Shawn Lewenza, a professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Athabasca University, has developed a patent-pending technology that could revolutionize the way oil sands companies monitor contaminants in tailings ponds. The technology could ultimately improve the process of cleaning up this wastewater.

Jason Pounall jokes that “old people” shouldn’t go back to school. “These young adults in my classes, they’re quick. They keep me on my toes,” he says through…