Cws EDITOR JUDY CHERN THE VOICE, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31,2018 2 Drawing the Neutron Trail Computer science students are collaborating with Olivia Ferm1, founder of the Neutron trail and daughter of a Nobel Prize winner By BRIAN HORSTEAD tudents in the computer science program have an opportunity to work with Olivia Fermi, the granddaughter of Nobel Prize winner, Enrico Fermi. Enrico Fermi is perhaps best known for his work on the first nuclear reac- tor, earning him the nickname “father of the atomic bomb”. Olivia Fermi is an environmentalist and photographer who pioneers, and founded, the Neutron Trail, a cultural exploration of the effect nuclear tech- nology has had. The Neutron Trail, according to neu- trontrail.com, is a term Olivia Fermi coined “to describe a specific open-end- ed personal and cultural inquiry.” Neutrontrail.com is a website found- ed by Olivia Fermi and features a col- lection of photography, videos and sto- ries aimed at promoting understanding and awareness of nuclear issues. On Monday, the students watched Olivia Fermi’s multimedia presentation aimed at promoting understanding, creativity and new solutions. “It was really interactive,” said Alex Hillman, a student in the program. “T thought some of the techniques she used were more engaging than those I get in most seminars.” The students have been assigned by their instructor, Catherine Levinson, to tell a story or create a game that show- cases a dilemma of the Neutron Trail. The dilemmas of the Neutron Trail are expansive and feature topics such as how radioactive isotopes travel around the world by air and water, to end up being consumed by dairy cows. The concern is that these isotopes end up in the dairy products we eat. The purpose of the assignment is to delve more deeply into multimedia and animation and its power to influence and inform. 66 “T thought the techniques she I thoug ht was using were re- the tech- ally neat. [ll defi- niques nitely use more photography in she used my work in the fu- were more ture,” said Hill- . man. engaging Olivia Fermi is than those inspired by the ca- . reer of her grand- I getin mi, an author and AYECHLLMAN most semi- > tudent activist. 5 nars Those interest- Alex Hillman ed in adding their voice to the Neutron Trail are invited to comment on Olivia Fermi’s blogs and posts at neutrontrail.com. WARREN JANE photo Principal Jacquie Hall of J.W. Sexsmith Elementary, which faces the prospect of demolition in light of the new school’s completion. Heritage building faces bulldozer School board might demolish 100-year- old heritage building By WARREN JANE is facing an uncertain future. Located immediately southeast of Langara Golf Course, Sexsmith re- quires costly seismic upgrades as part of the Vancouver School Board’s new plans to make all schools earthquake- proof. If Sexsmith isn’t upgraded, it could face demolition. The VSB is considering offers to lease the property and redevelop it. It was more cost effective to build a Ji Sexsmith Elementary School new school than to upgrade the old one, said VSB chairwoman Patti Bac- chus. The VSB is now building a new school next to the heritage structure. As it nears completion, the school board is inviting bids from developers willing to upgrade the school and con- vert it for residential or commercial purposes. “T think if they built some housing on that piece of land, it could be a more af- fordable place for families to stay in Vancouver,” said Sexsmith principal VANCOUVER'S MOST ENDANGERED HERITAGE BUILDINGS WHICH BUILDINGS ARE FACING THE ‘DOZER? 1. MAIN POST OFFICE 349 West Georgia Street 2. THE ART DECO HOLLYWOOD THEATRE 3123 West Broadway BUILDING 3. ST. PAUL'S HOSPITAL: THE HISTORIC BURRARD Jacquie Hall. Hall said she supported the decision of some parents who withdrew their children from the school for fear of an earthquake. She’s relieved that every- one is in a safe building now. There have been no serious offers yet, and the possibility of demolition is increasing. Because of the school’s historical value, “Heritage Vancouver would be extremely opposed to this unfortunate event,” said president of the orgniza- tion Donald Luxton. 5. STRATHCONA NORTH 502 Alexander Street Burrard Street at Comox 7950 Victoria Drive 4. SIR JAMES DOUGLAS ELEMENTARY 6. SHAUGHNESSY Historic mansions on First and Second Shaughnessy Source: Vancouver Heritage Society Committee searches for new president Staff and student represen- tatives will meet Feb. 5 to discuss qualifications for potential candidates By KAYLA ISOMURA dent David Ross’ position. A committee has been formed to find a replacement for the outgoing president. It will meet on Feb. 5 to dis- cuss qualifications for potential candi- dates, said Korena Jang, manager of Langara’s executive and board opera- tions. The committee is comprised of representatives és Lis: is scrambling to fill presi- from the faculty, staff, college man- agers and the stu- Anyone dent body. The committee who can will discuss its get plans to find a new > president, which everyone's includes determin. gttention ing the eligibility of . . a candidate. is going to The committee be a pretty will also have the help of an execu- 9 ood lead- tive search firm to er help with the pro- cess. David Bowra, the committee chair, will bring a list of firms to the meeting that specialize in hiring ad- ministrative employees, said Jang. While the committee still needs to organize a list of qualifications for job candidates, staff and students told The Voice about their expectations of a col- lege president. A good candidate must be able to capture the attention of students, said sociology student Jana Koerner. “Tt’s like herding cats here,” she said. “Anyone who can get everyone’s atten- tion is going to be a pretty good lead- er.” Jana Koerner “A good presidential candidate would be someone who’s outgoing, someone who forms relationships in the community,” said Raymond Chow, the continuing studies co-ordinator. “Dr. Ross did that in his tenure and he did a really good job. He left Langara in a good position.” Ross notified the college of his resig- nation in December, although he will continue to work until March 1. He has accepted the presidency at SAIT Poly- technic in Calgary. ‘HANDOUT photo Former president David Ross.