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President’s Message Dear fellow students, Summer has once again passed us by, though lacking in enjoyable summer weather, and we find ourselves hitting the books once more back on campus. I hope that the first few weeks of the Fall term has been exciting for everyone. This academic year marks an extraordinary milestone as the Engineering Students’ Society (ESS) is celebrating its 100 years! In celebration of its Centennial, the ESS has been extremely diligent in putting together events and numerous services, ultimately to enrich your university experience. We are thrilled to bring you new initiatives, greater events and excellent services alongside the Faculty and the University. The Faculty Orientation, First Year Retreat, Engineering Carnival and the first merchandise sale of the year has taken place so far this term -- all of which have been huge successes! I am absolutely thrilled to be seeing the enthusiastic spirits of both the Engineering student body and the Faculty staff. As the ESS acknowledges its history and traditions, I sincerely hope that you will be more involved and step out of your comfort zone. Participate in various events, let it be social or career-oriented events, volunteer with an engineering group, and continue to make new connections and friendships. I would love to see you at the annual Headshave, the Ski Trip, Career Fair, the Engineering Competition, and of course, GEER Week! Stay tuned for all available opportunities through the ESS social media platforms and weekly EnggLink newsletters! While it is a common goal to perform well in the academics, I strongly urge that you take good care of yourselves throughout the year. Take a breather every now and then -- we all need a break sometimes -whether that be taking a nap, reading a book, watching a movie, making some music or anything you enjoy; simply put some time aside for relaxation. Let’s all be kind to one another, and help each other out where we can; let’s not forget that we are a supportive community after all. Let’s enjoy the 2019-20 academic year; may it be filled with exhilarating adventures, good memories and just the right amount of stress from school! If you have any questions regarding the ESS’ plans for the remainder of the year or any concerns, please feel free to contact me at ess.president@ualberta.ca or simply come by the ESS Office, I would happily have a conversation with you. Yours truly, Mandy Lim President, 2019-20 Engineering Students’ Society of the University of Alberta
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Where success is a tradition by Joanna Bibangco This year’s incoming batch of engineering students are enthusiastic to start their university life right. On August 30th, they attended the Engineering Faculty Orientation hosted by the Faculty of Engineering and the Engineering Students’ Society (ESS), which introduced the services, opportunities, and events that will help enhance their engineering students’ experience during their time at the U of A. The day started with over 750 incoming engineering students occupying the entire Myer Horowitz Theatre. I presented alongside the other ESS Executives about what we offer as the Engineering Faculty Association. Our focus was on the services specifically for first year engineering students, like the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), Mentorship Program and our new Study Buddy Program. The transition from high school to university is difficult, but there are plenty of resources on campus to support students in all years. Co-VP Student Life, William Pang and Khally Bahn (right) hyped the crowd with all the social events planned this year – including the return of the ESS Ski Trip, Engineering Carnival, and of course – GEER Week 78! Excitement spread throughout the theatre when the GEER Week 77 trailer from last year played and the eager first years left with determination to win the championship title in January. Back in ETLC, the engineering clubs had set up booths to introduce themselves to the incoming students. The ESS booth was busy with the sale of the newly-introduced GEER-Up Kits. This package contained the first year supply essentials – engineering paper, a pre-stickered and approved calculator, and Faculty of Engineering stationery! Many upper-year volunteers commented on how they wished they had such a convenient kit in their first year. To end off the day, ESS held a first year mixer at The Hexagon Board Game Café for the students to mingle with their new peers. Around 60 students enjoyed a free drink and stay at one of the go-to cafes for U of A students. A big thank you to the hundreds of students who made the Engineering Orientation a success! ESS wishes you all the best in your studies this upcoming year!
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First Year Engineering Retreat by Bailey Johnson
The First Year Engineering retreat kicked off with 150 engineers piling onto buses, excitement in the air. Night one was team creation. First years banded together in teams of 8 to come up with a name, a flag, and a cheer for the rest of the weekend. These teams would work together to gain points and compete in games to try and score victory for their team. Once the teams were ready, a bonfire followed where each team revealed their flag and cheer. After hearing all the teams, the students gathered to sing the engineering song in what an outsider may call a “cult-like” ritual. A far less superior university’s flag may or may not have been burned at this point.
