Science Rendezvous is the largest science festival in Canada; its inaugural event happened across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Saturday, May 10, 2008 with the support from the University of Toronto, Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), York University and the Ontario Tech U (previously University of Ontario Institute of Technology).[1][2] By 2011 the event had gone national, with participation from most major research institutes, universities, science promotion groups and the public from all across Canada - from Vancouver to St. John's to Inuvik. Science Rendezvous is a registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to making great science accessible to the public. In 2019, there were more than 300 festival events in 30 cities across Canada.[3]

Science Rendezvous signage and logo in background together with exhibit on States-of-Matter, hydraulophone, and H2Orchestra, at University of Toronto, 2009. Science Rendezvous makes science accessible to people of all-ages, including children.
The York University Rover Team showing their rover during the event

This free all-day event aims to highlight and promote great science in Canada. The target audience is the general public, parents, children and youth, with an ultimate aim of improving enrollment and investment in sciences and technology in the future.

Programs

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There are a number of different programs that people can participate in, including:

INVENTours: Laboratory and facility tours, demonstrations, activities and lectures at a number of science, technology, research and educational institutes.

Sipping Science: Hosted in cafes, these are intimate discussions with renowned scientists on current hot science topics.

Science Carnival: Demonstrations and hands-on activities in fun carnival atmosphere.

The Amazing Science Chase: First hosted by the University of Toronto, now a national offering that has gone virtual for 2021! Teams of 2-4 participants can compete in an Amazing Race-style event with a science-twist. Participants solve clues and apply their scientific knowledge to problem solve challenges set out as part of an exciting story within which they are immersed.

Sites/Groups that have Participated in Science Rendezvous

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In the Greater Toronto Area

Other Ontario Sites

Across Canada

References

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  1. ^ "Awaken your inner scientist". Toronto Star. May 9, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  2. ^ "Science Rendezvous brings U of T research from the lab to the streets". University of Toronto. May 14, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  3. ^ "'It's all about the hands-on': Kids see the science of everything at Science Rendezvous". CBC.ca. May 11, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
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