UNews - Wayne Lippa

Taking the fear out of chemistry, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ names Wayne Lippa Board of Governors Teaching Chair

trevor.kenney — Wed, 08 May 2024 16:21:58 +0000

An instructor who has made it his quest to take the fear out of learning difficult concepts in chemistry, Wayne Lippa has been named the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s 2024 Board of Governors Teaching Chair.

By adopting a student-centred approach based on his experiences as a student and incorporating strategies whereby students learn chemistry by doing chemistry, Lippa is noted as an effective and reflective teacher, constantly evaluating the methods he utilizes in his classrooms and labs.

Wayne Lippa incorporates a student-centred approach based on his experiences as a student.

The Board of Governors Teaching Chair recognizes teaching excellence and the scholarship of teaching and learning at ULethbridge. Lippa will be recognized at Spring 2024 Convocation, Ceremony III, on, May 31, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.

Wayne Lippa

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Instructor Wayne Lippa (BSc/BEd ’97) faces the daunting task of taking the fear and loathing out of a subject many find difficult to tackle. He does this by adopting a student-centred approach based on his experiences as a student and incorporating strategies whereby students learn the concepts of chemistry by doing chemistry.

Lippa majored in chemistry when he graduated with a combined degree from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in 1997. After a short stint as a math teacher at Medicine Hat’s Crescent Heights High School, he was back on the ULethbridge campus that fall as an academic assistant and has been at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ ever since.

As Lippa has progressed throughout his career, he has never forgotten the instructors who positively impacted his learning journey and the environment he found was most conducive to success. Described as an effective teacher, Lippa is also lauded for being reflective in his role, constantly evaluating the methods he utilizes in his classrooms and labs.

His philosophy is rooted in giving his students a personal learning experience, beginning with knowing every one of his students’ names and using them consistently. He incorporates a sense of humour into his teaching and adheres to an open-door policy with no fixed office hours, welcoming questions and discussion. Likewise, he makes himself available for questions through email, even in the evenings, understanding students are active then working on assignments or studying.

Chemistry is an experimental science and Lippa encourages learning by doing, and rather than just giving answers to questions he guides students to discover answers on their own, thereby empowering their growth in learning. It’s a philosophy he applies to his own learning journey — which is ongoing.

Lippa has been a part of the Teaching Centre’s Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) program since 2012, first being trained as a facilitator and then taking over as a co-coordinator of the program with Dr. Sheila McManus. Its focus is to make people better teachers by allowing them the freedom and security to experiment and try new things while teaching lessons in a safe, constructive environment.

While the ISW program has been extremely positive, participation has waned in recent years due to several factors and Lippa’s Board of Governors Teaching Chair proposal is to review and reinvigorate the program, determining what the ISW will look like in years to come.

Bursary to be established in Bob McKay’s honour

caroline.zentner — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 21:29:49 +0000

During his nearly 40-year career at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, Bob McKay was often moved by the tenacity shown by many of his students who had to work at extra jobs to fund their education. After McKay passed away earlier this year, his family decided to honour his memory by establishing a bursary to support students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who are facing financial adversity.

McKay, who worked as a chemistry instructor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, taught thousands of students over the years.

“One of our frequent conversations was how lucky we both were to have parents who paid for our university education and how difficult it is for university students who have to pay for their university education with little or no support,” says Sandra McKay, Bob’s widow. “Bob was deeply concerned about how hard it is for kids today who have to work more than one job and who have to rely on student loans and bursaries to get through their university education, leaving them with debts that need to be paid once they graduate.”

Sandra had planned on starting a special bursary in his name at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a surprise gift for his birthday in April.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t live to enjoy this gift, but I wanted to have him remembered for his love of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and his care for his students,” she says. “I felt a bursary in his name was the way to achieve this.”

Colleagues in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry describe Bob as someone who consistently displayed a student-centred focus.

