Science Rendezvous invites the public to a Rendezvous with Science! May 12th 2012

TORONTO, ON – An extreme scavenger hunt style Science Chase, exploding fruit, Sumo Robot wrestling, live animals, and flame tornadoes – this is not a regular day in the city, it’s the country’s largest interactive science festival: Science Rendezvous!On Saturday, May 12th 2012 Science Rendezvous opens the doors of over $5B in science infrastructure across the country, allowing unprecedented public access to cutting edge research labs, as well as interactive experiments and activities for all ages and intellects. From the chemistry of ice-cream to the physics of rock and roll, Science Rendezvous has something for everyone.

 

Founded in 2008 with the mission of making science accessible to the general public in a capacity that reinforces the fun and creativity of the field, the Science Rendezvous festival has steadily grown to become the single largest public engagement with science in the country. Over 100,000 participants are expected to attend this year’s festival, setting a new national standard for science outreach and youth engagement.

 

As founder and Chairman of the Board, Professor R. J. Dwayne Miller says, “getting young people involved and interested in science at an early age is critical to maintaining that passion throughout their careers and stimulating the growth of Canada’s knowledge-based economy through  R&D,  development  of  highly  qualified  people  for  the  high-tech  sector,  and  new company startups.”

 

Science Rendezvous does just that. The national festival is run by a base of 4,000 youth volunteers and 2,000 university faculty, researchers, and scientists that present the hands-on demonstrations and experiments, which are specifically design to captivate a young audience and inspire the next generation of Canadian scientists.

For the first time, all three of Canada’s top universities have come together to collaboratively support Science Rendezvous and promote the importance of science to society.

Also, new to the May 12th  2012 festival are over 300 events across 40 locations, spanning 8 provinces; and the largest venue to date: Toronto’s Yonge & Dundas Square. Host of CBC’s Quirk & Quarks, Bob McDonald will emcee the Dundas Square activities, which include a fire show, sumo robot wrestling, the Mars Rover, as well as the Human Gyroscope developed by NASA, exploding fruit, and a fire tornado at various other Science Rendezvous locations.

Attendees will have a chance to get their hands on science with over 10,000 demos and exhibitions. Scientists and researchers from thirty of Canada’s top universities and research institutions will be on hand to answer your science questions and present explosive experiments!

FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: Walk on Water

It’s true! If you believe in science you can walk on water! Walk across a non-Newtonian Fluid Pool at Yonge & Dundas Square and many other Science Rendezvous event sites across the GTA, but be careful: go too slowly and you’ll sink!

Real-Life Crime Scene Investigation

Participants will use DNA and blood splatter analysis to solve a simulated crime scene! Move over Dexter and CSI, Science Rendezvous is taking over! Discover the exciting science of forensics at the University of Toronto Mississauga and UOIT sites.

Robot Mania!

The Sumo Robots are back! From Yonge-Dundas Square, in the heart of Toronto, Science Rendezvous presents Canada’s grittiest machine-vs-machine combat! Watch our competitors demolish their way to victory, or get in on the action yourself and play one-on-one basketball against a robot free-throw champion at the University of Windsor! What else were you going to do with your Saturday?

Science Rendezvous is now in its fifth year and aims to raise awareness about the country’s large, active and leading-edge scientific and research community while re-invigorating a sense of scientific curiosity among our nation’s youth.

Who:        Science Rendezvous presenters

Members of the public

When:      Saturday, May 12, 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:     Various locations throughout the Canada

Main activities to be held at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas Street East

Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2R8)

Members  of  the  media  are  asked  to  check  in  at  the  Science  Rendezvous registration desk located near the stage at the rear of Yonge-Dundas Square.

Sponsors include:  The University of Toronto,  Ryerson University,  York University,  The University of Ontario Institute of Technology, the  City of Toronto,  The University of Windsor,  The University of  Ottawa,   Navigator  Ltd.,   Carleton  University,   The  University  of  Regina,  The  University  of Winnipeg,  The University of Manitoba,  Queen ’s  Universit y,  The University of Toronto Mississauga, The University of Toronto Scarborough,  The Royal Canadian Institute for the  Advancement of Science,   Victoria  University,   George  Brown  College,   Ontario  Genomics  Institute,   Mount  Sinai Hospital, and SickKids.

For more information, please contact:

Kelsey Miller
Science Rendezvous
647-770-7207
kelsey.miller@sciencerendezvous.org

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