Science Engagement

From Toronto to Tuktoyaktuk: U of T faculty, students take Science Rendezvous across Canada

Romi Levine — Fri, 12 May 2017 20:34:32 +0000

From Toronto to Tuktoyaktuk: U of T faculty, students take Science Rendezvous across Canada

Romi Levine Fri, 05/12/2017 - 16:34

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Kids learned about biology at U of T Scarborough's Science Rendezvous celebrations last year (photo by Ken Jones)

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“I'm hoping we light a little spark in these kids so they can discover and learn”

It took two days and five flights for University of Toronto PhD student Daniel Szulc to get to Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories – all for the sake of science.

Szulc is running programming for the territory’s celebration of Science Rendezvous – a Canada-wide science and engineering festival for the entire family, which takes place this Saturday.

The Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) student will be flying on a tiny plane from Tuktoyaktuk to Inuvik and Aklavik throughout the day, running interactive workshops for children living in remote areas so they feel included in the day-long fun. The free festival engages students of all ages.

“We're running some demos with the classrooms where the children and students can do hands-on experiments and actually experience being a scientist,” Szulc says. “I'm hoping we light a little spark in these kids so they can discover and learn.”

Here's how you can celebrate Science Rendezvous at U of T

He described the area he'll be working in as “absolutely beautiful.”

“Because it's so remote, it's really difficult to get materials up here and get individuals up here so bringing science up here can allow kids to get a chance to interact with things that they don't normally interact with,” says Szulc.

Science Rendezvous, now in its 10th year, was the brainchild of U of T University Professor R. J. Dwayne Miller, who having been inspired by a similar event in Germany, decided to launch a festival in Canada in partnership with universities and organizations all over the country.

At U of T's downtown Toronto campus, there's plans to once again celebrate science in a big way. Students will get to explore outer space using virtual reality, watch an earthquake simulation and learn about edible bugs. Check out the exhibits lining St. George Street, take a tour of the campus’s state-of-the-art labs and participate in the Canada 150-themed Science Chase scavenger hunt.

“Science is about asking questions, solving problems, challenging dogma,” says University Professor Molly Shoichet, U of T President Meric Gertler's senior adviser on science and engineering engagement. “Imagine what we would be doing if we didn't? We probably would still be using leaches to cure diseases.

“Science Rendezvous ignites that spirit of discovery, engaging us all to invent a better future.”

Robots, solar cars, rockets, satellites, and drones, oh my! Come see them all at #SR2017 this Saturday, May 13th! #OdySci #ChooseScience pic.twitter.com/kZa3aCdrCe
— SR UofT (St. George) (@UofTSR) May 11, 2017

Unfortunately, U of T Scarborough’s Science Rendezvous activities, which were to take place at the Toronto Zoo, have been cancelled due to a strike.

Last year, the festival was attended by 300,000 people. Miller, like Szulc, sees it as an opportunity to inspire a new generation to “unleash their inner geek.”

“Everybody's born a scientist. Everybody's curious. We just need to get that instilled in a way that it's part of a lifelong pursuit so you stay thinking critically.”

This year, all Science Rendezvous sites are taking part in a water-testing experiment.

“It'll be a good opportunity to engage the local communities, and to get excited about water science and create a picture of the water health in Canada,” says Katie Miller, Science Rendezvous’ executive director. “They will upload the results to the website. It will create an overall picture of what is going on around the country.”

In the Northwest Territories, Szulc will be running the water-testing experiment and will be teaching high school students how to produce energy through water splitting.

“Then we're having elders come in to have their perspective on water – how they assess water, really trying to create culturally-relevant programming so students can see that their culture and their life here also connects to science, and they can use science to enhance it,” Szulc says.

#TBT to these young scientists having a great time at SR2016! Come to #SR2017 and these fashion choices could be yours! #OdySci pic.twitter.com/TBmFhbSbnH
— SR UofT (St. George) (@UofTSR) April 20, 2017

Science Rendezvous is a lot of fun, but it’s also a chance for scientists to showcase their work to a wider audience, says Professor Miller.

