Shoppers visiting the Mayflower Mall on Saturday, May 7, from 12 noon to 4 pm, might find themselves rubbing shoulders with Albert Einstein or given the chance to make a telescope or identify a fossil or inspect the innards of a robot.
The International Year of Chemistry (IYC) Committee at Cape Breton University has teamed up with other CBU Science departments to bring Science Rendezvous, also known as the Mall of Science, to the Sydney area.
This free event has plenty of interactive, exciting, and, yes, educational activities to interest the scientifically curious of any age. As well, local actors playing various famous scientists from history will mingle and converse with participants.
“Science Rendezvous is a national event and as the International Year of Chemistry Coordinator here at CBU I wanted to make sure we took part,” says Dr. Stephanie MacQuarrie, Assistant Professor in Organic Chemistry at CBU. “I have been organizing Science Rendezvous here at CBU, but nationally it is organized by different universities and businesses.”
Dr. MacQuarrie also says, “It is going to be a family friendly event with exciting demonstrations and interactive exhibits celebrating how science plays a role in our everyday lives in everything from chemistry, health, biology, art, math, physics and psychology.”
CBU’s Mall of Science will provide an opportunity for those who engage in activity to find out how robots work, make a telescope, walk on water, identify fossils and much more. Also taking place is The Great Science Challenge, and organizers invite visitors to the Mall to sign-up a team for a chance to win great prizes.
Science Rendezvous is a free grassroots festival targeted at all ages that started in the Greater Toronto Area in 2008. This year, activities will be integrated with events held across Canada celebrating the International Year of Chemistry.
Dr. MacQuarrie says the event has enjoyed great support from sponsors including Maxxam, Dillon, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates, the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, Stantec, Planet Kids, and The Center for Sustainable Energy and the Environment at CBU. She especially thanks Melva Daley from the MayFlower Mall.
“Hands-on is the best way to understand and experience science. I encourage everyone to come visit us at Science Rendezvous,” she says. “Science is all around us – let’s embrace it!”
For more information on Science Rendezvous visit sciencerendezvous.ca.
