Environmental Monitoring: Alberta

At the just-concluded G20 summit in Brisbane, Australia, the leaders of the 20 major economies in the world agreed to “take strong and effective action” on climate change. Still, at this critical juncture in the history of our planet, it is essential that the scientific world continue to document the dramatic climate changes occurring all across the globe.

One technological area gaining wider use is remote sensing. Today sensors are powerful and inexpensive, network access to remote data is increasing, scientific models are improving, and “big data” algorithms for crunching the numbers are more accessible. In fact, we are now able to “watch the forests breathing” in real-time from our Edmonton campus, thanks to advanced streaming analytics software we’ve incorporated into one of our research initiatives. In real time, it is possible to take the pulse of an area, whether it is the environment (land, water, air) or the inhabitants (animal, fish, insect, plant). The data can be used to assess the health of a region, understand the short- and long-term trends, anticipate problems, and devise remediation schemes. Widespread remote sensing is essential to documenting what we are doing to Mother Earth.

Nowhere is this truer than in the province of Alberta, Canada, home of the oil sands. The extraction of oil from bitumen (often called “tar” because of the similarity in appearance) has ignited a global discussion about the need for energy and the cost of obtaining that energy, both economically and environmentally. Remote sensing can be used as crucial input to the many claims that are being made by environmentalists and the media – those with and especially those without the appropriate expertise – about the real impact of this increasingly global flashpoint for the energy versus the environment debate.

As an important step forward, the Alberta government has created the arms-length Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency (AEMERA). Its mission is to “monitor, evaluate and report on key air, water, land and biodiversity indicators to better inform decision-making by policy makers, regulators, planners, researchers, communities, industries and the public.” This body has the mandate, senior leadership, and financial resources to make a difference. In particular, by moving the environmental monitoring responsibility from the government to an independent, scientifically based organization, we expect to see the gathering and analysis of data that will lead to impartial conclusions. Perhaps then we can move the climate change discussion above the “is it real?” debate and on to the crucial “how do we remediate it” dialogue.

In a smarter planet, the entire world would be instrumented, from the macro level down to the micro. From the rain forests of the Amazon to the ice caps on Greenland to the depths of the oceans, remote sensors could supply a steady stream of real-time data. How do we fund the placement of literally billions (more?) of sensors around the world? Simple. Remote sensing has the potential to save billions of dollars per year by identifying problems in advance and preventing them from happening.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In this case, the stakes are much higher.

[This blog posting also appears here.]

Lest We Forget

With Remembrance Day less than two weeks away (November 11), it is sad to see a reminder of wars past – and present – impact our lives. On October 20 and 22, the Canadian sense of disengagement from the terrible events happening in the Middle East was shattered. Two men, possibly feeling justified by their extreme religious beliefs, each killed a defenceless Canadian soldier. The second murder in particular shocked Canadians, as the venue was Ottawa at the National War Memorial (with the drama finally ending at the physical location that is the heart of our Parliamentary system).

Canadians were stunned; these things just don’t happen in Canada. Acts committed in the name of religious extremism happen half way around the world – on television, newspapers and web pages. But in the span of 48 hours, our sense of isolation and feeling of apathy was irreparably changed. Canada lies in the shadow of our large and powerful neighbour to the south. The United States has all too often experienced the pain inflicted by zealots. For us, the world has become a much smaller place.

The monument is surrounded by flowers, flags, teddy bears, and written messages.

Today I was in Ottawa and felt the overwhelming urge to pay my respects at the National War Memorial. It was a moving experience to see the hundreds of flower bouquets surrounding the monument, and many dozens of spectators with anguished expressions on their faces staring at the scene of the crime in silence.  Our National War Memorial, largely irrelevant to the recent generations of Canadians, has regained its place in our national consciousness.

Ceremonial guards honour the memory of soldiers past and, sadly, present.

Happy 50th Birthday Computng Science

The Department of Computing Science at the University of Alberta was the first computer science department in Canada, formally coming into existence on April 1, 1964. On April 1, 2014, the Department had a small celebration to recognize their 50^th birthday. On Saturday September 23, as part of the University of Alberta’s annual Alumni Weekend, the Department held a big celebration. Between 150 and 200 people attended, including alumni who travelled to the event from across Canada, many places in the United States, and even one person coming from Germany.

Attendees included faculty members Keith Smiley and Bill Adams (joining the Department in 1964), Ursula Maydell (1965), and Tony Marsland (1970). My first day was January 2, 1984 which means I have been with the Department for over 60% of its existence.

