The 2012 TRIUMF Summer Institute (TSI) wrapped up on August 17th, after ten days of science lectures, poster sessions, and tutorials that saw the TRIUMF halls filled with students and established scientists.
TSI is held annually at TRIUMF and is mostly attended by young PhD and master’s students from around the world. These students all come together to listen to lectures surrounding a theme in physics, generally related to research being performed at TRIUMF.
According to Tim Chupp, chair of TSI, the primary mandates of TSI are:
1) To provide an advanced set of pedagogical lectures for the students attending, in order to give them a deeper understanding of various topics in physics
2) To enkindle an interest in physics in the minds of the students
3) To provide breadth to the students. For instance, grad students are often focused on one specific topic; TSI affords them the opportunity to learn things that are outside of the field.
4) To allow lecturers to consolidate their teaching, as lecturers are usually either giving general lectures or teaching a course, TSI is something of a middle ground.
This year, TSI drew a crowd of 45-50 students, made up of young grad and PhD students from universities across Canada, along with nearly a dozen from the United States, half a dozen from Europe, and a couple from India. Over a dozen lecturers also attended TSI.
A typical day at TSI is composed of four hours worth of lectures followed by a tutorial that functions as something of a question and answer session. There is also time allotted for students to socialize and meet each other. During the course of TSI, there is a poster session, where the students get to display the progress they’ve made on their own research on a large poster.
Tim Meyer, Head of Strategic Planning and Communications was impressed by the calibre of the lectures being given, saying that TRIUMF has some of the best lecturers in North America at TSI this year. He also drew attention to the most important element of TSI: the students. Noting that they were very engaged throughout the event.
The Summer Institute happens annually, and each TSI takes two years to plan. TRIUMF wishes to thank every person who made it possible this year and every person who attended, turning it into a truly great event.
-- Written by Jordan Pitcher (Communications Assistant) with assistance from Megan Young (Outreach Student)