“It's a great opportunity for the scientists themselves to give back to the general public, tell them what they're doing with public money and explain what it's good for,” he says.

The event also helps to ignite a passion for science that many scientists feel is under threat south of the border.

“Now more than ever it's becoming apparent at how much we need to be more active and engaging our general population,” says Katie Miller. “For a while, it was assumed it was seen as being important, and now we really need to re-engage with the general population on a regular basis and keep that importance relevant in their mind.”

Music and Science converge at U of Tʼs Sounds of Science

vzaretski — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 19:57:10 +0000

Music and Science converge at U of Tʼs Sounds of Science vzaretski Fri, 04/22/2016 - 15:57

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Photo by Johnny Guatto

Jessica Lewis

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The event crystallized last year when Professor Molly Shoichet met with the Faculty of Music Dean Don McLean. As senior adviser on science and engineering engagement, Shoichet is excited to be working with the Faculty of Music to bring this incredible event to our community.

“I’m interested in highlighting science where it is unexpected, in exploring synergies at the intersection of different disciplines,” says Shoichet. “I myself did not realize how rich this intersection was until I embarked on this journey. I look forward to sharing it with Torontonians.”

Professor Lee Bartel, associate director of Music and Health Research Collaboratory, organized the event’s presentations to show a side of the school that the public may not have noticed before.

“Yes we’re a music school that does performance but we do performance informed by technology, performance that has impact on medicine and health,” he says. “People have always assumed that there is a link between music and health from the way music makes you feel. Now we can demonstrate that in a scientific way”.

Bartel says that there are new frontiers in standard medical research that involve music and sound in a way was never anticipated. “It’s not just ‘music makes me feel happy therefore I walk faster thus my heart gets healthier,’ but because we are very specifically making sound in a particular way that has an indirect music-medicine affect on your brain.”

The main stage performance will feature:

Linnea Thacker, who will perform Bach’s G Minor Presto on violin while her muscles and motions are synchronized with video and audio information provided by Dr. John Chong.
Adjunct Professor Jeff Wolpert, a multi JUNO award-winning engineer, and Dr. David Alter, who will demonstrate rhythmic auditory stimulation in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.
Professor Lee Bartel will show how medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, depression and Alzheimer’s Disease can respond to brain re-regulation with sound stimulation.
Professor Aaron Low will evaluate, in real-time, the anatomy of soprano singer, Sarah Forestieri, as she sings. Associate Professor Darryl Edwards will describe how a professional singer trains and maintains their voice.
Dr. Michael Thaut will cap off the presentations by showing how rhythm promotes healing in Parkinson’s Disease and how the last 20 years of breakthrough research in music-based neurorehabilitation impact current developments and applications.

Prior to performances, audience members are welcome to participate in a Science Music Fair in the main lobby foyer of the Edward Johnson Building, which will feature interactive demonstrations of new technological sound devices for therapy, gaming applications and more. Learn about the history of science in music, why our cars have been built to sound like us, and how digital audio coding works in real time. During this time, there will also be a performance of Christos Hatzis’ Harmonia with visual realization by Bruno Degazio.

Five visions for the future of energy: Science Literacy Week panel

sgupta — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 07:52:34 +0000

Five visions for the future of energy: Science Literacy Week panel sgupta Mon, 09/28/2015 - 03:52

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Ravi Seethapathy, David Zingg, Brandon Sutherland and Aziza Chaouni

Brianna Goldberg

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Canada-wide festival started by alumnus partners with U of T’s Science & Engineering Engagement

Pond-covered parks that foster community while they clean waste water. Airplanes that fly across the ocean in formation like Canada geese. Solar cells that print onto paper as simply as any ink.

Those were just some of the visionary ideas from researchers at the University of Toronto that propelled a lively panel discussion on energy and sustainability at Isabel Bader Theatre on Sept. 24 as part of alumnus Jesse Hildebrand’s programming for Science Literacy Week.

U of T’s Science & Engineering Engagement co-presented the energy discussion panel as well as another on the topic of health and ageing on Sept. 23.

