2019 Outstanding Volunteers

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Science Rendezvous would not be possible without our passionate and dedicated volunteers. Nearly 6,000 researchers, undergraduate and graduate students make these events come to life each year all across Canada.

Our volunteer coordinating teams commit nearly 8 months of planning to develop Science Rendezvous events in their community; often in addition to their full time employment, research, studies and teaching schedules. Our passionate and creative volunteers are really what make Science Rendezvous so special.

Scientists, researchers and students come together to bring their love for STEAM to life in interactive and exciting ways. We cannot thank our volunteers enough for what they do. Below we have profiled the top coordinators, and exceptional volunteers at each event site as nominated by their peers.

Outstanding Volunteers

Agnes Coutinho

Science Rendezvous University of Guelph-Humber
Akshit Suri

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I am studying Biological Sciences and Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I am currently doing a research project under Dr. Gerhard Gries and Andreas Fischer at SFU which involves chemical communication in female false black widow spiders. I am also taking classes as a part of my undergraduate degree and involved in SFU Science outreach program.

Why Science Rendezvous?
I am involved in Science outreach program at my university and that is one of the reason I decided to do SR. I also like to connect with people especially with the kids and share my knowledge and passion for Science. SR gave me a good platform to connect with larger audiences and show my love for science and teaching.

How and when did you get involved?
I got involved in 2017 as my professor told me about SR.

Favourite memory?
My favourite memory is looking at all the amazed faces at cheek cell extraction and viewing under microscope station

What is your favourite demonstration?
All of them (Cell activity, cell organelles roll on dice, cheek cell activity)

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
2019 SR was amazing and full of energy, yes! I’ll be back in 2020.
Amer Johri

Queen’s University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I am a Queen’s University Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology. I obtained my Echocardiography specialized fellowship training from Harvard University, Boston, MA. I am a Board member of the American Society of Echocardiography and Director of the Cardiovascular Imaging Network at Queen’s University (www.CINQLab.com).

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
In addition to Science Rendezvous, I have participated in outreach by providing cardiology and cardiovascular health sessions for High School Students through the Queen’s summer Enrichment Program. This year I will be providing cardiology and cardiovascular health sessions at the local elementary level (Amherst public school).
My lab enjoys outreach by providing educational videos at our Youtube channel. Please take the opportunity to visit this channel showcasing important aspects of cardiovascular health for our communities and young people including sport safety as well as highlighting our experience with Science Rendezvous!

Why Science Rendezvous?
I love to participate in Science Rendezvous because I am passionate about teaching kids about careers in health technology while promoting cardiovascular health. Our approach to engaging kids is through the use of hands-on tactile engagement – we give kids the chance to directly apply the probe to a model heart and then a human heart. We usually have multiple demonstrations at our booth and each year we also a bit of ‘Art’ to think about STEAM. The origami station is a hit with the younger kids that stop by, thus ensuring that our booth offers interesting activities and knowledge from very young kids all the way to teen and adult levels. For example, this past year we also had plasticized (preserved) human hearts from donors provided to us for education. These were all showcased with careful permission from out Anatomy Museum and highly respectful manner to allow our communities to learn from this treasure.

How and when did you get involved?
I have been involved in with Science Rendezvous for the last 3-4 years, initially by supporting other booths and then by creating our own. Our booth has grown in size and complexity highlighting cardiovascular STEM and health and is a group activity by my entire lab (>10 graduate students, undergraduate students, physician trainees, part time and full time research assistants – all volunteers).

Favourite memory?
I have 2 favourite memories – seeing the glow of surprise and wonder when a child first sees a beating heart in our human model after being shown how to apply the ultrasound probe themselves. Secondly I remember at one Science Rendezvous, one of my students (a tall, stoic varsity rower) was about to pack up at the end of the day, but then he was inundated by a group of children, begging him to not pack up yet and to continue showing them how to use and explore the ultrasound technology. I was so pleased by the interest level of these children climbing all over my student, and by the patient, nurturing qualities brought out in this individual by this experience.

What is your favourite demonstration?
One of my favourite demonstrations at science rendezvous (other than our booth) was the dinosaur cast this past year – magnificent!