“Bob was an all-round nice guy,” says Peter Dibble, Chair of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. “In the decades I knew him I don’t think I ever saw him angry about anything. He was funny and affable and could always brighten a room. He looked after the first-year and analytical labs and saw a generation of students go through. Students liked him for the same reasons I did.”

“Bob would be pretty proud of having a bursary set up in his honour to support future generations of students,” says Wayne Lippa, chemistry & biochemistry instructor. “He was a founding member of the department and enjoyed teaching for 37 years. This bursary will continue Bob’s legacy of helping students.”

Bob joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ when it was in its infancy and located at Lethbridge College, then called Lethbridge Junior College. Setting up the department labs came with its own brand of chaos.

“I am very fortunate to have had Bob as my mentor when I started in January of 1987,” says John Eng, instructor in the department. “Bob shared one of the many stories of the early years of coming into work and flipping through lab manuals with colleagues to pick an experiment to run that afternoon. The lab of the day would precipitate a mad scramble to find necessary equipment and reagents before teaching the lab.”

The result of all that scrambling was the creation of a lab manual that Bob revised year after year throughout his career. He was also a constant champion for students, both in the department and across the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Eng imagines Bob would feel overwhelmed that a bursary has been established in his honour, but also elated that it will help students who demonstrate financial need.

“Over the many years we have been fishing mates, golf buddies, squash and tennis rivals, billiard sharks, Horns fans, scotch consumers, Freemasons and good friends, and I will dearly miss him,” says Eng.

Bob was also devoted to his community. Following his retirement from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, he served on the ULethbridge Senate from 2013 to 2019 and was a member and past president of the Lethbridge Shrine Club. In 2016, the club established five bursaries for ULethbridge students in financial need. In addition, he served two terms as president of the Lethbridge YMCA.

A sports enthusiast, Bob played baseball and softball, racquetball, curled, cycled, ran, and was an accomplished squash player who competed nationally.

Organizers hope to raise $25,000, which would fund a minimum student award of $1,000 annually. Once fundraising is complete, the Bob McKay Endowed Memorial Bursary will be established. Those who want to contribute to the bursary can do so online at Bob McKay Endowed Memorial Bursary.

Spooky Science has genome goo, ghost cannons and yes, exploding pumpkins

caroline.zentner — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:56:41 +0000

The organizers of Spooky Science Weekend aim to occupy youngsters with activities that are fun and engaging while at the same time sparking an interest in the sciences.

“Spooky Science is of course a fun event for the children and a way for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge to engage with the community, get together and share some fun. But the bigger purpose behind that is really to excite the children and the next generation for science,” says Dr. Ute Kothe, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the faculty supervisor for the Let’s Talk Science Outreach program. “If we instill a sense of curiosity and questioning this early, it’s a lifelong attitude that the children will carry with them.”

Batman spent some time with his namesake at last year's Spooky Science Weekend.

An interest in science has never been a problem for Laura Keffer-Wilkes, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge PhD candidate and co-ordinator of Spooky Science Weekend. As a high school student, she recalls having fun isolating the DNA in bananas. The same experiment is in this year’s lineup of activities under its Halloween name — genome goo.

“It’s really easy and kids love it,” she says. “You just crush up the banana and you mix in some dish soap and salt and then you rinse it with some isopropyl alcohol — all things you have in your house, right? Then you get these goopy strings.”

Genome goo is one of 10 activities in the lineup, along with a magic show by Wayne Lippa, an instructor in the department. Spooky Science enlists the help of about 20 undergraduate and graduate students for each of the three sessions.

“We couldn’t do it without our volunteers. They’re amazing,” says Keffer-Wilkes.

Getting youngsters interested in science at an early age gives them a foundation for learning about scientific inquiry and skills they’ll use throughout life.

A father and daughter perform an experiment at last year's Spooky Science Weekend.

“We believe strongly that this enables them to become critical citizens who are able to deal with problems in everyday life. Often, applying science skills of inquiry and questioning really helps you get along. That’s why we do science outreach,” says Kothe.

