Welcome to USS Science!

Science is everywhere!  Join us on our adventure through discovery.  If you have any questions regarding course selections for next year, please ask your Science Teacher or make an appointment with a Guidance Councellor.  The following Prerequisite Chart should help you do some long range planning.

There are always many opportunities to get involved in Science!  Join the Science Club!!  Visit Ms. Condy for details!

See below for some articles on special events that have already occurred.  We continue to provide experiences outside the classroom on a variety of topics.  Let's explore this amazing universe!

New for Next Year!!!  SNC 1P3 - Grade 9 Applied Science.  This course must be partnered with MFM 1P3 - Grade 9 Applied Math.  Students taking this combination of math and science will be taking math and science all year on alternate days.  This new program will allow students to make connections between what they learn in math to what they do in science.  Great opportunity!

Course selections are complete!  We hope to see you next year!  If you have any further questions on science courses, please do not hesitate to ask any science teacher.

??LOOKING for SCIENCE HELP??? 

Just ask your teacher!  Science teachers are always around.  Seek assistance right away!  Do not hesitate!  Opportunities for extra help are available before school, at lunch and after school.

USS SCIENCE OUTREACH TEAM!

A group of grade 11 and 12 Physics students will be running a Physics Workshop for visiting Grade 8 Science Students on April 19, 2012.  The enthusiatic USS Physics Students will be working with Grade 8 students to explore Simple Machines and Efficiency of Machines.  Students will be designing, constructing and testing simple machines using technology to complete a design and construction challenge.  Ms. Lim-Cole and her physics outreach team will provide a dynamic learning environment to explore key ideas in science. 

Visit with former USS Student - Dr. Paul Salvini

Dr. Salvini is the Chief Technology Officer of Christie Digital.  His presentation on February 24, 2012 in the USS Library was attended by Math, Computer Science, Physics and Science students.  As Dr. Salvini walked us through his educational journey and his adventures in Cinema, the students were both amazed at his accomplishments and his knowledge of math, science and business.   

Dr. Paul Salvini has a degree in Math and Computer Science from the University of Waterloo.  He then completed a Masters degree and PhD in Engineering at the University of Toronto.  After discovering that technology innovation is tied to business, he completed a MBA at the Rotman School of Management.  Dr. Salvini is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto where he teaches graduate courses in computer simulation and technology entrepreneurship.  In 2007, he was named to "Canada’s Top 40 Under 40" - a prestigious national award that honours outstanding leaders who are shaping Canada's future.

During the afternoon, he discussed how a teacher at USS in 1985 inspired him to pursue studies in Mathematics.  Richard Watson (Math, Physics and Computer Science Teacher), now retired but still residing in Uxbridge, made a surprise appearance in the afternoon.  It was nice to see a former student of USS have an opportunity to reconnect with the teacher who made such a difference.  

Dr. Salvini's career was fascinating.  As little children, we all loved to play with toy trains.  As it turns out, Dr. Salvini did actually play with real trains as he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway as a systems specialist in the computers and communications control branch.  While completing his Master's degree, he worked as an assistant programming supervisor at the Metro Toronto Transportation and worked on improving Toronto’s main traffic signal control system.  His ability to apply mathematics to solve real world problems was emphasized for our students.  

The highlight for most of our students was his discussion on how mathematics is used in cinema.  His work with Side Effects - a Canadian company providing 3D animation and visual effect tools for high end cinematic effects for movies such as Spiderman, Titanic, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  As CTO, he was instrumental in the development of the main software product, Houdini.  

As Dr. Salvini finished his afternoon talk with our students, he discussed his current job as CTO of Christie Digital.  His work at Christie Digital focuses on digital projection and visualization.  He discussed how the company’s projection devices are being used to create large scale visual displays for major world events like Expo, World Cup Soccer, Hollywood grand openings, celebrations of anniversaries such as Quebec City, and even lighting up the Eiffel Tower for its 120^th anniversary.  