Saturday began with an early morning trumpet wake up call to arise the campers. Following breakfast, campers grouped up to build the best boat out of only cardboard, duct tape and one lonely garbage bag. Not only did these boats need to float in the lake, but one member of each team was nominated to attempt to paddle the boat to success. Once built, the boats were proudly brought to the lake and put to the test. It’s safe to say there were some impressive performances with victory laps for the top teams. There were success’ and failures, teams putting it all on the line.
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Next up was predator prey, an intense game of hunt and be hunted. Students filled the forest and campgrounds running to hunt and find food and water while attempting to stay alive. As the hunter approached, cougars, elk, coyotes and rabbits banded together to outrun the dreaded likes of mankind. The game ended with few skilled survivors and many exhausted engineers. A little time to relax was much needed after an exhilarating game of predator prey. Engineers filled common spaces, grouping off to their preferred activity. Many chaperons lounged in the sun, relaxing and recharging. A game of Town of Salem unfolded in the Rotunda, with villagers banding together to fight off evil. A water fight broke out in the main field followed by a game of blob tag. In the forest, capture the flag was played. Following free time and dinner was the 4 stage relay. Each team worked together to be the fastest team to complete the relay. A mad fury of engineers could be seen sprinting back and forth across the main field. As night fell, the karaoke mic was brought out, and to the surprise of us all many of the engineers had a knack for karaoke. A crowd formed and dancing followed. Engineers were screaming, cheering, and jumping up and down as their peers killed it on the mic. After a long fun day, the engineers all gathered once again at the bonfire to enjoy s’mores and snacks. Guitars and ukuleles were brought out and a group sing along began. After filling up on sores and song, campers slowly drifted off to their respective lodging for the night.
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First Year Survival Kit by Roanne Andaya
First year is scary. It really is. Going through the transition from high school to university is tough on its own; even more so when you move to an entirely new country. However, first year is doable, especially if you know what to look out for and what to expect in the oncoming months. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that will hopefully make the next few months a little easier.
1. Make friends. This sounds like a no-brainer but it really is a useful tip. Having friends within the faculty that are outside of your regular friend group is a great way to alleviate some of the stress of first year. A familiar face in a lecture or a lab is useful, not only from a social standpoint, but also you’re able to have somebody to bounce your ideas off of when you’re working on assignments and labs. Collaboration isn’t a bad thing, just as long as you contribute your own ideas and uphold the university’s academic integrity policy and hand in your own work.
2. Manage your time well. This tip cannot be stressed enough. University isn’t like high school, no matter how hard you convince yourself it is. This may be a tip you’ve heard over and over, but you have to put it into practice to believe in it. Assignments can pile up quickly, and if you don’t have a set study schedule, or you simply aren’t managing your time well enough, you will fall behind. Ensure that you’re keeping track of when all of your assignments, lab reports, and deadlines are. Plan your days so that you have allotted time to finish everything, and still have time for yourself. In this way, you can stay on top of things and there will be a smaller chance that you’ll end up handing in an assignment late, or skip one altogether.
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3. Do something you love on the side. Burnouts can happen quickly and out of the blue. In order to prevent this, take some time for yourself at least once a week and do something you love outside of school. If there are any clubs you’re interested in, join them! The time commitment may seem too big at first, but having just an hour or so per week set aside for something that isn’t homework does a lot to alleviate the stress. Take an hour every day to meditate, or spend your Friday nights watching a movie. Remember that although your education does take prevalence over most things, your mental and emotional health should always come first. 4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help isn’t a bad thing. It never is. Whether it be because you don’t understand concepts in a class, or if it’s because you feel that your mental health isn’t up to par, asking for support is something you can do, and should be getting into the habit of doing. Go to your professor’s office hours if you need clarification on a subject. Ask questions in class. The University as well as the faculty offer many resources that you can use to your advantage in your first year. Finally, take a deep breath. First year can definitely be overwhelming, but as long as you are able to find a schedule that works for you where you can balance both school and everything else then you will be just fine. Good luck on your first year, and welcome to the university!
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The Engineering Carnival by Devkaran Dhillon
This year’s ESS Engineering Carnival turned out to be an accurate representation of a diverse, vibrant, and colourful life of an engineering student: student clubs, group meetings, social gatherings, networking sessions all packed in one day. Oh— a dunk tank and bubble soccer as well. The annual Engineering Carnival was hosted by the Engineering Students’ Society (ESS) of the U of A on the 12th of September. The ESS (est. 1920) celebrates its centennial anniversary this year. The Engineering Carnival showcased the multiple ways students can participate in student-led groups, make life-long friends, and discover new hobbies.
