Science Literacy Week is fast approaching, with an exciting arrangement of events designed to bring out your inner scientist. In its second year, Science Literacy Week is the brainchild of a recent University of Toronto graduate from the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program, Jesse Hildebrand.
In 2014, the week-long celebration of science was localized to Toronto-based institutions. But this year, through Hildebrand’s networking prowess and thousands of emails, the 2015 Science Literacy Week has engaged institutions from coast to coast, using the Twitter hashtag #CanadaLovesScience (@scilit2015).
While Canada already ranks incredibly high for science literacy, Hildebrand believes that our culture “doesn’t value science as much” and hopes that the week of events will “change [people’s] ideas on science” by shifting public attention from trivial media topics to science issues such as space exploration.
Many of the events organized by the festival are being hosted at the University of Toronto campus. We’ve provided an overview of just a few of the featured events:
The Secret Lives of Animals: The Reproductive World of Common Critters
Learn about animal reproductive behavior with ROM educator Bethany Kempster at this daylong workshop (not recommended for guests under 18).
September 20, 2015 @ 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
ROM Education Classroom
Register here ($72 for students).
Jurassic World Movie Screening with Paleontologist discussion
Follow up a classic dinosaur film with your favourite film and paleontology questions with David Evans and Robert Reisz.
September 21, 2015 @ 7:00-10:00 PM
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema – $10 Tickets available here.
3D Printing Demonstration
Join the Dentistry Library and Instructional Technology Services (IITS) for a 3D scanner demonstration with Andrea Cormier.
September 21-25, 2015 @ 12:30-1:00 PM daily
Dentistry Library
Panel Discussion on Healthcare and Aging with U of T Scientists
Discuss scientific questions surrounding health and aging with Kerry Bowman, Mike Carter, Ronald Baecker, James Downar, Carol Greenwood, and moderator from the Toronto Star, Kate Allen.
September 23, 2015 @ 7:00-10:00 PM
Isabel Bader Theatre
RSVP at Eventbrite.
Panel Discussion on Energy and Sustainability with U of T Scientists
Discuss the science and social issues surrounding energy and sustainability with Aziza Chaouni, Ravi Seethapathy, David Zingg, Brandon Sutherland, and Ron Oberth.
September 24, 2015 @ 7:00-10:00 PM
Isabel Bader Theatre
RSVP at Eventbrite.
Cross-Collaboration: Speed Networking for UofT researchers
Connect with faculty during 7-minute speed meetings.
September 24, 2015 @ 3:00-5:00 PM
Gerstein Science Information Centre
Contact Movie Screening and Discussion with astronomers on SETI
Watch Contact and discuss extraterrestrial intelligence with Dunlap Institute astronomers Laura Newburgh and Elliot Meyer.
September 26, 2015 @ 12:00-3:00 PM
Bloor Hot Docs Cinema – $10 Tickets available here.
Total Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party
Join an army of astronomers, who will be standing by to answer your questions about space and provide activities suitable for all ages, at the total lunar eclipse viewing. Don’t miss this, as you won’t get the chance to view a total lunar eclipse again in North America until 2019. This year’s eclipse is extra special: it will be during a “supermoon”, where the Moon is closest to the earth and will appear subtly larger than normal. There will also be an opportunity to enter a Lunar Eclipse Photography Contest!
September 27, 2015 @ 8:30 PM-12:30 AM
Dunlap Institution for Astronomy and Astrophysics (50 St. George street)
RSVP on the Facebook Event Page
