01
Elected executive
Six student officers are elected by members each spring to run the club's day-to-day operations.
About PAMA
A wider sky for the Physics Club.
A student-run community for anyone who finds the universe — and the mathematics that describes it — worth wondering about.
Cosmic Cliffs · Carina Nebula (NGC 3324) — NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI
01Our story
Same curiosity.
New orbit.
For years, the University of Lethbridge Physics Club was a small, devoted group of majors who met to argue about thought experiments, watch science-fiction films and take telescopes out on clear nights.
As more astronomy and mathematics students found their way to those meetings, the name stopped fitting the people in the room. In 2025 the members voted to become the Physics, Astronomy & Mathematics Association — keeping everything that worked, and opening the door wider.
Today PAMA is a non-profit, student-run club. We organise talks, observing nights, study support, workshops and socials, and we try to make the physical and mathematical sciences welcoming to everyone — from the first-year who isn't sure about their major to the graduate student finishing a thesis.
Placeholder history — to be confirmed by the executive
02What we do
To equip students with the skills, resources and community to thrive as future scientists — and to share the wonder of it with everyone else.
01
Talks & colloquia
Faculty, graduate students and guest speakers on the questions at the edge of what we know — pitched for curious undergraduates.
02
Observing nights
Club telescopes, dark coulee skies and experienced observers to show you where to look. Beginners especially welcome.
03
Study sessions
Peer-led help for first- and second-year physics, astronomy and math courses, from upper-years who remember exactly where it gets hard.
04
Workshops
Practical skills the curriculum skims: Python, LaTeX, data analysis, scientific writing and presenting your work.
05
Research & careers
Panels, lab tours and advice on summer research, graduate school and the many careers a quantitative degree opens up.
06
Community
Film nights, socials, competitions and outreach — because the best ideas usually start over pizza.
03Values
What we
hold constant.
Four principles guide how we run events, make decisions and treat each other.
Curiosity
Every question is a good question. We'd rather explore a half-formed idea together than pretend we already understand.
Honesty
Good science shows its error bars. We're open about what we know, what we don't, and how club decisions and funds are handled.
Inclusion
The union of everyone. Our events are open to all students, programs, backgrounds and levels of experience.
Community
The sum is greater than its parts. We look after each other — academically, and otherwise.
04Timeline
A short
world-line.
Early years
The Physics Club forms
A handful of physics majors start meeting informally to discuss problems, share notes and look through telescopes.
A tradition
Cosmic Cinema begins
Film nights with a short science talk become the club's best-loved event — and still are.
2025
Members vote to expand
With growing interest from astronomy and mathematics students, the membership agrees to broaden the club's scope and name.
2026 — Now
PAMA is born
Ratified as a student club, with its first elected executive and a graduate advisory board.
Next
Your idea here
A lecture series, an outreach program, a research symposium? Tell us what you'd like to build.
Placeholder milestones
05How we're run
Student-led,
openly governed.
02
Graduate advisors
MSc candidates offer academic mentorship and help the executive plan and deliver events.
03
Ratified club
PAMA operates under the Students' Union club policies, with two signing authorities on all finances.
04
Open constitution
Our constitution and meeting minutes are available to every member. (Document coming soon.)
06Code of conduct
A safe place
to be curious.
Everyone at a PAMA event — members, guests, speakers and executives — agrees to a few simple things.
- Be respectful. Critique ideas, never people. Harassment and discrimination of any kind are not tolerated.
- Make room. Invite quieter voices in, and remember that every expert was once a beginner.
- Look out for each other. Especially at night-time observing sessions and off-campus trips.
- Speak up. If something feels wrong, tell any executive member — in person or by message — and we will act on it confidentially.