2025 STEAM Big Award

The 2025 STEAM Big! Award recognizes individuals and groups who make up the coordinating team responsible for creating a truly outstanding Science Rendezvous event.

The coordinating team’s vision, creativity and leadership were essential in the development of a successful virtual event that ignited an interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), in their community and around the world. Science Rendezvous is honoured to have such dedicated individuals and groups share our vision and mission. As a part of a collaborative national model, event coordinators across the country will benefit and grow from these exceptional coordinating teams.

2025 STEAM Big Award Winner

Science Rendezvous at Ontario Tech University and Durham College

The Science Rendezvous team at Ontario Tech University and Durham College embraced the challenge of STEAM Big! in 2025, going above and beyond to deliver an exceptional and captivating event.

Science Rendezvous 2025 offered a wide range of experiences that connected everyday materials to big scientific concepts. From Sewer Science, where participants explored wastewater treatment and coagulation, to activities like Walking Water, Pepper Germs, Secret Messages, and Aquatic Fireworks, the programming encouraged visitors to ask questions, make predictions, and see science in action. Crowd-favourite demonstrations also returned, including Pop Bottle Rockets, Vortex Cannons, Candy Bombs, Mega Volcano Eruptions, and Grow Your Own Flowers, engaging families, children, and future scientists of all ages.

The event brought together faculty from both the core sciences and social sciences, alongside many community partners. The Automotive Centre for Excellence offered its popular tours, the Durham Region Astronomical Association shared solar telescope views, and Reptilia introduced visitors to live reptiles. With food trucks on site and so much happening throughout the day, it quickly became the kind of event people wanted to stay at and experience fully!

Science Rendezvous Durham continues to grow year after year because of the dedication, passion, creativity, and resilience of the organizing team and volunteers. The student volunteers, in particular, bring energy, kindness, and enthusiasm to every interaction. Whether leading activities, encouraging young participants, or helping everything run smoothly behind the scenes, they helped turn a great event into something truly memorable.

The Science Rendezvous team at Ontario Tech University and Durham College has once again demonstrated their resilience and their commitment to making science accessible, engaging, and fun for all. This outstanding event is a testament to the dedication and passion of the entire team. Thank you for your leadership, enthusiasm, and for being an integral part of the Science Rendezvous community.

We are looking forward to seeing what you will come up with in 2026!

Administrative Support Team
  • Kara Woods
  • Michael Jeffrey
  • Stephanie Mavilla
  • Anita Nutikka
  • Clayton Jakins
  • CeLynn Bowman
  • Andrea Colagiacomo
  • Lisa Ogg
  • Kevin Adkinson
  • Ken Wilson
  • Jacquelyn Dupuis
  • Gigi Law
  • Bart Lucyk
  • Gaury Patel
  • Kerry Moore
  • John Neil
  • Heather Nelson
Sponsors & Partners
  • Sayal Electronics
  • Reptilia
Outstanding Volunteers
As nominated by site coordinators
  • Zahra Mortaji
    5+ year volunteer
  • Patrick Edge
    5+ year volunteer
  • George Stamatiou
    5+ year volunteer
  • Erin Smith
    5+ year volunteer
  • Richard Bartholomew
    5+ year volunteer
  • Kevin Coulter
    5+ year volunteer
  • Hendrick De Haan
    5+ year volunteer
  • Joseph MacMillan
    5+ year volunteer
  • Olena Zenkina
    2+ year volunteer
  • Nicole Gaul
    2+ year volunteer
  • Ryan Sopha-Wright
    2+ year volunteer
  • Eric Qin
    2+ year volunteer
  • Shiyami Selvapavan
    2+ year volunteer
  • Tuirani Kerfelec
    2+ year volunteer
  • Ankur Chauhan
    2+ year volunteer
  • Winston Stairs
    2+ year volunteer
  • Maisha Rahman
    2+ year volunteer
  • Sandra Fang
    2+ year volunteer
  • Gabriel Benavides Tellez
  • Liam Swann
  • Mauricio Escalante
  • Daniel Craig
  • Angelo Thanthrimudali
  • Spencer Hang
  • Lauren Song
  • Anne Bernadeth Almonte
  • Jessica Hernandez Gunn

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