Before COVID-19, this would be a very far-out perspective. I'm in civil engineering, we're not known for taking on new things quickly, but that risk-averse culture is necessary when working with large-scale infrastructure that impacts many people's lives. So this pandemic has forced all of us into a new normal, and in being forced into … Continue reading Let’s make virtual conferences the new normal
Author: Sylvie Spraakman
Can it be cleaned up before it’s infiltrated? Lit review summary
I'm trying out a new thing - writing summaries of interesting articles that I read while I'm doing my PhD. This is meant for an audience of engineers, scientists or architects - some knowledge of hydrology/chemistry/urban infrastructure is needed to understand this. I use scientific terminology, but I don't structure my sentences in complicated ways. … Continue reading Can it be cleaned up before it’s infiltrated? Lit review summary
Water Quality Monitoring at Toronto Harbourfront
This summer I volunteered with Swim Drink Fish and have been helping out with their water sampling team. The Swim Guide stores all of the data from the water sampling team - and is an excellent resource for figuring out if your local beach is safe to swim. I take water samples for E.Coli, measure … Continue reading Water Quality Monitoring at Toronto Harbourfront
Tested! Citizen Science vs. Traditional Science
I recently spoiled myself by buying a water quality testing kit from Water Rangers. While I was working at UofT’s survey camp, teaching water and environmental science to civil engineering undergraduates, I had the opportunity to compare the Water Rangers kit to the YSI Probe, a conventional piece of equipment for any scientists working in … Continue reading Tested! Citizen Science vs. Traditional Science
AquaHacking Reflections
We didn’t think we’d start a company. But hey, here we are. I started the AquaHacking challenge by putting the word out among friends to see who wanted to get together and form a team. We had a few sessions in May where we brainstormed problems and ideas, and settled on one that we all … Continue reading AquaHacking Reflections