The first B.Sc. degree from the Department was awarded in 1968, the first M.Sc. in 1964 (really a mathematics degree), and the first Ph.D. in 1973. Sadly there were no members of the graduating class of 1968 present. However, one member of the 1969 class came. She is still active as a programmer, but she has a most unusual job. Her description of the job was all the more poignant given what I had heard the day before. On the Friday, the self-appointed “Geeks”, a cohort that graduated in the late 1980s, gave a presentation to the undergraduate students about the ``lessons they don’t teach you in the classroom.’’ One of the topics was the rapid pace of change in computing. They described the skills they learned when they were students – IBM 360/370 assembler, Algol 68, Pascal, JCL, Fortran, C – and stated that at best what you learn at university has a five-year shelf life. The point was that you needed to keep learning to be relevant as a computer scientist today.

Rob Enns and Derek Iversion showing off the "Geek Wisdom" announcement -- the lessons they don't teach you in the classroom.

Back to the 1969 grad. What does she do? She programs in IBM 360/370 assembler supporting a US state government that has very old software that has not been rewritten using a modern programming language. Imagine that she programs using the same tools that she learned over 45 years ago. In the field of computing, this is almost unheard of (and perhaps reflects poorly on her employer). On the other hand, for our 1969 grad, this is probably a huge windfall. There can’t be many IBM assembly language experts left in the world, so I assume she charges top dollar for her services!

One of the pleasant surprises at the event was a mock-up of Chatty Cathy, the Department's PDP 11 computer from the late 1960s. In 1970, the machine became one of the first three in the world to host the UNIX operating system outside of Bell Laboratories (where it was originally developed). For 25 years, the machine remained divorced from the passage of time, running an early version of UNIX until finally decommissioned. The machine is still around in a computer museum in Athabasca Hall, but for the 50th anniversary party, a local balloon expert recreated Chatty Cathy.

A balloon rendition of Chatty Cathy. The resemblance to the original PDP 11 is striking, including the tape drives.

The Geeks graduated in the late 1980s. They are a close-knit group of friends who stay in touch and get together frequently, despite living in various places in Canada and the United States. I knew all of them when they were students at the University of Alberta -- some of them were in the very first class that I taught in 1984. They were a social group who organized a weekly evening get-together for beer, which they jokingly called CMPUT 469. That "course" still exists to this day.

The Geeks were active in sports and had a hockey sweater created to showcase the Computing Science team. At the 50th anniversary celebration, I came dressed in the original 1985 sweater. The Geeks, on the other hand, made a new version of the sweater which they proudly wore. Why a new sweater? The old one did not fit any more. I am proud to say that my sweater still fits and even looks rather baggy on me!

A subset of the "Geeks" (photo taken by Rob Enns). From left to right Rob Enns, Chuck Daniel, honorary member Jonathan Schaeffer, Marcel Laforce, Ed Cheng, Jim Moore, Lance MacAndrew, and Derek Iverson.

The 50th anniversary party was a wonderful event. There were three short speeches: Bill Adams on the early years of the Department, me on the middle years, and Mario Nascimento on the present (he is the current Department Chair). There was excellent food, including a special round of the preferred food of hungry students: pizza. It was a time to renew friendships and fondly recall past events. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

On Saturday August 9, I was privileged to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the soon-to-be-completed Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum. It is located near Grande Prairie, Alberta (roughly a five-hour drive north-west of Edmonton). This 41,000 square foot (roughly 4,000 square meters) will open to the public in March or April 2015. Alberta is a treasure trove of fossils, and the museum is another crown jewel in the province's rich paleontology tourist offerings.

Of special interest to me is the name of the museum. All too often, public places are named after people once they die. Philip Currie, Professor of Paleontology in the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta, is the world's premier dinosaur hunter. He has spent his career in Alberta and made many groundbreaking discoveries using fossils uncovered in Alberta. Thus it is a fitting tribute to an amazing person that it was decided to name the museum after a living scientist. Congratulations Phil!

What follows are some pictures from the event, including some illustrious names from Hollywood and business.

I like having a personal memento for major events I attend. Here I have a chessboard and am asking the celebrities to each sign a square. To my left is Dan Aykroyd (Saturday Night Live; Ghostbusters; Blues Brothers); to my right signing the board is Fran Dresher (The Nanny).