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
Promotion and encouragement of pursuit of STEM is critically important to stimulate learning in our young and to enrich the fabric of our community resources. I want to show kids that learning about science and health is fun and anyone can do it. The work Kim and Lynda have done for Science Rendezvous is incredible – thank you!
Amy Jenne

University of Toronto Scarborough and Let’s Talk Science with the Toronto Zoo

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I have my Honours bachelor of science in integrated science and chemistry from McMaster University. Now I am pursuing my PhD in Environmental Chemistry at the University of Toronto Scarborough where I examine the impacts aquatic contamination on living organisms using analytical techniques.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
Broadly through my research I work on method development for new techniques of studying organisms in-vivo, and examining how their metabolites change with exposure to external contaminants. However, I also have a position with Let’s Talk Science where we plan and host STEM-based outreach events for the community. Last year at our site we reached over 12000 people through our various events including a magical-themed Halloween event, an arts festival at the Harbourfront Center downtown, and our SR event at the Toronto Zoo. I also have a position in the Biology department where I am helping to start up a pedagogy study that looks at adding an experiential learning module into four undergraduate classes where students are tasked with designing outreach activities across four disciplines and presenting it to community members.

Why Science Rendezvous?
As part of Let’s Talk Science we have created a partnership with the university and the Toronto Zoo. The three of us work together to create integrated programming, and Science Rendezvous has an amazing platform to do this. Science Rendezvous wants to provide a platform for STEM outreach to be accessible to all, and being able to participate in this national event in even a small part is amazing.

How and when did you get involved?
I got involved as part of Let’s Talk Science in August 2017. In this role I have now organized and run two Science Rendezvous events with the Toronto Zoo and University of Toronto Scarborough.

Favourite memory?
At our event this past year we brought owl pellets for participants to dissect to learn about the species that the owls eat and bones in general. It was a lot of fun to see children have no reservations about this and jump in to learn, where the parents were much more squeamish. However, even they got into it and all participants had the opportunity to learn about these creatures and how they digest food and what that actually looks and feels like.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Last year I created a new station within our zoo programming where I brought in two aquatic organisms that are currently being used by graduate students to study current issues in the world. One was the organisms I use and study, Daphnia magna, and the other were Planaria (small flat worms). I had graduate students from the university at this station and they spoke about these species and what they actually research all while enabling participants to interact with them and examine them under microscopes. I believe that this really makes current important research accessible to the public in a way that is fun and that people may not expect. I think it also breaks down barriers for some that may think higher education in science may be inaccessible in their current lives.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
Science Rendezvous this past year was tons of fun, participants and volunteers had a blast and I can’t wait for 2020.
Andreas Fischer
Annette Tavares

10-Year Volunteer

Science Rendezvous Durham

Academic Background:
Stream Ecology/Zoology

Employed at:
Ontario Tech University (formerly University of Ontario Institute of Technology – we have a new name now!

Why Science Rendezvous?
Because it is the quintessential science outreach event!

How and when did you get involved?
As a volunteer presenter from 2008 to 2012, and then as organizer when previous organizer moved on to a different university.

What is your favourite demonstration?
I love them all but if I had to choose, I’d say the Biodiversity Gallery, followed by Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream and the Forensic Fun Zone as close seconds.

From Science Rendezvous: Thank you Annette Tavares for being a true Science Rendezvous champion. A 10+ year volunteer, and still as passionate and excited to share your love of STEAM each and every year. Science Rendezvous Durham is so lucky to have you on their team. Keep on STEAMing Big!
Annika Trimble

Aurora Research Institute – Inuvik, NWT
Arjan Banerjee

5-Year Volunteer

Science Rendezvous, brought to you by Let’s Talk Science at the University of Toronto Mississauga
Barbara Zeeb
Bob Chin

10-Year Volunteer

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I graduated in Physics (BSc) eons ago (1974) and got my high school Teaching diploma the next year (UBC).

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I volunteer at all Kwantlen Open houses, the Kwantlen Physics Booth at Maker’s Faire, Volunteer for Fraser Valley Science Fair (high school), Kwantlen Science Challenge, Kwantlen booths at the mall, JPEG competitions, various drop in groups to Kwantlen……and of course Science Rendezvous!

