This weekend is Beakerhead in Calgary. For those unaware, now in its 12th year, Beakerhead is the second largest STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) event in the World. If you have been in Calgary in past Septembers you may have seen some of the art installations around town (giant octopus tentacles creeping out of a building, another building covered with balloons, a series of seesaws that emit different tones as you go up and down to create music (if you are so inclined) and so much more.

We often think of the “hard sciences” as different from rest of the University disciplines, but in the “real world” you cannot get by with any singular skill. You may be the best physicist, but without creative writing skills you won’t be able to excite the people who will invest in your research. You may be an amazing researcher, but how will you communicate your findings without some form of marketing. And if you are an amazing artist, it helps pay the bills when you exercise your skills in the marketing department.

Success in the real world comes when people work together. A diverse team brings a combination of skills and perspectives that creates an outcome exceeding the abilities of any one person. We may think of diversity as defined by gender or ethnicity, but it is the unique experiences that shape our perspectives and develop our skills. You want a team that not only makes room for different individuals, but provides an environment that allows them to thrive. When it works, it is magical — just like Beakerhead.

If you have a chance, check out the Beakerhead experience this weekend. It is an immersive experience that showcases the magic that happens when a bunch of enthusiastic and creative individuals are given an environment to thrive.