Calling all researchers

Each year, Queen’s researchers come together to provide the local community a day of interactive and family-friendly scientific activities. As one of the longest-running and most successful outreach events in Canada, Science Rendezvous Kingston provides an opportunity for our faculty, students, and staff to give back to the community while exercising their ability to communicate with the public. The Vice-Principal (Research) portfolio is now calling on researchers or groups interested in having a booth at Science Rendezvous Kingston 2024. The event will be hosted on May 11 at the Leon’s Centre.

During the annual event, thousands of visitors have first-hand opportunities to engage with scientists: asking questions, doing experiments, exploring artefacts, and using equipment. In 2023, the event welcomed over 5,300 visitors from across Southeastern Ontario.

Last year, for the first time, Science Rendezvous Kingston included a Sensory Friendly Science Zone especially designed for children on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, and other special needs. This area will be expanded in 2024 to include more booths, as well as an area for parents.

A limited number of booths are available for 2024, both for the main event and for the Sensory Friendly Science Zone. Individuals, labs, and departments at Queen’s who would like to be a part of this event are welcome to complete the application form by Dec. 15, 2023.

Applicants are reminded that the event is family focused. While there is no fee for a booth, it is the responsibility of the booth coordinator to ensure that there are sufficient consumable materials and volunteers for the full day of activities.

Successful applicants will be advised of their place in the program by Jan. 15, 2024.

For research groups interested in having a booth, Science Rendezvous Kingston will host an information session on Nov. 30, 3-4 p.m., featuring the benefits of engaging the public in STEM research, as well as how to prepare your research group to interact with children an in-person science fair. Long-time collaborators of Science Rendezvous Kingston will also be there to share their experiences.

The session will be hosted in-person on campus at the Miller Museum of Geology. To register, visit the website.

If you have any questions, please contact Science Rendezvous Kingston coordinators Catarina Chagas and Dr. Lynda Colgan at sciencerendezvous@queensu.ca.

Note: This story was originally published in The Gazette.