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
Science Rendezvous is my favourite event, its format allows me to do set show with a large audience (I am a bit of a ham). Being part of the Physics Dept. we have all the best “toys” that usually enthrall and educate the public, old and young. I was the lab manager/tech for the Physics Dept. at Kwantlen for 25 years, I retired 3 years ago. While there I built many demonstrations for our students, for outreach projects and was responsible for all our equipment. I was a natural for doing all the demonstrations.

Favourite memory?
I can’t say there was any singular moments but the laughter, ooohs and ahhhs from the public is rewarding. The most rewarding is when you can see the Eureka! moments on their faces.

What is your favourite demonstration?
My favourite demo by far is the Reuben’s tube, aka the Flame Tube. I built it about 9 years ago and it turned out to be a public favourite. It is a demo using propane in a tube reacting to sound sent down the tube. I can make the flames on top make standing waves (see pictures) or make the flames pulsate to the beat of popular tunes. I give a quick lessons on resonance with the standing wave part and entertain the audience with the music part. To further engage the audience I give little prizes for naming the tune.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
I will definitely be back for the 2020 Rendezvous. Though I have been retired for 3 years being connected to the Physics Dept. at Kwantlen is an important part of my active retirement. I still volunteer for all outreach activities and still perform the Reuben’s Tube show. Rendezvous at Kwantlen has grown each subsequent year and is a fabulous event for reaching and educating the public on all the STEM studies. It also lets the general public see what goes on behind the doors of our educational institutes.
Christine Bibic
Colin Lewis
Cynthia Henson

5-Year Volunteer

Simon Fraser University

What is your academic background?
Master in Business Administration, Bachelors degree in Broadcast Communication, Provincial Instructors Diploma program (teaching and learning)

Where are you employed?
Simon Fraser University – Faculty of Science, Manager for Outreach and Engagement. Work experience includes post-secondary teaching, curriculum design, work on student-engaged learning, brand management and event planning and coordination

What research (outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
Outreach and Engagement initiatives for the Faculty of Science at SFU

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
SR is an opportunity to engage the general public in science through creative hands-on activities and demonstrations, inspire their curiosity to learn science and deepen their appreciation for science applications in everyday life. Started organizing SR events for SFU in 2014.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Chemistry Magic Shows!
Daniel Szulc

5-Year Volunteer

University of Toronto – St. George Campus
David Sud

5-Year Volunteer

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I have a PhD in organic chemistry from SFU and I now teach full time at KPU as a chemistry instructor.

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
I have been doing Science rendezvous every year since 2014, and started because I had enjoyed doing outreach in schools and at SFU since grad school.

What is your favourite demonstration?
My favourite demo is probably the flame test that gives many different colours as it is very visually striking and works very well in our dark auditorium setup at KPU.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
I will definitely be back for 2020. It is great to have kids come after the demonstrations and ask some questions. Many are a lot keener than I was at that age!
Dilini Subasinghe

Western University
Erin McConnell

Science Rendezvous Burlington-Hamilton

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I completed a B.Sc. In neuroscience with a minor in chemistry, and a Ph.D. In chemistry under the supervision of Dr. Maria DeRosa at Carleton University in Ottawa. Now I’m working as a postdoctoral fellow at McMaster University under the supervision of Dr. Yingfu Li.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
My research focuses on using DNA, the molecule which encodes genetic information, in a non conventional way to make devices which can detect bacteria, that makes us sick, in water. I currently volunteer with the Canadian Association of Girls in Science (Hamilton Chapter), and have some one-of events planned with other organizations.

Why Science Rendezvous?
I love Science Rendezvous because it facilitates a national community of science outreach. By facilitating events all over Canada on the same day, it’s a great way to highlight the wonderful science, and science outreach organizations in Canada. For the 2019 event I started out the day running an event in Burlington and finished off the day watching a chemistry magic show at Carleton University in Ottawa.

How and when did you get involved?
I’ve been involved in a few Science Rendezvous events but most recently I was on the organizing committee for an event held at the Burlington Public Library. I got involved through other science outreach initiatives.

Favourite memory?
I love talking science with children. They have such enthusiasm and genuine curiosity. It’s always inspiring to see how excited they are when doing hands on demos.