The goal is to get students involved in clubs and initiatives. The carnival showcases student project groups and their achievements. This is the 6th time the ESS is running the event, and it keeps growing is size and diversity. This year there were over 20 clubs represented at the Carnival. There’s something for everyone: computer engineering, electrical engineering, petroleum engineering clubs, U of A Formula Racing, Eco-Car, Autonomous Robotic Vehicle Project (ARVP), Mining Club, and the U of A Aerial Robotics Club—just to name a few. Although engineers might be best known for solving the world’s most serious issues, they sure know how to have fun. Most importantly, they’re not embarrassed to get dunked or knock down each other in bubble soccer balls. Many of the student groups participating in the carnival run nationally and internationally recognized projects: the Eco-Car team’s brainchild, a hydrogen fuel-cell car, while the Faculty of Engineering Alberta Satellite team is working on their second satellite, the Ex-Alta 2. They plan to launch sometime in 2021. It’s predecessor, Ex-Alta 1 was the first satellite made in Alberta. It circled the globe for 18 months collecting data for studying space weather. It was a fun day at the engineering quad with food trucks and a nice weather to explore the presenting clubs and get a break from the repetitive routine. 10
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Discipline Clubs and Project Groups to get involved with this year by Gurbani Baweja
With the beginning of a new semester, every student looks for opportunities to get involved on campus. Getting involved in a club during their undergraduate degree not only help students acquire significant technical and teamwork skills but also helps them build new connections. There is a wide range of discipline and technical clubs on campus catering to the needs of engineering students from all the disciplines. Some of them are as mentioned below:
Albertaloop Albertaloop is a new student group which is aimed to compete in the Hyperloop Pod Competition. The competition is sponsored by SpaceX and it requires student groups from various universities to design a Hyperloop pod. The group is aiming to participate in the 2021 competition and is looking for new members interested in both technical and non-technical positions. To be a part of the group, you can fill the membership application form here.
Materials Engineering Students' Society(MESS) Are you a materials engineering student? If yes, then this is one of the perfect groups for you. As a discipline club, the MESS organizes numerous events such as Technical Talks, EVRAZ Steel Plant tour in Regina, Industry Night etc to help its members in networking and building social and technical skills. Alongside, the MESS also runs a Bladesmithing project group which comprises of all the students who have an interest in Bladesmithing regardless of their discipline. The Bladesmithing project group actively participates in the TMS Bladesmithing competition as well. The MESS is also a chapter of an extremely fascinating student program called the Materials Advantage which involves The American Ceramic Society (ACerS), The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), The American Society of Materials (ASM), and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS).
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AlbertaSat If you’re fascinated by space then AlbertaSat is the best fit for you! AlbertaSat launched their first experimental satellite named Ex-Alta1 for an 18month mission. The team is now developing its second satellite called the Ex-Alta2 which will work as a multispectral imager. The AlbertaSat team not only provides its members with a handson design experience but also helps them connect with professors, researchers and space industry professionals. You can take a look at their website: www.albertasat.ca for more information about the current projects and involvement opportunities.
Aero Heavy Lift Group If you’re interested in designing an aircraft, the Aero Heavy Lift Group will provide you with an excellent opportunity to do so. The Aero Heavy Lift Group competes in an international design competition by building a remote-controlled model aircraft. The competition is hosted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The group accepts members from numerous disciplines. If you have any queries or if you want more information you can send an email to the group at aero@ualberta.ca
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September 2019
Need to find a comfortable spot to study? We got you. by Mohammad Abdullah Hashmi There is no place like home. The comfort that one’s home offers them is unmatched by any other place, but sometimes, it can feel lonely or stagnant sitting in the same place for hours at a time with little or no company. This is why our university has some great spots for you to go to when you feel the need to get out of the house to study, join up with your study group, or just desire for a change of location.