Science Literacy Week: 280 events across the country

sgupta — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:57:17 +0000

Science Literacy Week: 280 events across the country sgupta Fri, 09/18/2015 - 07:57

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(Star image by Adam Evans via Flickr

Brianna Goldberg

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How recent grad Jesse Hildebrand launched the science festival taking over Toronto – and Canada

Fresh from his undergraduate studies in ecology and evolutionary biology, U of T alumnus Jesse Hildebrand has turned his enthusiasm for science into a festival for the city.

“You look in a telescope and see back in time to stars that were there a million years ago,” said Hildebrand, founder of Science Literacy Week. “It gives me chills.”

“Who wouldn’t want to convey that wonder to everyone? It’s natural.” (Read more about Science Literacy Week)

After childhood days of taping up posters of Australian television personality and conservationist Steve Irwin and undergraduate years of liberating science texts from library stacks to front-lobby displays, Hildebrand’s entrepreneurial path to science leadership in 2014 led to the creation of Science Literacy Week. (Read about Science Literacy Week 2014)

This public event invited Toronto audiences to delight in topics often confined to textbooks and lectures: the science of space, dinosaurs and more came to life through expert-guided film screenings, lively discussion panels and stargazing. With major partners U of T, Toronto Public Libraries and York University on board, his effort was a GTA-wide success.

But Hildebrand was determined to give his project a bigger bang this year.

Science Literacy Week returns on Sept. 21 as an expanded Canada-wide festival with 280 events stretching from Victoria to St. John’s. Forty cities and 120 partner institutions have joined.

“I’m flabbergasted how many people said yes to this event,” said Hildebrand of his campaign of more than 4,500 emails. “I got 10 yes responses for every no.”

While working part-time as an educator for Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and earning a master’s degree in science communication from England’s Open University, Hildebrand reached out to museums, libraries and researchers across the country to build the diverse program of events.

Toronto will be studded with more than 40 activities, ranging from nature walks to 3D-printing demonstrations to lunar-eclipse-watching parties and expert-guided screenings of Jurassic World. Many are hosted by the U of T.

“Science and Engineering Engagement at the University of Toronto is thrilled to bring this series of events to the Toronto community,” said Molly Shoichet, senior advisor to U of T President Meric Gertler on science and engineering engagement (SEE).

“With panel discussions on such hot topics as health, aging, sustainability and energy, as well as ‘science at the movies’ screenings taking audiences from dinosaurs to outer space, there is definitely something for everyone.”

(Reserve your free ticket for panel discussion on aging)

(Reserve your free ticket for panel discussion on sustainability)

(Reserve your ticket for SEE at the Movies: Jurassic World)

(Reserve your ticket for SEE at the Movies: Contact)

Shoichet said U of T is proud to work with an alumnus like Hildebrand to bring science to the community.

“Part of what makes the University of Toronto awesome is access to world-renowned scientists, right here on our doorstep. These events are accessible to the novice and appealing to the expert. It’s a way to learn more about our options individually and as a society, or just to have fun at the movies or staring up into the sky. We invite all of U of T to participate. Bring your friends and family.”

Hildebrand credited his undergraduate astronomy professor Mike Reid for help and encouragement. Reid’s team at the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics will host a Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party on Sept. 27 alongside the Science Literacy Week activities. (Read more about the free Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party)

“In high school, there’s so much buildup about how scary university’s going to be but I never really experienced that,” said Hildebrand. “I had lovely teachers throughout.”

Hildebrand offered a few pieces of advice to undergrads at U of T.

“There’s a diversity of people there to help you,” he said. “Librarians are keen to make your life easier – they are so wonderful.

“Talk with professors as much as possible. My favourite experiences in university were chatting with them one-on-one.” (Read more advice for undergrads at U of T)

Hildebrand echoes Shoichet’s message that everyone will find something of interest in Science Literacy Week programming, insisting that “no science background is needed.”

For next year, he talks about adding cities and events, getting bigger.