What is your favourite demonstration?
That’s a hard one, there are so many! My favourite demonstration to do is elephant’s toothpaste, but my favourite demo to do with participants is to drop food colour in to milk then touch it with a soapy q-tip. They love to see the colours whirl around the plate.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
Science Rendezvous is an amazing initiative. I will absolutely be back for 2020!
Esther Lengkeek

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I was completing the prerequisites for the nursing program for the last year, and I have now been accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. I’m getting some great experience in home health right now and am so excited to start with the BSN program in January.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
This was my first formal introduction to STEM outreach, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m excited to hopefully help out with Science Rendezvous at KPU next year!

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
My biology professor suggested it would be a good experience, especially if you like kids and are passionate about science. I love sharing learning opportunities with kids, and with four younger siblings I’ve had plenty of practice. I know my 7 and 3 year old sisters had a blast at Science Rendezvous the previous year and I wanted to be a part of that. It’s so valuable to cultivate a love for science at a young age.

Favourite memory?
In the biology lab, I got to show people a few different dissected organs. Brains, eyes, lungs, and hearts are so intricate and complex, and I love seeing them up close. One of my favorite things was when, instead of thinking it was gross, a little kid would lean in closer and ask to touch it. I was so excited to get them gloves and show them all the different parts and see them connecting it altogether.

What is your favourite demonstration?
My favorite demonstration was the live dissection. How often does one have a chance to watch someone cut up a sheep’s eye or a pig’s heart and have them explain all the different parts and how it all works to you?

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
It was a busy, busy day, but I loved how many people we were able to get excited about science. I’m excited to be involved again in 2020, maybe in the nursing department this time! Thanks for coordinating this great program!
Francesca Pang
George Stamatiou

5-Year Volunteer

Science Rendezvous Durham , Durham College

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I am an Associate Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Science at Ontario Tech University.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
In addition to Science Rendezvous, I have been involved with Science Expo and the Glenforest STEM conference.

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
Science Rendezvous is a great way to promote science awareness as well as science culture to young children. I started volunteering for Science Rendezvous in 2012 when I joined the university. I was asked by one of the organizers if I could help design several new workshops and activities that would spark interest in little kids for science. I have been helping out with the with the workshops and activities ever since and in the past three years I have also been one of the organizers for Science Rendezvous at Ontario Tech University.

Favourite memory?
Seeing the expression on kids’ faces when they see for the first time through a microscope what insects and bug look up-close in the biodiversity gallery.

What is your favourite demonstration?
My favourite demonstration is Genes in a Bottle, where kids extract their own DNA from their saliva and at the end of the workshop; they get to put their DNA stands in a necklace and take it home.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
One of the greatest things that I have seen from helping out at Science Rendezvous is how transformative experiential learning can be. It teaches kids to think critically and challenge themselves, but also welcomes failure. Kids learn that failing the first time does not prevent them from trying again because sometimes it can take several tries before they succeed and with hard work comes success. I am very excited to say that I will be back in 2020 to help organize the event and I am looking forward to another successful participant turnout.
Hannah Ramsay
Harley Bray

University of Manitoba
Hilary Hamilton

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I am a part of SuperNOVA at Dalhousie University, an not-for-profit initiative in the Engineering department that strives to reach ALL youth in Atlantic Canada with meaningful engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
SuperNOVA at Dalhousie University offers summer camp programs in 6 fields of science, year-round school and community centre programs, girl-targeted programming, teacher training and more that provide youth with fun and rewarding experiences in STEM and nurture a life-long love of exploration, creativity, and academic achievement.

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
Science Rendezvous is a well attended community event where we can reach diverse audiences with STEM engagement while garnering support for science literacy and for SuperNOVA as an important community organization serving all youth. I have been a part of the team from SuperNOVA at Dalhousie University that has worked with the Science Rendezvous festival for several years and are keen to identify our organization as a resource and service for anyone interested in learning more about the STEM field.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Each year, SuperNOVA has set up a community engagement table at Halifax Seaport’s Farmers’ Market where we’re able to engage with a lot of people who wouldn’t normally attend our programs. It’s nice being able to surprise participants with something they’ve never heard or seen in science before!

