Upcoming STEAM Events in Calgary | Creative Science Alliance

Past events

the art of scientific subtraction (2026)

Our flagship science communication workshop, The Art of Scientific Subtraction, held for the Veterinary Medicine Graduate Students' Association (VMGSA) at the University of Calgary. Zine Kits were designed, personalized, and created by Nicole Gruszecki. You can check out Nicole's website here : https://nicolegruszecki.myportfolio.com/

Zine making for science communication (2026)

Kate Beck, a YYC-based artist and zine-maker, facilitated a zine making workshop for the fellows in the Science Communication Fellowship in Reimann Gardens, Ames, Iowa. This was an online workshop, where fellows learned how to utilize the zine format to communicate their research. You can check out Kate's portfolio here : https://www.katerbeck.com/ . Zine Kits were designed, personalized, and created by Nicole Gruszecki.

Video call screenshot showing Viraj Muthye, Kate, and a workshop participant during the online zine-making for science communication session

Completed zine panel showing hand-drawn plants, collaged text reading "good" and "EEK don't", and a photo of a cat -- a participant's science communication zine about pet-safe plants

Handmade science communication zine with colourful painted text reading "Meet You" on a white panel

The art of Scientific subtraction (2026)

The inaugural edition of our flagship science communication workshop, The Art of Scientific Subtraction, held at the Graduate College at the University of Calgary. Zine Kits were designed, personalized, and created by Nicole Gruszecki. You can check out Nicole's website here : https://nicolegruszecki.myportfolio.com/

Nicole standing behind a table stacked with Little Goods zine kits that she created, markers, crayons, and stickers, set up for the Art of Scientific Subtraction workshop at the University of Calgary

Projected slide in a lecture hall showing the 8-panel zine framework used in CSA's Art of Scientific Subtraction workshop, titled "The Zine -- 8 Panels"

Box of five Little Goods zine-making kits stacked on a table, with crayons and pencil sharpeners in the background

Viraj Muthye presenting the Art of Scientific Subtraction workshop to a room of graduate students at the University of Calgary, with a scoring rubric projected on screen

Participants seated at long workshop tables working on zine activities during the Art of Scientific Subtraction session at the UCalgary Collision Space

Calgary On PurPOSe (2026)

Creating connections is at the core of all CSA activities. This includes connecting people to their neighbourhoods, their cities, their provinces, and their country. At Calgary on Purpose, CSA organized an activity where we encouraged attendees to share their thoughts, memories, and stories about Calgary. We provided them prompts as well to encourage responses. CSA will be, now, creating a zine from these responses as a way to capture a snapshot of an interesting and inspiring evening in the city.

Viraj Muthye and Tisha standing together at a CSA community outreach table inside Contemporary Calgary

CSA facilitator Tisha helping participants at a community event table inside Contemporary Calgary.

TEDx Calgary (2025)

CSA was an interaction-partner at TEDxCalgary 2025. Here, we introduced our organization and our philosophy through various activities, including zine-making and microscopy.

CSA team member Nathan speaking with an attendee at the TEDx Calgary outreach table

Calgary Treasure Hunt and Max the Mysterious Myxozoan zine printouts on a black cloth table

SUNalta under the lens (2025)

Sunalta Under the Lens invited children and families to explore their own neighbourhood through portable microscopes. Participants examined plants, insects, and everyday materials up close, discovering that science and biodiversity exist all around them. The event encouraged curiosity about local ecosystems while strengthening connections between community and environment.

Tisha demonstrating the use of FoldScopes to two children.

Viraj demonstrating the use of FoldScopes to a child.

A poster for the Sunalta Under the Lens event.

Viraj is demonstrating how to use a Folscope to two families.

vivo summer camps - water wonders (2025)

CSA designed and facilitated STEAM camps at Vivo for Healthier Generations, where children explored science through hands-on activities, creativity, and experimentation. In 2025, CSA organized camps under the theme “Water Wonders”.

Worksheet of one of the attendees of the Water Wonders Camp.

My Water Wonder Journal - two lying next to each other,

Three Foldscope kits kept to each other.

FISHTIVAL (2025) at the Bow Habitat station, in partnership with the host-parasite interactions group at the university of calgary

CSA partnered with the Host-Parasite Interactions Group from the University of Calgary to host an information and activity booth at Fishtival 2025 and 2026 at the Bow Habitat Station. Both events were attended by 1,000+ attendees each!

Viraj Muthye speaking with attendees at the CSA booth at Fishtival 2025, Bow Habitat Station

Three zines on a black clothed table. The zine has an image of a myxozoan on it, and reads "Max the Mysterious Myxozoan"

Close-up of a fish specimen or display at the Fishtival 2025 event at the Bow Habitat Station

Participants playing a CSA-designed science game at Fishtival 2025

VIVO summer camps (2024)

CSA designed and facilitated STEAM camps at Vivo for Healthier Generations, where children explored science through hands-on activities, creativity, and experimentation. Activities included nature walks, inspecting pond water under the microscope, art activities, and more!

Color pencils, crayons, and stickers on a desk. There are also pens and a sketch pad.