Rendezvous with Science Saturday at U of G
May 03, 2010 - News Release
Meet at the University of Guelph for science fun this weekend. That's the plan for Science Rendezvous, a one-day family festival being held on and off campus for the first time this year. From Mars to magic mud and microbes, free activities running May 8 are intended to raise science awareness and promote the University’s science programs and research.
“The goal is to interest people in science,” said Bonnie Lasby, recruitment officer for the College of Physical and Engineering Science (CPES). Researchers will take part from CPES as well as from the College of Biological Science and the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC).
U of G activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the science complex:
• Bring a bug to view and photograph under a microscope.
• Play with math equations to make fractal pictures.
• Extract DNA from an onion and learn about how genetic material is used to help solve crimes.
• Build electrical circuits with an engineer.
• Visit the U of G operations centre where scientists will help guide Mars exploration by a science rover due to reach the red planet in 2011.
Lasby’s favourite activity this year is “Magic Mud.” Stand in a wading pool filled with a mixture of corn starch and water, and you’ll sink ankle-deep in the liquid. Run across the pool and you’ll stay on the solid surface. “It’s very messy but lots of fun,” she said of this demonstration of non-Newtonian fluids that is planned for the green space in front of the science complex.
OAC scientists will discuss animals and agriculture in “Agricultural Myth-busters.” And in the Thornbrough Building, visitors can play games with a robot.
At Ed Video downtown, U of G researchers will show images from electron microscopes and artworks made with bacteria grown in petri dishes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prof. Terry Graham, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, will discuss exercise and nutrition at 2 p.m. at the YMCA/YWCA. Science in film and music will be the topic of a “Science Cuts” event to be held at the Bookshelf Cinema by SharpCuts Indie Film and Music in Guelph from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Scientists in School, an organization that promotes science for kids, will offer hands-on activities at “Malls of Science” in Stone Road Mall from noon to 3 p.m. U of G chemistry professor Richard Manderville will speak during a “Sipping Science” café at 6 p.m. at Starbucks in the mall’s Chapters store. This event is being held with Let’s Talk Science, another science promotion organization.
Science Rendezvous festivals will take place on the same day in Toronto, Oshawa, Markham, Waterloo and Windsor. More information is available online.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or l.hunt@exec.uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982 or d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