“I’ve been so lucky to meet all these wonderful science communicators and passionate people at museums and libraries. It would be nice if more could be done to link them and bring more science activities, more science understanding to the public. That would be my dream.”

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Science Rendezvous 2015: solar cars, giant bubbles, melting metal and much more

sgupta — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:04:41 +0000

Science Rendezvous 2015: solar cars, giant bubbles, melting metal and much more sgupta Wed, 05/20/2015 - 10:04

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(photo above of Science Rendezvous participants and photo below of volunteers by Ingrid Grozavu)

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Each year, thousands of children and adults with an appetite for fun attend Science Rendezvous at the University of Toronto.

This festival of all things science is the brainchild of U of T chemistry and biological physics professor Dwayne Miller and began as a joint program between U of T, Ryerson University, York University and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in 2008.

Since then, the annual event has grown to include 40 of Canada’s top research institutions and more than 75 community partnerships across 30 cities in 10 provinces.

At U of T, the annual event is one of myriad ways the university promotes science in the community, from free talks in public libraries to Science Literacy Week events on campus (to learn more, visit Science & Engineering Engagement, headed by University Professor Molly Shoichet).

This year, U of T’s Science Rendezvous welcomed an estimated 15,000 people to the University of Toronto Scarborough campus and to St. George street downtown, which was closed to traffic. If you missed this year’s event, here are some highlights:

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U of T program provides national leadership on science and engineering engagement

sgupta — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 10:09:43 +0000

U of T program provides national leadership on science and engineering engagement sgupta Fri, 04/17/2015 - 06:09

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Participants in last year's U of T Science Leadership Program take part in a creative thinking exercise

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This month, 20 top researchers from across Canada get the opportunity to polish their communication and leadership skills at the University of Toronto’s 2015 Science Leadership Program (SLP).

It's an intensive two-day experience that equips participants with the tools to promote the importance of their research to the public, the media and government decision-makers.

Directed by University of Toronto Professor Molly Shoichet of chemical engineering and IBBME, senior advisor to the president on Science and Engineering Engagement, the program welcomes invited scientists from research-intensive institutions – including the universities of Calgary, Waterloo, McGill, Ottawa, Manitoba, York, as well as U of T – to take part in a series of hands-on training sessions, discussion panels and interactive opportunities. Now in its third year, the program is sponsored by Science & Engineering Engagement at U of T and the Connaught Fund.

“The program is designed to give professors, in a diversity of science and engineering fields, the opportunity to hone their leadership and communication skills,” says Shoichet, a recipient of this year’s prestigious L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award. “We are bringing in experts from around the world to lead several interactive workshops, while at the same time we’re giving professors the chance to test their skills on expert communicators.”

The program, from April 22 to 24, is intense. Participants will take part in practical training sessions on outreach, leadership and communications. Nancy Houfek, formerly from the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, will teach participants how to best use their voice and body. A session by The Barefoot Company will teach them how to articulate ideas most effectively and how to lead a research team of different personalities.

Ivan Semeniuk, a veteran science reporter at the Globe and Mail, will deliver a talk called “Science Communications Primer” that examines what makes scientists and journalists the same, yet different, in their quest for truth. His talk will be followed by a panel discussion with leading communicators on effective story-telling and how to keep the message on point when speaking to the public, media and government.

Launched in 2013, the Science Leadership Program is part of U of T’s Science and Engineering Engagement program, an initiative that aims to raise awareness of U of T’s teaching and research strengths in science and engineering.

The SLP is the only one of its kind in Canada and among a handful throughout North America. Each year, U of T selects 20 applicants to take part in the program who are typically professors in the early- or mid-stage of their careers in science, engineering, social science or medicine.

One of this year’s participants, Professor Naomi Matsuura from the U of T Faculty of Medicine, is widely recognized as an expert in cancer nanotechnology. Also cross-appointed to the department of materials science and engineering, her research explores how medical imaging radiation and new materials can interact and be used to detect and treat cancer.