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
We’re very excited to start planning again for our involvement in 2020!
James Zhou

5-Year Volunteer

Simon Fraser University

Nominated by Cynthia Henson

We would like to recongnize James Zhou from SFU Department of Chemistry for his outstanding role in spearheading the Chemistry Magic Show and all Chemistry table exhibits each year.

James Zhou is the Lead Workshop Facilitator for the Science in Action outreach program of the Faculty of Science in Simon Fraser University. He designs and teaches interactive science activities for various K-12 groups coming to the university. He completed his Masters degree in Materials and Surface Chemistry from SFU in 2014, and his Bachelors degree in Chemistry from UBC in 2010. James has been with the Science in Action program since 2012, and has been involved with Science Rendezvous activities since then.

Thank you James!
Jessica Sonnenberg

5-Year Volunteer

University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Keely Maddock
Kevin Stamplecoskie

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
Bachelor’s Degree: Honours Co-operative Chemistry at the University of Waterloo
Ph.D: Chemistry at the University of Ottawa
Postdoctoral Work: University of Notre Dame, ND, Indiana
Current: Assistant Professor in Chemistry at Queen’s (and living my actual dream! 🙂 )

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
My group’s research mission is to generate new photonic materials where we use physical chemistry to investigate materials and design new ones for harnessing solar energy and other energy sources, as well as for advanced biomedical applications.

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
The opportunity for Science Rendezvous came to me very serendipitously from a colleague, Prof. Philip Jessop, who has been performing magic shows here in Kingston and in California for many years. Prof. Jessop has been a wonderful champion of chemistry and science and that is only to say that I had very big shoes to fill. My first experience was Science Rendezvous 2017 and since then have taken part in Kingston’s Science Rendezvous each year, and have brought the show to summer programs for kids and a few classrooms; it is all very exciting and rewarding!

Favourite memory?
My first Science Rendezvous will be very hard to top. I had never actually attended anything like this before. It was amazing to see so many young, ambitious people interested in something that I am so passionate about. I was instantly hooked! I am the only career scientist in my family and as an additional bonus my sister was able to bring her two children to Science Rendezvous. It has been great to be able to share a little of what I do with family for really the first time, and in such an exciting platform.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Well, we get to light a lot of things on fire, so it is difficult to say which demo I like the best. When we ignite magnesium inside of a block of dry ice, the light effect is intense. Even if all of the lights were off in the arena, there would be plenty of light generated by this reaction. The part that excites me most is the chemistry involved though. Most fires require oxygen from air as fuel, but this fire is so hot that it can actually strip oxygen from CO2, a rare reaction that leads to a pretty exciting demonstration.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
It really is all about the children and nurturing their excitement in STEM. I think we did just that at Science Rendezvous, one of the largest attractions in Kingston for the year, with once again thousands of excited children and adults satisfying their thirst for science! I will certainly be back in 2020 with the magic show and hopefully a few new and exciting demos.
Kevin Wood
Kim Garrison

Queen’s University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I have a Psychology BA from Queen’s University and I was employed as the Operations Manager for the Clinical Simulation Centre for the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s for 9 years. As of Monday, Dec. 2, I am working at the Clinical Education Centre.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
As the Operations Manager, I coordinated the promotion, communication and marketing around the Clinical Simulation Centre. That includes outreach and recruitment pieces for the School of Medicine.

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
We responded to an email request sent several years ago. Science Rendezvous has always been a delightful way to educate the public on science related projects and learning opportunities.

Favourite memory?
Watching a long line of youngsters waiting to try our trainers.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
The CSC will be back in 2020. The new Operations Manager will organize the crew.
Kimberly Sutherland Mills and the KFPL team!
Kira Howe

Simon Fraser University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I am a 4th year undergraduate student at SFU.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I teach plate tectonics workshops to high school student groups in addition to my courses.

Why Science Rendezvous?
Volunteering at similar campus events (like SFU’s Science Spooktacular) was such a positive experience for me. Watching kids discover an interest in science is really rewarding.

How and when did you get involved?
My first Science Rendezvous was the spring of 2019.

