University of Calgary

Dr. Lynne's blog

Thirty Schulich School of Engineering students are spending the month of May in Chania, Crete with civil engineering professor Lynne Cowe Falls studying a core math class (ENGG407) and a special course titled "By the Way of the Labyrinth, The Minoans as Engineers, Architects and Merchants."


Taught by Dr. Caterina Pizanias, aka Dr. Cat, the latter course will have the students on archeological sites across the island learning that water distribution systems and earthquake engineering existed long before electric pumps and shaker tables. The program is presented in conjunction with the Centre for International Students and Study Abroad (CISSA).

Join us as we take the students back to the future!

Magic Moments, Part 2: An evening with the Canadian ambassador

Submitted by Dr. Lynne on Thu, 2009-05-21 09:39.

May 21, 2009


Excitement was high at the Sissy Village yesterday as we readied for an evening with the Canadian Ambassador plus other dignitaries and supporters of the program. Dr. Cat’s planning and diplomatic negotiations had been going on for weeks and I further ramped up the excitement with a pizza meeting on Tuesday night at Bella Pizza where we briefed everyone on the evening’s program, guest list, what to wear (or not to wear), how to address an ambassador, what not to do, say etc.

Neolithic Cave and the Gorge at Gouverneto

Submitted by Dr. Lynne on Wed, 2009-05-13 10:51.

May 13, 2008


With the intense school schedule that two courses in four weeks brings, plus weekend field trips, we have found over the years that there is very little downtime to enjoy Crete and so this year we have not scheduled classes on Wednesdays.

Memorable Moments: Part 1

Submitted by Dr. Lynne on Wed, 2009-05-13 10:45.

May 12, 2008

After a very hot day at Kommos, we retreated to Agia Galini and the cool waters of the Libyan Sea for some sun, swimming and a cold BEvERage to get rid of the saltwater taste in our mouths (well, my mouth for sure).

Agia Galini, Kommos and Phaistos

Submitted by Dr. Lynne on Mon, 2009-05-11 12:53.

May 11, 2009

We decamped from the Cretan Sea shore on Friday afternoon for two days on the shore of the Libyan Sea. Living in Canada it is easy to forget how distances can soon add up and a four, eight or twelve hour drive between cities is more the norm than the exception – in Crete, we climbed up to the Lefka Ori and then descended sharp turns and hairpins into Agia Galini a post-war village hugging a tightAgia Galini hotel: Students liked the terraced balconiesAgia Galini hotel: Students liked the terraced balconies little valley and cove.

Sunny day, narrow streets

Submitted by Dr. Lynne on Wed, 2009-05-06 12:26.

May 6, 2009

After two days of rain and cool weather, we were all delighted to awake to a glorious Cretan blue sky and warm weather. Today was our first field trip and the level of excitement was high as we boarded our bus for the centre of the island.

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