East Campus Peter Lougheed Hall study room: On the first floor of the newest residence on campus, Peter Lougheed Hall, there is a study room open to all who wish to go there. It is a mandatory quite area in the residence, so if you are in that area of campus and want to get some peace and quiet while doing your assignments, this is the perfect spot for you. To make things even more convenient, there is a bathroom and a water fountain on the first floor, as well as a recreation room to blow off some steam during your much-needed study breaks. Just remember to enter the residence before 9 PM if you are not a resident.
HUB study area: For HUB residents, there is always the study area in the HUB Vault, but for those who do not live there, there is a place right across the Multi-faith prayer room where you can go if you wish to study. Like PLH, this area is equipped with a bathroom and for anyone who wishes, a prayer and meditation area to relax in during your break time.
Central Campus Central Academic Building: Right in front of Tim Hortons, there are multiple seats and even sofas for anyone who likes to study in a more vibrant area bustling with activity. When you get tired of all the silence of most study places, this is a great place to be, especially if you like wedging out on sofas. There are also the tables as well as the bleachers in the renovated area, so if you are looking to breathe in the new-campus air, come right on down!
Rutherford Library: Amongst the most popular study spaces on campus is the Rutherford library, located in front of the HUB. With its 4 floors equipped with books, printers, water fountains, vending machines, and possible other underrated amenities (like the candies the reception gives out)! The third and fourth floors are the extremely quite areas, so for anyone who wished to study in pin-drop-silence, this is the perfect place. 13
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Cameron Library: Possibly the busiest study area on campus is Cameron Library, situated right next to CAB. With its myriad computers to do your homework on, laptop rental options, regular as well as 3D printers, and even secure mobile phone chargers, Cameron library has a lot going on for it. You can even book a private study room in Cameron if you wish.
Students’ Union Building: For anyone wanting to study and eat at the same time, this is a great option. With several restaurants and a convenience store at your disposal, SUB is a place bustling with activity. It is a great place to study if you want to do a little bit of socializing.
West Campus Engineering Teaching and Learning Complex (and NREF): On the second floor, there are several seats available to students for studying and socializing, but ETLC has many more study spots to offer. There is the ECERF lounge, if you want to get a cozier feel, with all its sofas and carpeted floors, but we also have the ETLC solarium. There is a dedicated quiet room for studying in the solarium, built specifically for you hard-working working engineers. One pedway cross later, you can find the tables and chairs in NREF, built just for you and your pile of homework.
Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences and Chemistry building: This place is also packed with study spots. On the first floor, we have the sofas and tables built right in front of the glass gates, so you can bask in the sunlight while studying for your tests. On the Lower levels, there are simple tables and chairs, as well as benches for anyone who wishes. Crossing over to the chemistry building, we find loads of private cubicles on the second floor on chemistry east waiting to be utilized. So, there you have it. This is by no means an exhaustive list, as there are far more spots to study on campus than I can reasonably list here. There are empty classrooms, tables in Tim Hortons, fraternity clubs, and loads of other places you can go to get prepared for your tests. Hopefully, I provided a decent enough list which tells you that wherever you are on campus, there is a place where you can relax and study in peace, whether it’s a simple table and chair, or a whole sofa next to a bust coffee shop. On behalf of the Engineering Students’ society, I wish you all the best in your upcoming midterm examinations and your future goals.
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What essential school supply did you forget? by Abby Paul Sign
Festival
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Your nice pens – That nearly-dry ballpoint you found unattended in a classroom simply won’t do.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Eraser – Maybe borrow one from the friend that ended last year with 4 erasers while the rest of the group had none.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20) C
Calculator – The new iPhone 11 doesn’t come with a gold sticker. Water bottle – But how will people know you’re fun and outdoors-y if you don’t have your sticker-covered Nalgene on your desk at all times? Computer charger – At least you have an excuse for not doing any work. Lab coat – You shouldn’t have to buy a new lab coat for every lab class you take.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Leo (July 23 – August 22) Virgo (August 23 – September 22) Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Stapler – If you’ve been mooching staples off of your friends for the past three years, please just spend the $5 at the Bookstore. Pencil – Doing assignments in pen? Weird flex but ok.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Engg Paper – Loose leaf doesn’t come in different colours for the seasons.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Lunch – Dippin’ into the ol’ Subway fund early. S
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Straight edge – Using your One Card to draw graphs is the ultimate big brain move. Gym clothes – “Forgetting” your gym clothes three days in a row isn’t an accident – it’s a conscious choice.
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