SIA Teaching Videos

Explore the Trottier Observatory and get an introduction to general astronomy. Then, dive deeper into the science of stars – learn how to measure the light of a variable star, take multiple images of the same star to see how how photon counts vary over time and, finally, study how variable stars are used to estimate the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy.

Featuring: Matthew Cimone, Trottier Observatory, Dr. Joanna Woo, SFU Department of Physics

Additional resources: 

• Trottier Observatory Lab Hand-out - Easy (pdf)
• Trottier Observatory Lab Hand-out - Difficult (pdf)
• Starry Nights at the Observatory

Follow the development of a lithium ion battery from synthesizing materials in the lab to preparing electrodes from the synthetic products to assembling into a coin cell type battery. Observe electrochemical techniques for testing batteries and advanced electron microscopy techniques that fine-tune these materials' atomic scale composition and structure for enhanced battery performance.

Featuring: Dr. Gurbinder Kaur, Senior Research Scientist, Kelsey Duncan, graduate student, Katherine Manarin, undergraduate student, Dr. Byron Gates, Professor, SFU Department of Chemistry

Additional resources:

• Presentation Slides
• Additional Information and Discussion Questions

The Nobel Prize-winning polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, used widely in genetic engineering and microbiology, requires knowledge of the double stranded antiparallel structure of DNA and emphasizes the importance of understanding its molecular details. Learn how this technique is used to determine the components in DNA samples, such as in testing for COVID-19.

Featuring: Pawandeep Nagra, graduate student, Peter Hollmann, Senior Lecturer, SFU Department of Biology

Additional resources:

• PCR Demo Student Worksheet
• PCR Demo Instructor Information

See how physics and biology work together in experiments designed to stretch single collagen proteins and measure how they respond to force. By manipulating collagen and observing changes to its mechanical properties, physics researchers explore how this affects the body's aging process and susceptibility to disease. 

Featuring: Alaa Al-Shaer, graduate student, Janine Srocka, graduate student, Luis Ramírez-Ramírez, graduate student, Dr. Nancy Forde, Professor, SFU Department of Physics 

Additional resources: 

• Exploring Magnetic Forces

Learn how to use an Anatomage Table for virtual dissection. See how cadavers are processed and digitally recreated and how the Table enables detailed exploration of the anatomy of the thorax by dissecting it in layers, from the skin to bone. 

Featuring: Ryan Wu, undergraduate student, Camille Velasio, undergraduate student, Nicole Conquergood, undergraduate student, Dr. Leanne Ramer, Senior Lecturer, SFU Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology 

Additional resources: 

• Human Anatomy for High School Students 
• Human Anatomy Teaching Worksheet Answer Key 

Get familiar with ice penetrating radar, a piece of geophysical field equipment that images a glacier's interior ice and measures its thickness. Learn about the measurements that assess the health of these icy reservoirs and provide information for the computer models used to make glacier change predictions.

Featuring: Dr. Gwenn Flowers, Professor, SFU Department of Earth Sciences

Additional resources:

• Using Radar to Image Glaciers