As a scientist, Matsuura confesses that she has had challenges in trying to explain her complex research to lay people while staying true to its scientific authenticity. But a key motivation for applying to the SLP is her realization that scientists need to help the public understand why research matters, especially in light of recent government cuts to the funding of basic research.

“I applied to this program to learn how to better communicate the expected advances that will arise from publicly funded research such as my own, so that the general public, who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of our research, will come to appreciate and, hopefully lobby for, continued high-level basic research initiatives in Canada,” she says.

Professor David Cramb, head of the department of chemistry at the University of Calgary, is a much sought-after lecturer on the study of nanoscience. His research involves using fluorescence and molecular-scale imaging technology to assess the therapeutic potential of nanoparticles and track toxicological risk factors in avian and aquatic species.

Cramb says he applied to the SLP to gain more experience in talking about science policy with the media, politicians and the general public. He is most excited about “meeting like-minded people who are passionate about telling the great stories of Canadian science.”

Professor Edmond Young, who joined U of T’s department of mechanical and industrial engineering in January 2013, had heard great things about the program from his colleagues who had taken part in previous years, and he wanted to experience it himself.

“I’m hoping to broaden my horizons beyond the scientific work, and become better at seeing the bigger picture,” says Young, whose award-winning research focuses on creating engineered models that mimic the cell and tissue microenvironments of the body. “It’s very important to engage the public and keep them informed about all the exciting research work that’s being done, and how it can impact their daily lives.”

Shoichet is encouraging all of the invitees to come with “an open mind and soak up as much of the program” as they can.

“This program is designed to enhance our skills, develop our thinking and ultimately give us the tools to be more effective in research and its communication,” she says. “There is a fantastic group coming this year – I’m looking forward to getting to know them all.”

Participants in the 2015 Science Leadership Program include:

Morgan Barense, associate professor, psychology and Baycrest RRI; CRC, University of Toronto
Xudong Cao,professor; assistant director, chemical and biological engineering, University of Ottawa
David Cramb, professor; head of chemistry, University of Calgary
Annemieke Farenhorst, professor, soil science; Prairie NSERC Chair for Women in Science & Engineering, University of Manitoba
Guy Faulkner, professor, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto
Michel Fich, professor, physics and astronomy, University of Waterloo
Tara Gomes, scientist; assistant professor, pharmacy, St. Michael’s Hospital; University of Toronto
Jane Heffernan, associate professor, mathematics and statistics; York Research Chair, York University
Naomi Matsuura, assistant professor, medical imaging/materials science and engineering, University of Toronto
Mandy Meriano, senior lecturer, environmental science, University of Toronto Scarborough
Joshua Milstein, assistant professor, chemical and physical sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga
Stella Ng, director, research and scientist, Centre for Faculty Development, Medicine, University of Toronto
Navindra Persaud, lecturer, family and community medicine, University of Toronto
Mary Pugh, associate professor, mathematics, University of Toronto
Nathaniel Quitoriano, assistant professor, materials engineering, McGill University
Tom Schweizer, director, neuroscience research program; assistant professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering and neurosurgery, St. Michael’s Hospital; University of Toronto
Adam Steinberg, assistant professor, Institute for Aerospace Studies, University of Toronto
Franco Taverna, senior lecturer, human biology program, University of Toronto
Edmond Young, associate professor, mechanical and industrial engineering, University of Toronto

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Science Literacy Week at U of T: from the night sky to Jurassic Park

sgupta — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:51:52 +0000

Science Literacy Week at U of T: from the night sky to Jurassic Park sgupta Wed, 10/08/2014 - 05:51

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Science literacy empowers people to think sceptically about scientific claims, and to appreciate the nature of scientific inquiry and discovery," says Jesse Hildebrand (photo by Liz Do)

Liz Do

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When Jesse Hildebrand witnessed a seventh-grader visiting the Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library to tour some of the most important scientific books ever produced, he knew he was on to something special with Science Literacy Week.

It was a familiar scene to Hildebrand. When he was little, all he had to do was express the slightest interest in a topic and his parents would take him to the library to find out more.