Keffer-Wilkes, who’s originally from Ontario, completed an undergraduate degree at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Guelph. A six-month internship at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lethbridge Research Station brought her out west. Following her internship, she decided to resume her studies, completing a master’s degree at the U of L and now working on a doctorate. Keffer-Wilkes joined the Let’s Talk Science Outreach program at the U of L a few years ago.

“I want to get young kids excited about science so they understand it,” she says. “I want to educate more people that science isn’t scary and we need to understand to be able to make informed decisions for our country.”

Because of its popularity, all sessions of Spooky Science filled up shortly after registration opened on Oct. 8. The activities are free but cash donations are never booed.

Media are welcome to attend any session of Spooky Science. The Friday session goes from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Saturday sessions go from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium.

Spooky Science ready to spark fun and interest in the sciences

caroline.zentner — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:12:58 +0000

This week’s Spooky Science activities are designed to give youngsters a taste of science wrapped up in a bunch of Halloween fun.

While he didn’t get the chance to attend such an event when he was a child, Luc Roberts, a doctoral student majoring in biochemistry, now has the chance to organize it through the Let’s Talk Science Outreach program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

“I really enjoy Spooky Science night. Everything’s exciting to younger children; they really like science and nothing is impossible. They have all these ideas and it’s good if you can get them interested in science at a young age,” says Roberts. “I see a lot of students here who came to some of our other Let’s Talk Science events. It’s nice to think that some people are joining the sciences because of us.”

He remembers the curiosity and creativity he had as a child, building with Lego blocks and getting out the screwdriver whenever a household appliance was broken so he could take it apart and see what was inside.

“I could never put it back together but I would take it apart, just because it was kind of cool inside,” he says.

Luc Roberts, a doctoral student, is one of the organizers of the Spooky Science weekend.

Roberts, who grew up in Lethbridge, had a natural affinity for the sciences when he was in high school. When he began his studies at the U of L, he intended to become an engineer. Those plans changed when he found he enjoyed other sciences more than math. Biochemistry piqued his interest, especially after he took his first serious biochemistry course because he had to apply the knowledge he’d learned in previous classes to solve problems.

“It was just incredibly challenging and I really liked it,” he says.

Roberts and several other students have been organizing Spooky Science Weekend with Dr. Ute Kothe, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Let’s Talk Science Faculty supervisor, since September.

“Our biggest goal is to make it fun for the children so we put a lot of energy into finding really good activities, adding new activities, but also having safe activities,” says Kothe. “We want to excite the next generation and their parents for science, so that they enjoy and appreciate science and research and see the power of science in explaining the world.”

Children will participate in 13 activities, including making fake blood, fake snot, screaming balloons and small lava lamps. The evening includes a spooky chemistry show, complete with puking and exploding pumpkins, by Wayne Lippa, a U of L chemistry and biochemistry instructor.

“We have enthusiastic, happy children dressed up in their best costumes being focused and engaged in science and totally loving it. Just seeing their eyes is for me the biggest reward ever,” says Kothe.

Media can choose from three Spooky Science Weekend events, all held in the Atrium of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall. The Friday event goes from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday events go from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m.

Bill Nye visits U of L campus

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:27:04 +0000

This event is sold out

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Graduate Students' Association (GSA) are proud to welcome Bill Nye to campus as part of the ULSU's Annual Student Speaker Series.

"One of our primary mandates is to increase student engagement on campus and create a unique and memorable experience for our students," says Andrew Williams, the ULSU vice-president academic.

With that in mind, Williams began the process of courting and finalizing a deal with Nye's camp over eight months ago. It was a lengthy process but Williams believes it will pay off in a very big way with the Monday, Jan. 23 (Noon to 3:30 p.m., 1st Choice Savings Centre) appearance.

