FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March, 2009
Please add to your event (festival/event and cultural listings for week of MAY 3, 2009)

Science Rendezvous Turns on Public Discovery
Toronto and Greater Toronto Area (GTA) open the doors to innovations in science

Science Rendezvous – Where People and Science Meet

TORONTO, March, 2009 — On Saturday, May 9, 2009, the 2nd annual, interactive and ground-breaking event, Science Rendezvous, opens up the doors on the world of innovation and discovery for all the public to see. Leaders in science and technology, representing award-winning institutions across the GTA take science to the streets, inviting the public to engage in and experience the fascinating and mesmerizing accomplishments of world-class research and activities.

Science Rendezvous, one of only three events of its kind in North America launched with its inaugural festival on May 10, 2008. The partnering institutes and organizations expand on their success of the inaugural year, which attracted thousands of public attendees.

The festival activities fall into four primary categories: INVENTour; Café Scientifque; Sipping Science-talk to the scientist and Malls of Science. These events and other unique experiences take place at various sites in downtown Toronto throughout the greater Toronto region. Consult www.sciencerendezvous.ca for specific locations and updates.

INVENTour is perfect for families and curious minds of every age – hands-on experiences, demonstrations, lab tours – curious encounters with science for everyone, taking place at select university and public locations across the Greater Toronto Area.

Ontario Science Centre delivers Café Scientifique – a forum for debating science issues in a club setting. Not a lecture but engaging discussion of a particular issue. The Café Scientifique is committed to promoting public engagement with science and making science accountable.

Ontario’s Let’s Talk Science organization provides Sipping Science, offering adults the opportunity to interact, discuss and debate current science and technology issues and topics with science professionals. Leaders in the scientific community engage the public in hot topics of the day, the strange and unusual to the important and timely questions affecting our everyday life and the future.

Families with youngsters can experience Malls of Science hosted by Scientists in School at various major mall locations across GTA. Science stations are set up to feature participatory, hands-on experiences and demonstrations of science in everyday life.

Science Rendezvous is an engaging, day-long outing for all ages with a vision of creating an atmosphere of familiarity and awareness of science throughout the general public. The long-term goal is to direct our youth along a path that will enable them to succeed and thrive in today’s innovative and knowledge-based culture, securing a place in the future job markets and economies.

“Science and technology are around us all the time in everything we do,” said Mayor David Miller. “Toronto has become a centre of excellence for this important sector and the contribution of this industry is helping make Toronto a livable city. Their commitment to better our lives and help make Toronto a science hub demonstrates the vision of the institutions that have chosen Toronto their home. I encourage you on May 9th to visit an event near you to see science in action and meet the scientists of today and tomorrow.”

For updates and information on Science Rendezvous 2009, visit www.sciencerendezvous.ca .

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For more information, contact:

Harim Kim
Project Manager
416 978 1457
hkim@optics.utoronto.ca

Bill Bobek
Director
416 978 1457
wbobek@optics.utoronto.ca

Science Rendezvous would like to thank the funding and participatory partners for their gracious contributions in financial and in-kind support: Institute for Optical Science, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada Promoscience, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Toronto Region Research Alliance, University Health Network, Ministry of Research and Innovation, Royal Canadian Institute

Partners in Science Rendezvous: Let’s Talk Science, Mount Sinai – Samuel Lunenfeld Research, Ontario Science Centre, Ryerson, Scientists in School, Sci-Tech Ontario, St. Michael’s Hospital, Treehouse Group, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, University of Toronto, Visions of Science, York University

Science Rendezvous ‘09: A Saturday of Science!
A public celebration of Science research, discovery, innovation and education

Science Rendezvous – Where People and Science Meet

TORONTO, May 6, 2009 – On Saturday May 9, Science Rendezvous, a day-long celebration of science, invites the public and science aficionados to come out and take part in the largest exposition of science-related events ever assembled in Ontario. Over 600 volunteers and leaders in science and technology, representing leading Canadian educational institutions and organizations from the GTA, Ontario, and Canada come together to make Science Rendezvous a unique and entertaining, free public event celebrating the accomplishments of science. This year Science Rendezvous expands both locations and programming, allowing the public more opportunities to engage in the wide array of free participatory activities and events. See www.sciencerendezvous.ca.

The public of all ages can come out and take in some of the marvels of state of the art research going on right in their own back yard. Science is made available through a number of fun and innovative ways. From on-campus festivals and INVENTours at University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Ryerson, U of T and York University, to Mt. Sinai and SickKids where people can have an engaging hands-on experiences and look into the fascinating accomplishments of world-class research, education and off-beat science-related activities.
“Scientific research is the foundation for innovation,” said Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson. “Our government is focused on supporting out best researchers and entrepreneurs, because we know places that invest in innovation are home to the most rewarding jobs, the strongest economies and best quality of life. Science Rendezvous is an excellent opportunity to shine a light on the value of Ontario science.”

This year, Science Rendezvous takes to the streets with Sipping Science in a variety of café, market and business locations. Malls of Science are in six locations from Pickering to St. Catharines, Guelph to Newmarket, Scarborough to Oakville where youngsters can experience hands-on, science activities all day long. From the serious side of a Café Scientifique discussion to the second-childhood adventure of a Grown-up Science Fair, adults from all walks of life can experience the discovery process of science on many levels.

Professor R. J. Dwayne Miller, Director for the Institute of Optical Sciences and Chair of Science Rendezvous states, “Science Rendezvous is an annual event focused on the promotion of the importance of Science to a modern society. We intend this event to serve as culture transformation — from science adverse — to kindling a life long interest in science. Science Rendezvous gives everyone direct exposure to ACCESSIBLE science. In particular, it is an important opportunity for our young people and their parents to talk directly with the scientists themselves and to learn first hand that Ontario is home to world leading research and give kids a “Can Do Science” experience. “

It’s extraordinary day of over 200 free events taking place in over 20 outdoor and indoor venues across the region, engaging the curious nature of adults and kids in a unique day of fascinating exploration and participation.
For updates and information on Science Rendezvous 2009, visit www.sciencerendezvous.ca.

Contact:

Harim Kim
Program Manager Science Rendezvous
416 -978-1457
hkim@optics.utoronto.ca

or

Bill Bobek
Director
wbobek@optics.utoronto.ca
Science Rendezvous operates as a not-for-profit organization.

Science Rendezvous would like to thank the Festival’s funding, participatory and supporting partners for their gracious contributions in financial and in-kind support.

Festival Partners: The Hospital for Sick Children, Mount Sinai Hospital-Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Ryerson University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, University of Toronto, York University.

Sponsors: Institute for Optical Sciences, Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada Promoscience, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Toronto Region Research Alliance, University Health Network, Government of Ontario/Ministry of Research and Innovation, Royal Canadian Institute.

Supporting Partners: City of Toronto/Toronto 175, Let’s Talk Science, Ontario Science Centre, Scientists in School, Sci-Tech Ontario/Visions of Science, The Treehouse Group.

Media Sponsors: Discovery Channel, NOW, City Parent, Toronto Community News.