Their efforts spawned not only a lifelong love of science, but of communicating it – leading alumnus Hildebrand to help create Science Literacy Week.

“U of T is in a perfect position to demonstrate the importance of science,” said Hildebrand. ”It houses some of the best science faculty, research facilities and students in the world and occupies a central position in the largest city in Canada.”

From September 22-28, the inaugural Science Literacy Week took place at U of T, with a focus on the theme ‘Wonder and Scepticism.’ Spearheaded by Hildebrand and U of T Libraries, in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library and York University, the city-wide event offered public access to documentary screenings, book displays, lectures and more, showcasing all things science – from palaeontology to astronomy.

“Supporting science engagement publicly, especially for as prominent an institution as U of T, makes people recognize just how important and fascinating science is,” said Hildebrand.

Lectures at the Gerstein Library – featuring fun topics such as ‘Fact and Fiction in Jurassic Park’ and the misconceptions of the Big Bang Theory – were particularly popular. Also a big hit were the science demonstrations, including an opportunity for the public to observe the night sky and beyond at the McLennan Physics Building.

Science Literacy Week has been a passion project for Hildebrand, who started working on the event right after his very last class at U of T. He believes science literacy is more important than it has ever been.

“Science forms the backbone of a great deal of our everyday experience,” said Hildebrand. “I think just as literacy enables you to understand the language that forms the basis of our society, science literacy empowers people to think sceptically about scientific claims, and to appreciate the nature of scientific inquiry and discovery.”

Those sentiments are echoed by world-renowned regenerative medicine expert, Molly Shoichet, recently appointed as the senior advisor on science and engineering engagement at U of T. (Read more about the appointment.)

“So many decisions and policies are made without sufficient scientific process and basis. Science literacy is the basis of our lives and critical to making the best decisions that will influence our lives now and in the future,” said Shoichet. “It is fantastic to have people like Jesse collaborate with our librarians across U of T and the city of Toronto to highlight the curiosity that is the basis of all scientific research.”

With the early success of Science Literacy Week, Hildebrand, who studied ecology and evolutionary biology at U of T, hopes to turn the event into a Canada-wide initiative to spread the message of science literacy and engagement.

“I'd like to expand it a great deal, both in spreading the central idea and activities behind this year's event across the country and in expanding the roster and size of events here in Toronto,” he said. “As for talking to potential participants for next year and in trying to make more events happen here – well, that's already begun.”

Liz Do writes about education for U of T News.

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Bill Nye on science literacy and his upcoming visit to U of T

sgupta — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:52:43 +0000

Bill Nye on science literacy and his upcoming visit to U of T sgupta Fri, 09/26/2014 - 06:52

Liz Do

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Liz Do

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Science: "It’s the best idea humans have ever had. It’s how we know nature and our place in the universe."

For many kids who grew up in the 90s, one of the joys of science class was seeing a TV trolley wheeled in, with an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy ready to go.

Since then, Bill Nye’s impact on science education has grown beyond the walls of science class.

The scientist, comedian, writer, television personality and former engineer now engages the public in the wonders of science through The Planetary Society, the world’s largest space interest group.

On October 1, The Planetary Society, along with Nye and special guests, will be at Convocation Hall to discuss and celebrate Canada’s space program as part of the International Astronautical Congress.

The event comes on the heels of Science Literacy Week (September 22-28). Spearheaded by alumnus Jesse Hildebrand and U of T Libraries – and in collaboration with the Toronto Public Library and York University – Science Literacy Week is a city-wide event that offers public access to documentary screenings, book displays and lectures, among other offerings, to showcase the field of science in its many forms.

Writer Liz Do spoke to Nye about the importance of science literacy, as well as the upcoming event at Convocation Hall.

What contributions have Canadians made to space science?
I remind Canadians that they should be very proud of their space agency. The Canadian Space Agency manages to get itself on so many space missions and Canada provides so much ground support for so many people around the world.

