science

Tecterra

Tecterra is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Tecterra rather than just read about it. In short: Tecterra, usually written as TECTERRA or TECTERRA Inc., is a Canadian geomatics technology innovation support centre. Established in June 2010 as a non-profit organization, Tecterra assists geomatics technology companies across Alberta to achieve commercial success faster than they can on their own.

Key takeaways

Tecterra belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Tecterra to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Tecterra from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Tecterra, usually written as TECTERRA or TECTERRA Inc., is a Canadian geomatics technology innovation support centre. Established in June 2010 as a non-profit organization, Tecterra assists geomatics technology companies across Alberta to achieve commercial success faster than they can on their own. With current funding from the Government of Alberta, Tecterra is focused on investing in geomatics innovation for resource management and other markets. The organization's funding model is unique, as support for companies does not require intellectual property ownership or corporate equity in exchange for funds.

History Beginning operations in 2010, Tecterra was created in collaboration with the Alberta government to better utilize the natural resources in Alberta through the commercialization of geomatics technology. Tecterra's goal is to create prosperity through innovation, where innovation is the tangible value gained from the use of technology in everyday life. Tecterra's funding sources have included: Western Economic Diversification Canada, Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures, and the Government of Canada - Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research.

Programs Tecterra supports companies through funding and support programs. Companies are invited to apply to their programs at any time, and an internal review process is conducted alongside Tecterra's advisory committees. Programs include:

Industry Investment Program (IND) The Industry Investment Program enables and supports small to medium size Alberta geomatics companies in the development and commercialization of innovative geomatics solutions for integrated resource management. Funding is focused on solutions for energy, forestry, agriculture, environment, land management and land development. Companies that apply under this program are eligible to receive from $150,000 to $500,000 in matching contribution. Funding is provided as an interest free loan repayable only after commercial success. Qualifying companies fit the following criteria

A for-profit company Incorporated and operating in Alberta Minimum of one and no more than 500 full-time employees Annual sales revenue ordinarily not exceeding $50 million

Commercialization Support Services Program (CSS) The Commercialization Support Services program provides funds assisting Alberta geomatics entrepreneurs and companies in the implementation of best-practice techniques in the development, management and growth of their business. Tecterra provides necessary funding in order for companies to work with industry experts such as marketing, accounting, IP management, and business development to ensure that companies grow the appropriate business capacity and become self-sufficient. The CSS program provides up to $50,000 towards eligible costs in one calendar year per applicant. The company is responsible for repaying 25% of the funding provided at project completion. The program focuses on small businesses or individual entrepreneurs who may have the technical knowledge to develop a product, but lack the skills necessary in order to successfully run a business.

GEO-Placement Program (GEO) The GEO-Placement Funding Program is designed to create economic value for small companies in Alberta by facilitating the engagement and employment of highly qualified technical and business geomatics personnel. The grant reimburses companies up to 50% of the employees salary for the first year, up to $50,000. Moving costs are covered to a max of $10,000 if the employee is moving to Alberta from another province. Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant.

Tradeshow Attendance Program (TAP) The Tradeshow Attendance Program is designed to assist Alberta geomatics companies and entrepreneurs attend relevant industry events, conferences and trade shows in support of the commercialization of their products and technology. The program provides up to 100% of event registration costs, three nights of hotels costs, and other eligible costs up to $20,000 and two separate events. Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant.

Geomatics Lab Tecterra's Geomatics Lab provides geomatics equipment for use by Alberta companies and those engaging in applied R&D programs. Equipment is available to borrow at no cost for portfolio companies, and to rent at a subsidized rate for non-portfolio companies.

Events

Tecterra Showcase The Tecterra Geomatics Showcase is the organization's main event that takes place annually in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Their most recent Showcase, held at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre on June 24, 2015, featured more than 60 portfolio companies and four university applied research projects, with keynote speaker, Nolan Bushnell, world renowned entrepreneur and founder of Atari Inc. Michelle Rempel, former Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification Canada, was also in attendance and provided a speech. More than 500 geomatics and industry professionals were in attendance, marking this as the organization's biggest event to date.

Economic impact Since June 2010, Tecterra has committed over $33.9 million to geomatics companies and applied research groups for innovative geomatics technology and commercialization, training and new job creation across Alberta and Canada. This amount has been matched with $23.3 million in private investments. To date, the organization has generated over $145 million in actual economic impact on the Canadian economy, with a projection to grow to over $300 million in the next five years. Highlights from Tecterra's economic impact include:

Tecterra has funded private and government programs such as Avalanche Canada and Blackbridge Geomatics. Tecterra has in the past, funded university projects and also provided scholarships for students in the geomatics sector.

International relations In 2014, members of Tecterra were invited by the Consulate General of France in Vancouver to visit several technology institutions in France. These included: the University of Avignon - UMR Espace and Laboratoire Souterrain à Bas Bruit, TERINOV Cluster, and the National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture. The purpose of the visit was to establish relations between technology partners in France and Canada, and discover possible collaborations and technology transfers between the two countries.

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Tecterra

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Tecterra claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Tecterra before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Tecterra ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Tecterra

In research: Tecterra appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Tecterra in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Tecterra is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Geographic data and information companies, Geomatics organizations, Non-profit organizations based in Alberta, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Tecterra outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Tecterra in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Tecterra means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Tecterra out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Tecterra in simple terms?

Why does Tecterra matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Tecterra?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Tecterra.