Members of the University of Windsor Avian Taxidermy Club showcase their specimensMembers of the University of Windsor Avian Taxidermy Club showcased their specimens to the public at Thursday’s Science On Tap: Birds and Beers event.

Local community flocks to Faculty of Science ornithology event

More than 100 people joined University of Windsor students and faculty at Walkerville Brewery on Thursday for an evening of activity focused on ornithology. The event, called “Science On Tap: Birds and Beers,” was an opportunity for ornithology students and researchers from the Faculty of Science to interact with members of the community.

“We were really happy with the response,” said Dan Mennill, associate dean of science and organizer of the event. “More than 100 people took part, from many different parts of Essex County. It was a great evening, with an important exchange of ideas between the community and the university.”

Paul Pratt, president of the Holiday Beach Migration Observatory, said he enjoyed the event.

“It was a great opportunity to learn about the current research projects of university staff and students in a relaxed and friendly setting,” he said.

Dante Bresolin, a first-year biology student and a member of the Science Meets Art (SMART) group, presented an exhibit of his photography.

“It was really exciting to be able to showcase my photography to the local community and show how art can communicate science,” said Bresolin.

The evening also included a presentation of posters summarizing research by UWindsor graduate students, a demonstration of 3D printed animals by a UWindsor graduate student, and lightning talks by three UWindsor professors.

Dean of science Chris Houser called the event exciting.

“Science On Tap: Birds and Beers showcased many facets of the Faculty of Science,” he said. “Highly informative presentations were delivered by undergraduate students, graduate students, and established faculty researchers.”

The evening of activities concluded with a competitive trivia contest, focusing on topics ranging from Famous Birds to Windsor Bird Lore.

“Since our event coincided with American Thanksgiving, we had a special trivia category focused on turkeys,” Dr. Mennill said. “I think we gave people some new ornithological vocabulary, such as the turkey’s ‘snood’ and ‘the pope’s nose’.”

More Science On Tap events and Science Uncorked events are planned for the new year, focusing on different areas of interest within the Faculty of Science.

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