UOIT invites aspiring young scientists to Science Rendezvous May 12

OSHAWA, ON – A free day of scientific fun and adventure for families is on tap Saturday, May 12 at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) as the popular Science Rendezvous returns to campus. Led by UOIT’s Faculty of Science, the annual event welcomes the community to take in a wide variety of exciting and highly-interactive activities that promote the importance of science and technology.

Whether visitors are of kindergarten age (and even younger), in high school, or have long forgotten the lessons they thought they learned in the science lab, there are dozens of activities for everyone to enjoy. The experiments, known as INVENTours, are hosted by UOIT faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students.

“From the INVENTours to the Science Cavalcade and the Biodiversity Gallery, Science Rendezvous offers so many hands-on opportunities for youngsters to explore and create,” said Laura Benninger, organizer of Science Rendezvous at UOIT. “The day is designed to inspire young people by de-mystifying science. Whatever question they may have about science, they are certain to find an answer from one of our expert volunteers.”

Popular activities returning for 2012 include dry ice rockets, liquid nitrogen ice cream and the famous flaming gummy bears.

New events include making your own sidewalk chalk, creating human-sized bubbles and don’t forget to stop by the Forensic Fun Zone for CSI Oshawa: the Missing Mascot Mystery. And if you really think you know your stuff when it comes to science, check out the Science Jeopardy event just after 2 p.m.!

Be sure to pick up a Science Rendezvous passport when you arrive to collect stickers and stamps from the various INVENTours and mini-workshops and for a chance to win a prize. Plan your day by picking up a copy of the Science Rendezvous program and register for Genes in a Bottle™ where participants can isolate DNA and wear it home in their very own DNA necklace (register early due to space limitations).

Admission and parking are free. Get express line access on May 12 by pre-registering at the Science Rendezvous 2012 website (http://www.uoit.ca/sciencerendezvous).

Food will be available for purchase on site.

Science Rendezvous 2012

When: Saturday, May 12
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where:
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre (ERC)
2000 Simcoe Street North
Oshawa, Ontario

Cost: Free
Directions: Campus map (http://www.uoit.ca/maps/uoit/)

About Science Rendezvous

Proud to be a founding partner of Science Rendezvous in 2008, UOIT is pleased to offer this exciting event for a fifth year. The free grassroots festival, targeted to all age groups, makes science accessible to thousands of people with a day of engaging, informative and interactive events. Science Rendezvous is an unprecedented day-long showcase of Canadian science and is Ontario’s largest public science festival. Award-winning institutions across the country have rallied behind this event in order to present a unified voice on the importance of science to society, and collectively generate a culture of discovery and innovation in Canada.  

From university labs to shopping malls and farmers markets to hospitals, science champions from across the province take their passions to the people to encourage a public understanding of the great impact science and technology has on our lives and our changing world.

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. To check out the national website, please visit www.sciencerendezvous.ca.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.

Media contact
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca