As we watch the world crumble before our very eyes, we have to remember how important it is to keep on learning. That’s what Nerd Nite is all about, and #52 is no different. Learn about some subjects familiar to you… and maybe even some you never thought you’d be interested in. Above all: be there AND be square, delightful nerds!

Science demo starts at 7:30pm. Trivia starts at 7:45pm. Main show kicks off at 8pm.

When: Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Where: Westbury Theatre, ATB Financial Arts Barns (10330 84 Ave NW)
Tickets: $20 in advance (plus fees + GST)
No minors.

Get your tickets now!

Our line-up of talks includes:

Gamification, Education, Motivation, Oh My!
Scott Hebert

Children, and adults for that matter, have never been more engaged by games than they are now. Why is that though? What draws people so deeply into games? What brings them back and what drives them to keep trying to improve in the face of great adversity? In an education system designed where students start with 100% and lose as they go, “Gamification” flips this concept on its head focusing on the individual’s progression while increasing both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation exponentially. Scott has successfully turned his Grade 8 science course into a live-action role-playing game. You will walk out of this session inspired and driven to make changes to your teaching. Will you press start?

I am a passionate and dedicated teacher who currently teaches Grade 8 Sciences, and has done so for the past 10 years. My professional motto is “Would you want to be in your classroom?” and it is reflected in my daily teaching. I believe in innovation in the classroom where I am constantly challenging myself to put new practices into play—especially the concept of “Gamification”. I’m a big video game nerd and I bring my love of video games and their mechanics into my classroom and classrooms around the world. School can be incredibly boring I’m here to change that s*it up!

Pensions, the environment and an extended metaphor about carrot cake: a primer on corporate bankruptcy law
Anna Lund

Whether it’s pensions, the environment or an upcoming holiday, corporate bankruptcies can affect many aspects of your everyday life. Yet, if you’re like most Canadians, you’ve probably never given much thought to corporate bankruptcy law. Until now! After this presentation, you’ll understand how corporate bankruptcy law can impact your life because it decides who gets paid when there isn’t enough money to go around. And you’ll appreciate why it’s important for everyday Canadians to have a say in how bankruptcy law works.

I am an assistant professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Alberta. I practiced law in Edmonton for a few years before I went to graduate school at UC Berkeley (Masters in law) and the University of British Columbia (PhD in law). I have a book coming out this November on bankruptcy law. In my spare time, I practice law at the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, which serves low-income Edmontonians, and I read books (some of them are about lawyers). I really like the law.

Change Health
Doug Klein

What if healthcare actually promoted or protected health? Rather than a healthcare system we have an excellent and expensive disease-care system. It is time for CHANGE.
Many Canadians are leading unhealthy lives. Whether this is because our busy lifestyles require more time sitting in cars and in front of screens, or a lack of knowledge about how to purchase and prepare healthy foods, the situation is serious. Despite abundant evidence for lifestyle interventions and support, we still focus on treating disease after it happens.

CHANGE Health is dedicated to ensuring that all children and families have opportunities to build critical life skills that promote health. These include meal preparation, physical activity, mental wellbeing and positive social connections. Focusing on families CHANGE Health works with several community partners to deliver unique programming that encourages families to work together, build skills for life, connect with nature and most importantly have fun. Our ambition is to develop CHANGE Health as a community solution to some of society’s most pressing problems, that can be scaled across Canada and exported around the world to help address the global physical and mental health crisis.

Born and raised in Regina Saskatchewan, Dr. Klein completed his Medical School training in Ottawa in 1998 and his Residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Alberta in 2000. He completed his Masters in public Health Sciences in 2004. He is a Full Professor in the Department of Family medicine and Director of the CHANGE Alberta Research Team. Dr. Klein’s practice interests include nutrition, physical activity, health promotion and community engagement. Dr. Klein is passionate about health promotion and the health benefits of nature, he can often be found outdoors with his wife and three children.