Canadians are involved in developing a lot of space instruments: there’s a Canadian instrument on the Curiosity Rover, and there’s a Canadian instrument on Maven, which got captured in Mars’ orbit recently. Canada also participated on Hayabusa [an unmanned spacecraft], which went past Venus. There are also a great number of communication and weather satellites that the Canadian Space Agency is involved in.

And, who doesn’t love Chris Hadfield? When you put humans in space, you really engage people.

It’s Science Literacy Week here at U of T. Who or what got you fascinated by science?
I do remember, very well, being fascinated by bees. I sat and watched bumblebees for days. They’d fly and hover and fly back to fill up their pollen baskets from azalea flowers, and then go flying off again and come back… I got to a point where I was convinced I was seeing the same bee coming and going from the flowers.

When I got stung by a bee, my mom put ammonia on it, and then my brother, who had a chemistry kit, made ammonia. I remember thinking, ‘That’s the coolest thing. There’s some amazing connection between chemistry and the universe.’ My grandfather was also an organic chemist, and my mom gave me his glassware to play with.

When it came time to make choices, like when you’re in first grade and the teacher asks you ‘do you want to do science or do you want to colour?’ I would want to do the science thing. I remember [my teacher] teaching us about Oases – when water can flow underground – and I thought that that was amazing!

If I put that question to science students here, they might tell me that Bill Nye the Science Guy had something to do with their interest.
That’s pretty cool. That’s the goal!

As Bill Nye the Science Guy you made science so accessible and exciting. What influenced the approach to the show?
Well any television show, and this is lost on some people, has to be entertaining first. A lot of people take what they do very seriously, and they figure it’s just up to the audience to be entertained. But making things funny is hard, or it can be hard. You can pretend to be serious, but you cannot pretend to be funny.

And teaching, in my opinion, is a performing art. That may be obvious, but not to everybody.

Science Literacy Week includes virtual exhibits featuring recommended books, podcasts and videos. What are you reading right now?
I’m reading a book that’s coming out soon called, The Moral Arc of Science by Michael Shermer. He argues that science is what makes us more civilized; it’s very cool.

And my book is coming out in November, it’s called Undeniable: Evolution and The Science of Creation. I would call it a primer on evolution – natural selection, sexual selection, homology. I also talk at length about that debate in Kentucky.

How important is science literacy?
When it’s time to vote, when it’s time to influence policy, we need voters who can think critically and understand the reasonableness of scientific arguments.

It’s more important than it’s ever been in my lifetime, that’s for sure.

In the last year, both Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chris Hadfield visited U of T to give lectures to our students, and both events were sold out within hours. They’ve become science figureheads in pop culture, thanks to their ability to engage with the public through television and social media. Do you think this fascination with science is going to stay or grow in pop culture?

I’m working hard to make it grow through my work with the Planetary Society – where Neil is a board member, by the way. We work as hard as we can to promote science literacy, because for me, it’s in the best interest for all of humankind.

Yet scepticism of science is quite pervasive today, whether it’s denying climate change, or evolution. Is it frustrating to have to publicly shoulder much of this debate? Is there value in having this debate?
We want as many people to be aware of [climate change] as possible, and be aware of the debate. I think that, a century from now, there will be a lot less of this – denial of climate change, denial of evolution.

But you’ve got to work with what you’ve got, both where and when you were born. I’m living in a time where we have these fantastically difficult problems to solve around the world – climate change being the most serious – and we have a bunch of people who are voters who don’t believe that it’s an important problem. And some people are using an old trick where you take scientific uncertainty, and convert that into your listener’s mind to doubt the whole thing.

The problem is, we have seven billion people, and the atmosphere is barely the thickness of a layer of varnish on a classroom globe – all these people trying to breathe and burn the same atmosphere.

But you have to be optimistic. You have to go into it like we’re going to solve this.

Last question – simply put, why should we get excited about science?
It’s the best idea humans have ever had. It’s how we know nature and our place in the universe. Science is what brings us all the technology and food that we rely on for our extraordinary quality of life. Without science, no one would live nearly as well as he or she does right now.

