Science For

Happy Hamilton Day (16 October)!!

On 16 October 1843, Irish mathematician William Rowan Hamilton MRIA and his wife Helen were walking along the banks of the Royal Canal from Dunsink Observatory on their way to the Royal Irish Academy.

At Broome Bridge, William had a eureka moment and came up with a new algebra he called quaternions. So excited was he by his discovery, he scratched the fundamental formula i² = j² = k² = ijk = −1 onto the bridge with his penknife. His quaternions revolutionised algebra and would later help to put a man on the moon and be used for CGI in movies.

Hamilton Day on 16 October is commemorated annually by the Royal Irish Academy through an award ceremony that recognises the most gifted third level mathematics students in Ireland. An internationally renowned speaker is invited each year and gives the Hamilton Lecture and also a masterclass for the prize winners.

NEW DATE - Science For Seniors FREE Nature Assessments workshop.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at Douglas Park Community Centre. Please register through the community centre.

THANK YOU to DPCC and the Neighbourhood Small Grants (Central Vancouver) for making these workshops possible!

NEW DATE - Science For Seniors FREE Meet the Trees workshop.

Wednesday, November 05, 2025 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at Douglas Park Community Centre. Please register through the community centre.

THANK YOU to DPCC and the Neighbourhood Small Grants (Central Vancouver) for making these workshops possible!

NEW DATE - Science For Seniors FREE Oil Spill Clean-Up workshop.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 10 AM to 11:30 AM at Douglas Park Community Centre. Please register through the community centre.

THANK YOU to DPCC and the Neighbourhood Small Grants (Central Vancouver) for making these workshops possible!