2 of 8

Acknowledgements

Dalhousie University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi`kmaq. We are all treaty people.

We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi’kma’ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.

6 June 2024

There are three key components to the statement. The first is particular acknowledgement that the land Dalhousie sits on is part of Mi’kma’ki, the territory of the L’nu’k. The second is the acknowledgement of the territory as both ancestral and unceded — recognizing that the Peace and Friendship treaties signed between the British Crown and the Mi’kmaq (unlike many other historic treaties in Canada) did not involve surrender of land. Finally, “We are all Treaty people” reflects that the Peace and Friendship treaties apply to all parties involved, Indigenous and settler alike.

Having resided in the region for over 400 years, African Nova Scotian contributions to Nova Scotia and Canada began over 150 years before Canada became a country. African Nova Scotians came to the province through enslavement or through fleeing enslavement elsewhere, and continue to experience all manner of structural, systemic and individual discrimination. Until 1961, more than half of all Black people in Canada were African Nova Scotian. The Province of Nova Scotia identifies African Nova Scotians as a founding culture.

3 of 8

Agenda

Moonshot projects
Why and how to consider them
A journey and great examples
Lessons and learnings

CANHEIT 2024 – Image: Alex Andrews, pexels.com

6 June 2024

Why are we here?

…and will I stay?

4 of 8

Moonshot projects

YouTube.com/�@SmarterEveryday

CANHEIT 2024 - https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19720005243/downloads/19720005243.pdf

6 June 2024

"Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you'll lang among the stars" is a famous quote first said by Norman Vincent Peale.

Discuss briefly what is a moonshot project, and recent opportunity for the discussion at NASA

If you aim for the moon and miss at least you will end up among the stars… in the vacuum of space adrift and alone?

So why attempt a moonshot project? A moonshot project is an ambitious or exploratory project undertaken without any expectation of near-term benefit. It has the potential for creating significant value and impact but has a lower likelihood of success. Moonshot projects drive innovation, ignite creativity, and increase collaboration among teams. They can also help organizations stay ahead of the curve by anticipating future trends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoJsPvmFixU&t=2107s&ab_channel=SmarterEveryDay

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19720005243/downloads/19720005243.pdf

SP 287 Learnings:�

KISS
Increased Communication
Focus on the mission, not the technology

5 of 8

Risk & Reward

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

CANHEIT 2024

6 June 2024

Discuss the general journey, project risks, …

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained”

Questions and considerations:

Is the organization ready for the change and is it required?
How risk averse is your organization and does the project serve the mission?
What is the pain vs the ROI for the level of risk?

Investments in technology that does not underpin academia, is it worth it?

Is it the right time?

Is the technology / process mature?
Find the right partners

Ensure there is understanding of the commitment of funds, now and future
Ensure strong, consistent, and frequent communication across the organization

Where it worked well in Higher Ed

Canarie – National network led by the few by with great vision
CanSSOC – a few institutions took a leap of faith
Digital Alliance ( over the iterations ) for compute
Other

Medical advances and cures such as insulin
Social progress such as adopting and championing Truth and Reconciliation efforts
Others ( ? )

6 of 8

Keep moving forward…

CANHEIT 2024

6 June 2024

When a moonshot project goes off the rails, it can be a daunting experience. Here are some steps that can help you get back on track:

Assess the situation: Take a step back and evaluate the situation and the impact it has on the project.
Revisit the project plan: Review the project plan and identify areas that need to be revised.
Communicate with stakeholders: Keep all stakeholders informed about the situation. Be transparent about the process.
Re-prioritize tasks: Focus on the most critical tasks first.
Take corrective action: Take corrective action to address the issues. This may involve revising the project plan, re-allocating resources, or making changes to the team.
Monitor progress: Make adjustments as needed to keep the project moving forward.

"Don't focus on the tech focus on the mission" - Destin

7 of 8

Key Takeaways

Shoot for the stars … where appropriate

KISS
Communicate often and broadly
Focus on mission, not the technology

Where possible look at the mission differently
In a world of talkers, be a thinker and a doer
Ask the hard questions

Fail fast
Make your next move based on new data

Have fun along the way

CANHEIT 2024

6 June 2024

1 of 8

2 of 8

3 of 8

4 of 8

5 of 8

6 of 8

7 of 8

8 of 8