UOIT Faculty of Science gears up to welcome public for a Science Rendezvous

OSHAWA, Ont. - From children to grandparents, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is inviting inquiring minds of all ages to immerse themselves in UOIT's leading-edge learning environment as part of the inaugural Science Rendezvous, a science and technology expo that will be held next month throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Participants visiting UOIT's Oshawa, Ontario campus will enjoy fun and family-friendly activities, such as extracting DNA from fruits and vegetables, turning lights on using electric current from fruit and examining forensic evidence and solving a crime at UOIT's Crime Scene House. They'll also learn about the many exciting opportunities and possibilities that come with a career in science.

"This expo is a wonderful opportunity to open our lab doors and let the community have an up-close and personal look at the amazing world of science," said Dr. William Smith, dean of the Faculty of Science. "UOIT's Faculty of Science is honoured to be a key participant in this extraordinary GTA-wide initiative and to have the opportunity to highlight the work of our world-class professors, our science programs and the innovative research conducted on campus."

The event will also offer demonstrations and activities throughout the day, including morning coffee with a scientist, maggot races and art, bubble formations, liquid nitrogen ice cream, Science Jeopardy, and lectures about the effects water pollution has on aquatic ecosystems and about real-life crime scene investigations.

The Science Rendezvous events at UOIT are part of a day-long initiative designed to promote the importance of science and technology to the general public at various locations across the GTA. It incorporates the resources and skills of award-winning institutions, organizations and the individuals within them through three interactive events:

• INVENTours, which are hands-on activities with scientists in their labs and research facilities;
• Cafe Scientifique, dynamic discussions of current scientific issues, along with meet the scientist question and answer periods; and
• Malls of Science, offered in conjunction with the Scientists in Schools program to provide experiment opportunities and demonstrations in malls across the GTA, including the Oshawa Centre.

"I encourage the community to join us for a day of free, fun, family-friendly activities," said Dr. Chris Garside, senior laboratory instructor and event co-ordinator. "This event promises to offer creative science activities for people of all ages."

Partners in the initiative are the University of Toronto's St. George and Mississauga campuses; York and Ryerson universities; UOIT; the University Hospital Network, encompassing Princess Margaret, Toronto Western and Toronto General hospitals; Mount Sinai Hospital; The Hospital for Sick Children; St. Michael's Hospital; Ontario Science Centre; City of Toronto; Scientists in Schools; Let's Talk Science; Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science; MaRS Discovery District and the Toronto Region Research Alliance.

When:
Saturday, May 10
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Registration is required for most INVENTours as space is limited.

Where:
UOIT
Science building, Room 1350, Library Cafe and East Atrium
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario

Parking:
Enter off of Simcoe Street and proceed to the Founders 1 parking lot.

About Ontario Tech University
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Media contact
Melissa Levy
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2513
melissa.levy@uoit.ca