Make your own slime. Write a secret message with invisible ink. Test your knowledge of chemistry by identifying various compounds by their appearance or smell – then learn about their structure. Find out what elements are and how they fit into the Periodic Table of the Elements. Watch popcorn dance. Check out the electromagnet demonstration.
These are just a few of the unusual and highly entertaining activities available to Guelph area residents on May 7 as Science Rendezvous (SR), Ontario’s largest public science festival, kicks off its fourth year.
This free, grass-roots festival, targeted to all age groups, strives to de-mystify science and make it more accessible to thousands of people across the province with a day of engaging, informative and interactive events.
From chemistry to astronomy and physics to forensics, Science Rendezvous has something for everyone. Hospital Research Institutes will be opening their doors and universities offering lab tours, demonstrations and hands-on activities. There will be active street events and science inspired art. Check out the creative adult science fairs and “Let’s Talk Science” sessions. Take part in the demonstrations at shopping malls and farmer’s markets. Throughout the day, science champions from across the province will be taking their passions to the people.
In Guelph, activities will be taking place at Stone Road Mall (435 Stone Road) between 10am and 4pm.
Experience a variety of science activities that are fun for “kids” of all ages. Ever wanted to make your own slime? Now’s your chance. Use your nose to identify different chemical compounds and then see what their chemical structure looks like. Write a secret message with invisible ink and then make it magically appear.
How much do you really know about common chemicals? Find out by identifying them by their appearance. In addition, learn how to make a homemade battery; watch popcorn dance; and check out the electromagnet demonstration.
With the help of Scientists in School, all of these activities and more will be part of Malls of Science at Stone Road Mall.
“Science Rendezvous is a day long science festival with real researchers, professors and their students interacting with the public,” explains Dr. Ronald E. Pearlman, Director, Science Rendezvous Ontario.
“Our overall goal is to engage people in the scientific world by offering all kinds of interesting and unusual activities that they can participate in. And in doing so, we hope to encourage a better understanding of the great impact that science and technology has on our lives and changing world.”
Initiated in the Greater Toronto Area in 2008, Science Rendezvous has grown to involve more than 2,000 volunteers at 300 events in cities from Windsor to Ottawa. Science Rendezvous continues to develop collaborative partnerships between educational, civic, science-based associations and outreach programs and business institutions to promote science awareness as well as science culture and literacy.
This year SR activities will be integrated with events held across the country celebrating the International Year of Chemistry (IYC), establishing a national presence for the festival.