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Fostering a public passion for STEM

sgupta — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 10:16:49 +0000

Fostering a public passion for STEM sgupta Thu, 09/18/2014 - 06:16

Liz Do

Althea Blackburn-Evans with files from Liz Do

Althea Blackburn-Evans

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Althea Blackburn-Evans with files from Liz Do

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Speed dating, Dragon’s Den and scientists by the dozen at CSWA conference

sgupta — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 12:57:47 +0000

Speed dating, Dragon’s Den and scientists by the dozen at CSWA conference sgupta Wed, 06/11/2014 - 08:57

Elaine Smith

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Elaine Smith

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Science Engagement

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U of T hosts Canadian Science Writers' Association

Did you know that wood residue can be used to manufacture automobile engine covers or that honeybees can recognize their half-sisters living two hives distant?

If you did, there’s a good chance you took part in the Science Speed Dating session at the Canadian Science Writers' Association (CSWA) annual meeting hosted by the University of Toronto Science Engagement from June 5 to 8.

The conference featured more than two dozen researchers from U of T and other Toronto institutions who participated in lectures, panel discussions, facility tours and sessions such as speed dating, where scientists had five minutes to interest writers in their research, and a facsimile of the Dragon’s Den television show that allowed journalists to decide whether a researcher’s pitch sounded viable or not.

Participants were enthusiastic about the offerings.

“I’m not sure that there’s any ONE thing that I enjoyed most,” said Altaira Northe, a medical writer for the AboutKidsHealth program at SickKids Hospital. “The sessions were so rich.

"I just love being around scientists and research in general; it has a certain energy and excitement that can’t be matched elsewhere.”

Other panels showcased science communicators and provided professional development opportunities for attendees, something Melinda Knox, one of the editors of the research magazine at Queen’s University, appreciated.

“The social media panel featuring three 'gurus' in the field was particularly interesting, especially the discussions centred on how to measure 'success' on these platforms,” said Knox via email. “Sometimes it’s not a numbers game; instead you need to evaluate if your audience is actually engaged with the content you are putting out.”

Meeting attendees also had the opportunity to tour various university and teaching hospital research facilities, including the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the U of T Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). Photo tweets from UTIAS flew fast and furiously, with participants exclaiming about the opportunities to try a flight simulator, watch flying robotic vehicles and visit the wind tunnel.

Professor Ray Jayawardhana, the senior advisor on science engagement to President Meric Gertler, and the driving force behind bringing the CSWA meeting to the University of Toronto, said the appeal of the panels, tours, and interactive sessions showcased the breadth of research taking place at U of T.

“The scientists were able to connect the research to people’s lives, which makes for compelling stories,” he said.

Jayawardhana, an astrophysicist, was delighted to be able to bring scientists and communicators together in a setting that allowed for meaningful conversation.

“The intimacy and the immediacy of the sessions were really valuable,” he said. “Communicators were able to ask the scientists direct questions and get new insights into a variety of frontier research topics.”

Professor Ron Deibert, director of U of T's Citizen Lab, delivered the luncheon address on the second day of the conference, and he held the audience spellbound with his analysis of the growing power of the state in cyberspace and the way they are changing the face of online communications. Participants were reluctant to curtail their questions in order to attend the afternoon sessions.

“It was illuminating to hear Professor Deibert highlight the impact 9/11 had on the governance of cyberspace and, more important, the implications for journalists and for our day-to-day lives,” said Helen Lasthiotakis, assistant dean of arts and science, who was instrumental in organizing the program.

“I think that the U of T's commitment to scientists communicating better – yes, I am speaking about the Science Leadership Program – showed itself in the quite accomplished way its professors and researchers spoke and described their research,” said Stephen Strauss, CSWA president. “My guess is that members of CSWA who are information officers may well go back to their institutions with a sense that they want to make their professors and grad students as good communicators as those they saw at the U of T.”

If so, the hosts will have accomplished one of their goals: “reinforcement that for science and science engagement, the University of Toronto is the place to be.”

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Speed dating, Dragon’s Den and scientists by the dozen at CSWA conference