Events

Keep up to date on all the details of EDUCT's forthcoming events.

EDUCT Outing to the McMichael Gallery

WhenSunday 19 October 2025, 11.30am
WhereMcMichael Canadian Art Collection, 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg
DetailsWe are taking advantage of the free admission on this Sunday to socialize over lunch, chat while walking the grounds to enjoy the Fall colours, and to see whichever exhibits you prefer, at your pace. Later, visit the main street of Kleinburg and pick up some butter tarts! We start with the lunch at 11:30 a.m. The first 25 to register are guaranteed a lunch spot.
Cost There is no EDUCT fee. Parking is $7, lunch is your choice
InfoJenna Shelley, jenna.ks@gmail.com, 416-816-5997 

Learning What’s Possible: The Philosophy and Public
Mission of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study
Laboratory School

WhenSunday 16 November 2025, 2pm
WhereThe Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, 45 Walmer Road, Toronto 
DetailsRichard Messina, Principal of the School, will introduce us to the history of the School, now celebrating its 100th anniversary, the context within which it operates as a laboratory school within the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, its philosophy of childhood education and development, features of its curriculum and its operation and how they differ from the traditional model of education, its notable contributions to the advancement of education in other schools and universities and, more generally, its contributions to society. Following the talk, there will be a tour of the school and playground to enable us to see how the design of the School’s spaces exemplify its philosophy and understanding of how children learn best. As we tour, Mr. Messina will answer questions. Mr. Messina, who has served as the Principal of the School since 2015, was formerly a teacher within the School and, prior to that, a public school teacher. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto, and is currently an OISE doctoral student. Two of his daughters, who attended the School, are graduates of the University of Edinburgh.
CostThere is no charge for this event
InfoSimon Miles, simon-miles@sympatico.ca, 416-466-8793

EDUCT Wine Tasting

WhenThursday 4 December 2025, 7pm
WhereParty Room, 1177 Yonge Street, Toronto.
Use entrance on Summerhill Avenue, on north side of building.
DetailsThis event is still in the planning stages. A sommelier will take us on a tour of a sample of a country’s wines. Cheeses to complement the wines will be at hand.
CostTBA but likely $50 for members & guests; $55 for non-member alumni & guests
InfoPaul Bradley, pauljfrbradley@gmail.com, 416-464-9771

The 2026 Burns Nightcap

WhenThursday 22 January 2026, 6.30pm-10pm (two days before Burns) 
Where

The Duke of Kent, 2315 Yonge St, Toronto

On Yonge Street, east side, at Roehampton Avenue, just north of Eglinton Avenue East. Parking underground across Yonge, or surface lot on Roehampton. 

DetailsAll are part of the entertainment. Start thinking about what you could perform!
CostTBA but likely Members & Guests:$55 / Non-Members & Guests $60
InfoSimon Miles, simon-miles@sympatico.ca, 416-826-6655

Solar Energy: Why we need more; how to get it; and the implications for individuals and society 

WhenSunday 1 March 2026, 12pm
WhereOnline (Zoom)
Details

Our speakers are Professor Neil Robertson, Head of Inorganic Chemistry, and Dr. Arno Verhoeven, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Design, and ECA Director of Sustainable Development, University of Edinburgh. The backdrop to their talk is familiar: if the world is to remain livable, all countries have to intensify their efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Currently, about 17% of global energy is derived from renewable sources. The speakers will argue that we should be looking to solar power to be the most reliable of those renewable sources for providing much of the world with the energy it needs over the long term. They will cover the development of solar energy to date and possible future trends, including discussion of the key technologies involved, and what it will take to realize a sustainable and equitable society, while providing the energy needed.

The talk should enable EDUCT members to be in a stronger position to assess Canada's plans to become an energy superpower. While those plans have yet to be fleshed out, they will presumably be designed to enable Canada to attract manufacturing and services that are major consumers of energy, and to export energy. But to the extent that such domestically generated energy or exported
energy is derived from coal, oil and natural gas, it will still be contributing to the continuing rise in emissions of GHGs. If Canada is to contribute to a rapid lowering of global GHGs, it should be giving farmore attention to how it can help the world, including Canada, to move to renewables and, in particular, solar energy.

Cost $5 for members and guests; $10 for non-member alumni
InfoSimon Miles, simon-miles@sympatico.ca, 416-466-8793

EDUCT Annual Dinner

WhenFriday 17 April 2026, 6.30pm
WhereThe Great Hall, The Arts & Letters Club, 14 Elm Street, Toronto
DetailsProfessor David J. Argyle, William Dick Chair of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Vice Principal, and Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, will be our after-dinner speaker. Dr Argyle’s theme will be 300 years of Medicine at Edinburgh: past landmark achievements; recent breakthroughs; and current challenges. 2026 is a major landmark date for the University of Edinburgh, as it marks 300 years of the Edinburgh Medical School and is thus an excellent time to reflect on its place in the world, the impact that it has had, and the vision for the future. Dr. Argyle will look back to the beginning and the rise of the Medical School, and the benefits of being part of a civic university rather than onethat was heavily influenced by religion. This allowed medical advancement at a pace, through anatomy and comparative anatomy. He will touch on many of the characters who have played a major role, such as Lister and Simpson in earlier times, through to more contemporary times and the impact of people like John Crofton in tuberculosis and Iain Wilmut and the impact of Dolly the Sheep on modern day regenerative medicine. This will also tie into the School’s close links across comparative medicine and the 200 year old vet school intertwined with medicine. And he will articulate the School’s future vision, the growth of the health innovation campus at Bioquarter, the building of a new medical school fit for 21st century medical education, and how the School is tackling the major challenges that face humanity both locally and globally.

 
Cost TBA but likely Members & Guests:$110 / Non-Members & Guests $115
InfoSimon Miles, simon-miles@sympatico.ca, 416-466-8793

Annual General Meeting 

WhenSunday 31 May 2026, 1pm 
WhereLocation TBA (Likely on Zoom)
DetailsThere is no charge for the AGM
InfoAnna Voineskos, avoineskos@bell.net, 416-826-6655