The complexity of the process of lighting up surfaces of irregular shapes and sizes and the magnitude of the projects involving many high powered projectors to simulate images that would be perceived to originate from one projector were discussed.  Dr. Salvini also discussed the use of different visualization technologies used in simulation design (in-flight refueling training), rear screen projection (such as at the NASDAQ MarketSite at Times Square,) and even new visualization techniques involving new kinds of projection under development.

He showed how laser projection can be used for surface visualization and provided an example of the company’s VeinViewer where veins are made visible on the surface of human skin.  It was clear in his explanation that his work requires problem solving using skills in mathematics, computer science and physics.

As his presentation ended, Dr. Salvini took us through what is to come in cinema.  He discussed the next generation of digital projection as he discussed high film rate cinema and what films to look out for in the near future.  As the presentation ended, it was clear that his start at USS with Mr. Watson has led him on a journey that is truly inspirational.

Thank you Dr. Paul Salvini for making the drive out to Uxbridge.  We wish you all the best and please drop by again!

USS Visits Perimeter Institute and PI Vists Us!  GO PHYSICS!

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is a world-renowned research facility located in Waterloo, Ontario.  It is a research facility dedicated to to foundational research in Condensed Matter, Cosmology and Gravitation, Particle Physics, Quantum Foundations, Quantum Gravity, Quantum Information Theory, Superstring Theory and other related topics.  You can learn more about the areas of research by visiting, www.perimeterinstitute.ca.  Perimeter Institute is an independant, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to research in theoretical physics.

For the past four years, USS students have experienced visits to the Perimeter Institute on an annual trip out to Waterloo.  This unique experience for our students is made possible through Ms. Lim-Cole's involvement with PI's Outreach Team.  Students are provided an opportunity to tour the facility, listen to a lecture, and even have lunch at the Black hole Bistro.  The trip is often partnered with a lecture and tour at the Institute for Quantum Computing (University of Waterloo).  For the last couple of years, USS Students have also been able to visit McMaster University and participate in the Engineering and Science Olympics or participate in laboratory investigations (Kinesiology Lab).  Plans are in the works for next year's PI experience.  

Uxbridge Secondary School hosted the Go Physics!Program this year for the Physics Students across Durham.  Students from high schools across durham came to USS to participate in a full day of discoveries in Modern Physics.  The PI Outreach team lead by Dr. Richard Epp helped students investigate and question ideas in Physics (General Relativity, Quantum Theory and Quantum Information).  The full day Modern Physics Camp stretched our students minds beyond their own reality into a world of many questions, counterintuitive ideas and discovery.

Let's continue to explore our world!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

The following is a list of all the science contests running this year.  Contest papers must be ordered in advance.

Thursday April 5, 2012 - Canadian Association of Physicists Highschool Physics Contest.  No cost!  Practice contest exams available at: http://www.cap.ca/en/activities/medals-and-awards/prizes-students/high-school-prize-exam

Thursday April 26, 2012 - University of Toronto National Biology Contest.  Sign up with ms. Condy!  Cost:  $9.00.  Register by March 8th!  Practice contest exams available at:  http://biocomp.utoronto.ca/about

Thursday May 3, 2012 - Waterloo University - Sir Isaac Newton Contest.  Sign up with Ms. Lim-Cole by Friday March 2, 2012!  Cost:  $5.00  Practice exams are available at: sin.uwaterloo.ca

 Avogadro Chemistry Contest and Chem13 Contest Sign up with Ms. Davis or Ms. Kennedy!    Chem13 Contest on Thursday May 10, 2012 and Avogadro Chemistry Contest on Thursday May 17, 2012.  Cost:  $5.00  Practice exams are available at: 

http://science.uwaterloo.ca/chemistry/outreach/chem-13-news-past-exams-and-answers

http://chemistry.uwaterloo.ca/outreach/avogadro-past-exams-and-answers