Favourite memory?
Watching kids trying out the tsunami channel my husband built. It was pretty splashy but they really loved it!

What is your favourite demonstration?
It’s tough to decide between the tsunami channel and the shake table where kids try out the stability of toothpick and marshmallow structures they’ve built.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
Great work on showing kids what’s so great about science! I am looking forward to Science Rendezvous 2020.
Kyla Smith

University of Manitoba
Laura Benninger

10-Year Volunteer

Durham College

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I am employed at Durham College as a Science Professor and Program Coordinator. I hold a MSc degree in Applied Bioscience.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I am regularly involved in outreach within the School of Science and Engineering Technology at Durham College.

Why Science Rendezvous?
Science Rendezvous is a wonderful opportunity to open our doors to the community and showcase science to all ages.

How and when did you get involved?
I got involved in Science Rendezvous in 2008 while a graduate student at Ontario Tech University (formerly University of Ontario Institute of Technology). I have been participating ever since, and am proud to have assisted in bringing Science Rendezvous to Durham College.

Favourite memory?
Every year creates favourite memories! It is too hard to choose.

What is your favourite demonstration?
My favourite demonstration is the Dry Ice Rainbow!

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
2019 was a wonderful event and I am very honoured to have been a part of it. I will be back in 2020!
Lidya Salim

Durham College , Science Rendezvous Durham

National SciComm Team 2021

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I recently completed a PhD in Applied Bioscience at Ontario Tech University, where I currently work as an Educational Developer.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I worked in the Desaulniers Lab at Ontario Tech. My research involved the chemical synthesis of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), small strands of RNA used to silence or reduce the expression of specific genes. I specifically worked on improving their delivery to target cells and tissues. I was also part of the Women in Science group at Ontario Tech as well as a founding member of the Ontario Tech-Trent Women in Chemistry (OTT-WIC) Chapter of the Canadian Women in Chemistry (CWIC) Network. Through these groups, we aimed to promote equity, diversity and inclusion in science. We also participated in various local events focused on STEM outreach and collaborate with the Durham District School Board to deliver workshops to elementary and high school students. Last, but not least, I am part of the Science Rendezvous team at Ontario Tech and Durham College.

Why Science Rendezvous?
Science Rendezvous is a one-a-kind event and the ultimate celebration of Science. I love the fact that so many institutions and organizations across Canada can come together to execute this amazing festival. We make science accessible for all through a variety of workshops, tours, activities and demos, and our attendees truly enjoy it!

How and when did you get involved?
I first heard about Science Rendezvous from one of my undergrad instructors, Annette Tavares, who is our lead organizer at Ontario Tech. I have always had a passion for STEM outreach and thought Science Rendezvous would be a great fit, so signed up as a volunteer. I have had the opportunity to perform different demos – from levitating orbs to artificial snow – and even helped develop a few activities. For the past couple years, I have been part of the organizing committee at Ontario Tech and have helped with the logistics of the event. It truly gets more fun every year!

Favourite memory?
My little brother Ryan is a Science Rendezvous fanatic, and he started volunteering with us a couple years ago. As a big sister, it’s been awesome to see him get involved and become so curious about Science thanks to this event.

What is your favourite demonstration?
We have so many great activities at the Ontario Tech/Durham College campus, but I particularly love our anatomy demos (journey into the brain, you gotta have heart, body building 101, breathe in breathe out, to name a few). I may be biased, but I was an Anatomy TA after all. We also have a really cool biodiversity gallery and a very hands-on forensics fun zone!

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
Science Rendezvous seems to get better every year. It’s great to see the enthusiasm and support from our community. It is so rewarding, and can’t wait for the next one! I will definitely be back in 2020.
Linda Lamoureux

Queen’s University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
As an elementary teacher (B.Ed, OCT) who teaches in non-traditional classroom environments, I am currently employed at Queen’s University as the Outreach Coordinator of the Enrichment Studies Unit where we provide opportunities for students in grades 5 to 12 to explore future careers in STEAM while experience university life on campus.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I volunteer on the Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Science Fair as the Chair (4 years) and committee member (8 years) and at Beyond Classrooms Kingston as the Chair (3 years), committee member (7 years), and co-founder. Throughout my career I have used science to promote and nurture a child’s wonder from variety of experiential education initiatives including an International Polar Year project bringing scientists to elementary schools in Canada’s High Arctic and working with Polar Educators International.