"I chose to bring Bill Nye to the U of L for a number of reasons," says Williams. "He is a man, who for many current students, ignited a passion for learning and pursuing knowledge, and that passion and enthusiasm are contagious."

Bill Nye popularized the study of science for a generation of youngsters.

For over 15 years, Nye has been providing audiences with exciting, educational science entertainment. His most prominent persona, Bill Nye the Science Guy, began in September 1993 and ran for five years. Nye hosted a total of 100 episodes to much critical acclaim and captured 19 Emmy Awards.

The excitement from both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community and the greater Lethbridge area to the event is apparent in the brisk ticket sales. Williams says the ULSU has already sold more than 2,200 tickets.

"My hope is that Bill Nye's appearance will remind students of their strong passion and desire to learn, as well as recharge their batteries, so to speak, before mid-terms begin."

The event's attendees are not the only ones who stand to benefit from Nye's colloquial monologues. All proceeds from the event go to the ULSU Food Bank, helping to ensure that its shelves remain full and at the ready for all those who seek its services.

"The ULSU Food Bank is there to provide students in need with one of the most basic of human necessities," says Williams.

The 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium will host the noon event, with the popular ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Chem Guys – John Eng & Wayne Lippa – serving as the opening act.

For more information about the Bill Nye appearance, or to purchase tickets, contact the ULSU at 403-329-2222 or stop by their office on the first floor of the Students' Union Building (SU180).

This story first appeared in the January edition of the Legend. For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Honouring long service

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:24:26 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ held its annual Long Service Awards and Retirement Recognition Ceremony recently, honouring 116 employees who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service. A total of 23 retiring employees were also honoured.

Following is a list of honoured employees.

RETIREES

Art Aitken, Dayna Daniels, Richard Epp, Rex Forsyth, Eldon Gardner, Wolfgang Holzmann, Bill Hudgins, Joan Kendall, Leslie Lavers, Lucie Linhart, Gerald McConaghy, Linda McLeod, Ken Nicol, Seamus O'Shea, Doug Parker, Ramrattie Ramtej, Donna Seyed Mahmoud, Ches Skinner, Philippe Teillet, Linda Van Esch, Wendy Vogel, Nick Wade and Ian Wells

LONG SERVICE RECIPIENTS

40 Years | Maria Draper

35 Years | Chris Charles, Bryan Kolb, Peter McCormick and Gerda VanderFluit

30 Years | Jane Allan, Cheryl Calver, Dayna Daniels, Gayle Durand, Rex Forsyth, Laurel Hamilton, Jay Johnston, Linda Kucheran, Greg Martin, David Naylor, Shari Platt and Leanne Wehlage-Ellis

25 Years | Shamsul Alam, Lana Barton, Bryson Brown, Cathy Campbell, Patricia Chuchryk, Leslie Gatner, Allan Gergel, Nancy Grigg, Tyler Hayward, Mary Anne Hellinga, Wolfgang Holzmann, Bill Hudgins, Margaret Joblonkay, Kas Mazurek, Alice Miller, Richard Mrazek, Thomas Robinson, Doug Ross, Jadranka Smiljanec, Brian Sullivan, Richard Tedesco, David Townsend, Sandy Wiest and Joan Zimmer

20 Years | Patti-Jo Aiken, Linda Anderson, Roberto Aragon-Garcia, Jochen Bocksnick, Carl Budny, James Byrne, Peter Dibble, Deborah Grant, Bill Halma, Andrew Hurly, Janet Macdonald, Karen McCallum, Louise Miller, Al Mueller, Claudia Notzke, Sergio Pellis, Dwayne Pepin, Vern Peterson, Maria Quinteros, Kathy Schrage, Colleen Sullivan, Brian Titley, Donna Townley and Mark Walton

