Now in its second decade, Science Rendezvous – the Fraser Valley’s largest public science festival – continues to attract hundreds to Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Langley campus for the one-day event, so many that participants are required to register in advance for the free three-hour event.
Held this Saturday, May 11, kids and families could immerse themselves in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) by performing hands-on experiments, experiencing chemistry magic shows, interactive science labs, fire dancing, patient simulators, “slime crafting” and guided tours of KPU’s brewing lab.
Visitors filled the hallways and outdoor courtyard of the Langley City institution, among them, Brett Favaro, dean of the faculty of science, and his family.
”We’re so happy to have so many people here from Langley and all the surrounding municipalities come to check out our campus,” Favaro said.
”I would love for every kid who comes through here to see a future for themselves in science,” he remarked.
“It’s a very big discipline and it’s very good for jobs. And it’s very important for the world to have kids understanding science.”
A family-friendly event designed to increase scientific literacy, spark curiosity, and give young people a taste of science programs at the university, the Science Rendezvous program is, as of this year, a registered charity that “takes science out of the lab and onto the street”according to its mission statement posted online at www.sciencerendezvous.ca.
It began as a joint program between the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, York University, and Ontario Tech University and has since grown to 30 cities in 10 provinces and two territories to become the single largest one-day science festival in Canada.
In Metro Vancouver, SFU and UBC also celebrated the day.
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