Why Science Rendezvous?
I became involved to Science Rendezvous because it is a day of fun and science. There is nothing better!

How and when did you get involved?
I jumped into Science Rendezvous in 2012 by bringing a group of FLASF Science Fair participants to demonstrate their winning projects. In 2016, I created a critical thinking booth where the Enrichment Studies Unit engages children and youth in team work and problem solving. Both booths continue to be involved with Science Rendezvous and we are looking forward to 2020.

Favourite memory?
My favourite memory is a Nobel Laureate and a federal member of parliament working with children to discover how to move a marble down a hallway with only a few short plastic tubes. Science is truly for everyone.

What is your favourite demonstration?
The Chemistry Demo! Big explosions, marvelous mixtures, and children with wide eyes waiting to see what happens next.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
I am looking forward to being part of Science Rendezvous 2020 as we bring even bigger science than 2019’s Science Rendezvous with Dippy the Dinosaur!
Lindsay Beyger

Science Rendezvous Durham , Durham College
Lisa Breen

Memorial University of Newfoundland
Meghan Lysko

10-Year Volunteer

University of Toronto – St. George Campus
Melissa Cruise
Michelle Bondy

5-Year Volunteer

University of Windsor

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I have a BSc and MSc in Biology, and a Bachelor of Education. I am an Experiential Learning Specialist for the School of the Environment and Faculty of Science at UWindsor.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
My educational background is biology – for my Masters I studied population genetics and population ecology in songbirds. I am no longer doing scientific research though in my current role I still get to engage in research projects related to teaching and learning. I teach experiential learning courses for undergraduate science students, and I coordinate several outreach programs and events in the Faculty of Science, including Science Rendezvous of course!

Why Science Rendezvous?
Science Rendezvous is so exciting and important because it brings together a wide variety of groups and individuals in our community who want to celebrate STEM! At the UWindsor event, we have research labs and student groups participate, as well as community groups from off-campus. We all come together to share our love for science with the youth and families who visit throughout the day. An event like Science Rendezvous highlights how collaborative the scientific community is, which is important for young people to see.

How and when did you get involved?
I began volunteering for Science Rendezvous Windsor in 2012. I was introduced to Dr. Chitra Rangan, who organized the first Science Rendezvous Windsor in 2010 and had continued to serve as the Faculty Advisor. I was a volunteer that year, and loved being a part of it. I was lucky enough to get hired by the University of Windsor the following year and it became part of my job to help organize the event. It was a big jump from volunteer to organizer but I learned a lot from Dr. Rangan.

Favourite memory?
I have a lot of good memories from various Science Rendezvous events over the years, I’m having a hard time picking just one! When I think back on some of those memories the reason they stand out is the people that are in them. I have had the pleasure of working with fantastic students, staff, faculty, volunteers, and fellow science outreach professionals from the community because of Science Rendezvous and I am grateful for that.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Fire tornado! Dr. Steve Rehse, who is now head of the UWindsor Physics Department, debuted this around the time that I began getting involved with Science Rendezvous in 2012. I never get tired of seeing it. It’s exciting to watch and demonstrates the conservation of angular momentum in a very clear way. It’s always the highlight of the “Phunky Physics” show at Science Rendezvous Windsor!

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
I will definitely be back! We will be forming our 2020 student organizing committee very soon.
Natalie Mesnic

Carleton University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I have an undergraduate and Master’s degree in chemistry from Carleton university and am currently pursuing my PhD part time in Chemistry focusing in chemistry education research with the Flynn group at the University of Ottawa. I work full time as a chemistry laboratory coordinator in the department of Chemistry at Carleton University in Ottawa.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
My PhD research involves investigating various methods for teaching and learning in chemistry labs in post secondary institutions across the country to better understand how students learn and what types of pedagogical approaches work best for student engagement and understanding in the lab. I am also interested in researching the effects of chemistry outreach initiatives on the public. I help to coordinate and organize a high school recruitment lab, run mini magic shows for school groups in the summer and aid in coordinating the chemistry magic show at Carleton. I am also working on developing a chemistry summer camp for students aged 6-9 in collaboration with Carleton’s athletics department. In one of my previous positions working as the communications officer for the faculty of science at Carleton, I was also responsible for organizing our Science cafés where people from the community could come to learn about various topics in science at a local library in Ottawa where I used to work.