15 Years | Doug Berry, James Dobbie, Jackie Edwards, Lance Grigg,
Michelle Hogue, Marie Matkin, Ian McAdam, Gerald McConaghy, Chris Moroz, Jeff Oliver, Derek Peddle, Michael Perry, John Poulsen, William Ramp, Keith Roscoe, Elizabeth Schultz, Ivan Townshend and Kenneth Vos

10 Years | Louise Arsenault, Stella Baah, Brenda Bell, Donald Birchfield, Ryan Buckman, Jill Cassidy, Lorena deLange, Christopher Epplett, Margaret Forgie, Don Gill, Bill Glaister, Val Hill, Patricia Horrocks, Nancy Hosgood, Frank Huss, Deborah Jarvie, Helen Kelley, Carol Knibbs, Keith Knowles, Josh Korthuis, Christopher Kukucha, Greg Lacey, Corie Lazenby, Wayne Lippa, Karen Mahar, Jeremiah Merkl, Josephine Mills, Joy Morris, Chris Nicol, Chris Picken, Jeremy Pierson, Mike Pinder, Catharine Reader, Michael Robinson, Victor Rodych, Tammy Rogness, Mark Sabo, Robin Schafthuizen, Shelley Scott, Behnam Seyed Mahmoud, Gerry Ste. Marie, Robert Sutherland, William Tietz, Raquel Trillia, John von Heyking, Kevin Ward, Katherine Wasiak, Robert Williams, Barbara Williams, Jim Wishloff, Robert Wood and Jing Zhu

To view the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Taking a little off the top

trevor.kenney — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:18:21 +0000

The annual Headshave for Cancer event takes place Wednesday, Mar. 30 in the UHall Atrium. Kelly Roberts, sound technician for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre, is shaving his head in support of the Canadian Cancer Society in conjunction with HeadShave Canada and the
U of L's Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Omicron-Xi Chapter.

Here, Roberts is getting a little help from David Green, a cancer survivor and the Faculty of Fine Arts shop head carpenter. While Roberts might have the most to lose, he's just one of a number of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ staff, students and faculty lopping it all off for the cause.

Pick up a pledge form from any of the participants to donate. Kevin McFadzen and Jeff Hilliard (Sport and Recreation Services) will join Roberts on Mar. 30, while Wayne Lippa (chemistry and biochemistry), Ardis Anderson (philosophy), Greg Patenaude (chemistry and biochemistry) and Peter Dibble (chemistry and biochemistry) all supported the Flying Doctors of Canada by having their locks lopped off on Mar. 11.

For a look at the March issue of the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Chem Guys open for Mythbusters

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:39:42 +0000

Eng, Lippa to open Mythbusters event

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:50:42 +0000

John Eng and Wayne Lippa won't be blowing up too much stuff at the Feb. 6 Mythbusters event, but they will be setting a few things on fire, all the while teaching the sold-out crowd about chemistry in a fun and inventive way.

Together, Eng and Lippa have been promoting chemistry in the community as The Chem Guys for a decade. Their goal is to displace the general public dislike of chemistry with a message that chemistry is fun.

Eng has a BSc in Biochemistry from Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and has been teaching chemistry at the
U of L since January 1987. Lippa has a BSc/BEd degree from the U of L and has been teaching at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ since August 1997.

They'll serve as the opening act for Saturday night's Mythbusters event at the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness. The Science Alberta Foundation and Suncor Energy Foundation are partnering with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to host MythBusters Grant Imahara and Tory Belleci as part of the Science Happens Here program.

Imahara is a former animatronics engineer and model maker for George Lucas' Industrial Light & Magic. Belleci worked for ILM for eight years as a model builder, sculptor and painter.

Both Eng and Lippa are available to drop in to schools with their traveling road show, and can be contacted at

Making things explode is a staple of their shows.

engj@uleth.ca.

For more information on chemistry studies at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, follow this Chemistry link. Or follow these links to check out John Eng and Wayne Lippa.

UNews - Wayne Lippa

Taking the fear out of chemistry, ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ names Wayne Lippa Board of Governors Teaching Chair

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