A parade of 650 motorcycles ended at the Museum. Dan Aykroyd (not shown above) was at the head of the procession.

The famous Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had a presence.

Getting ready for the ribbon cutting. On the left: Eva Koppelhus (Phil's wife) in red, Dan Aykroyd (with ball cap). On the right: Phil Currie (beside the pdium), Donna Dixon-Aykroyd (Dan's wife).

On your mark, get set, cut!

The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum. This picture of one end of the building does not capture the enormity of the structure. The building has a design that from a dsiatnce makes it resemble the outline of a dinosaur.

Dan Aykroyd and Donna Dixon-Aykroyd at the podium. The Aykroyds were generous sponsors of the museum.

Phil gave a wonderful speech. Eva and Phil are a team, but Eva shuns the spotlight.

Dan Aykroyd singing the blues was the featured entertainer, bringing back memories of him on film and stage with his Blues Brothers partner John Belushi.

Aykroyd is 62 years old, but can still belt out the tunes like he was 30 years younger.

John Paul DeJoria (Paul Mitchell hair products; Patron liquor), a multi-billionaire attendee.

Onlea

Last week, the University of Alberta spinoff company Onlea was announced (onlea.org). Onlea (pronounced on-lee-a) has a mission of “mindful online learning crafted with scholarship, creativity and quality.” I am one of the four founders of this exciting opportunity.

The core business of the University of Alberta is research and teaching. It is not doing the production work required to turn the content of a course into an engaging online experience. Onlea partners with universities, schools, companies, and agencies. Our clients determine and own the pedagogy. Onlea works with them to turn their material into a high-quality interactive online course. To do so, we have a talented team of people and contractors including producers, directors, cameramen, film editors, illustrators, graphic designers, script writers, makeup specialists, software developers, project managers, instructional designers, assessment specialists, and so on. In other words we take an educator’s ideas and create an online adventure that engages the learner.

Let’s say you are a professor and want to create a MOOC (massive open online course). You decide on the course and the content. You then contract with Onlea to work with you on creating the online version. We go over the material, suggest improvements, help with the script writing, suggest interactive software applications (ILOs – interactive learning objects), work on in-line quizzing (periodic formative feedback), help with course assessment (online midterms and exams), coach the course presenter(s), film and edit the course material, add in illustrations, and so on.  In other words, the material given to us by the educator is the proverbial tip of the iceberg for Onlea.

The founders of Onlea worked on the University of Alberta’s first MOOC, Dino 101. From it we learned many valuable lessons. In particular, it’s not in the University of Alberta’s best interests to employ a (large) full-time team devoted to doing the production work needed for online courses. Although a few universities do their MMOC/blended/online course production in-house, most can’t afford to do so or, quite frankly, don’t want to do so. Onlea wants to work with other educational institutions and companies to produce their courses. We will work on any kind of online learning experience, not just MOOCs. Further, we are platform agnostic.

Will I make a lot of money from Onlea? Sadly, no. The company has been created as a not-for-profit. Thus any money earned gets plowed back into the company. I have a full-time job as Dean, so my work with Onlea is restricted to my own personal time. Of course, I have to reserve a few hours each week for leisure time, else work will become all consuming.

So why I am putting in the extra hours needed to help Onlea succeed? Because I believe there is a real opportunity to make the company an international leader in the online space. Onlea is the first MOOC production company in Canada (and possibly the world). Many institutions have already expressed interest in what we can do (thank you, Dino 101). We have to leverage this to go great work and continue to innovate. As a researcher, I know how much fun it can be on the leading edge. I am not interested in being an also-ran.

In 1995, I co-founded BioTools, Inc. Sadly, the company no longer exists. We started out building software tools to do DNA and protein analysis. The products were well received in the marketplace, but we couldn’t quite generate enough ongoing revenue. The dot-com crash hit us hard and we almost went under. We reinvented ourselves by commercializing the poker-playing software developed by my research group. This was successful for a while but, again, we couldn’t quite generate enough ongoing revenue. Eventually we sold the company. I made less than $10 for every hour that I put into the company. Although the money wasn’t great, it was an interesting learning experience and an exciting journey with plenty of highs (e.g., our bioinformatics software getting an excellent review in the prestigious journal Science; the poker software being picked up by Walmart) and some major lows (e.g., laying off people; almost going bankrupt).

Hopefully Onlea will have plenty of highs and none of the lows. Stay tuned!