Why Science Rendezvous?
I have been volunteering at Carleton for Science Rendezvous events since I was a student in my masters degree and continued to do so over the years because I am passionate about getting young people interested in science and ensuring that the public understands that chemistry is everywhere and that chemicals don’t have to be associated with negative connotations. I want to inform people about chemistry to instill scientific and information literacy in current and future generations.

How and when did you get involved?
I began volunteering for Science Rendezvous in 2012, during my master’s degree after attending the chemistry magic show the year prior. I thought the event was so powerful in informing the public about what chemistry is and what we do and felt it was so impactful that I needed to be a part of it.

Favourite memory?
My most memorable moment was last year during our magic show when a young girl came up to me with her dad after we had presented our third show of the day (these are long days for us). She was wearing a tiny lab coat and goggles covered in stickers and she said “I want to be just like you when I grow up!”. Her dad later informed me that she had dragged him out early that morning to come to Carleton, explaining that this was “a very important event” and made him stay from 9am that morning (when our activity room opened) to 5 or 6pm that evening (after our last show had ended). That moment, realizing that as a woman in science who was excited and passionate about what I do, I was able to instill an excitement for science in a young girl, was one of the best moments I’ve had so far as a volunteer.

What is your favourite demonstration?
My favourite demonstration has to be the hot ice (sodium acetate) demonstration where the audience can see a liquid transforming magically into a solid before their eyes.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
2019 was our most successful event yet and it can only get better from here. I’ve received tremendously positive feedback from my group of about 40 volunteers indicating that the event keeps getting better and more organized every year as we implement suggestions from previous experiences. I am really looking forward to helping to organize our 2020 show 🙂
Nicole Corbett

5-Year Volunteer

Science Rendezvous Durham

What is your academic background?
I am a new graduate with an Honours BSc in Biological Science. I plan to further my education beginning this coming fall and transition into a more healthcare-related field of study.

Where are you employed?
I currently work at OntarioTech University throughout the school year, as well as at a local hospital, where I intend to work in future years once I complete my studies.

Why Science Rendezvous?
I started out as a volunteer for Science Rendezvous 5 years ago during my first year at the university. I was amazed by how interested kids were in what I had to say and how much of a positive influence I can have on them. Their experiences at Science Rendezvous can help to shape their passions and future education and career choices!

What is your favourite demonstration?
I really can’t pick just one! As a biology student, I always loved the Biodiversity Gallery, but Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream and Levitating Orbs are definitely up there on the list.

Final thoughts for 2019, and into 2020?
This was our biggest event to date! I’m so happy to have been a part of it and able to share my expertise and knowledge with others.
Paul Robertson, City Curator and the City team!
Peter Loock

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I am a professor of Chemistry at Queen’s University; the group running our laser demos at Science Rendezvous consists of graduate students (PhD and M.Sc. candidates in chemistry and physics) and several undergraduate students who work in our research group.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
Our research team builds instruments – typically using lasers and optical fibers – to find and identify chemicals in the lab and in the environment. We are known for being a group of inventors and our lab looks like a crazy scientists’ garage.

Why Science Rendezvous?
We have been part of Science Rendezvous Kingston for many years. The first time we got involved we were immediately hooked. The atmosphere is electric, and the kids are bursting with enthusiasm, curiosity and energy. Their wide-eyed enthusiasm reminds us scientists that it is fun to learn about something foreign, exciting and weird – in the end we are reminded why we chose to become scientists or educators in the first place. I get a buzz from this event that lasts for days.

How and when did you get involved?
I was persuaded by a friend to set up a booth on optics and lasers at about 2012 or even earlier. My students just ran with the idea and the rest is history.

Favourite memory?
Hearing from students who remembered our display years later, when they were at university.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Personally, I love setting things on fire with our “death ray” (an intense blue laser), but that’s just me. There is also the water jet that guides laser light (=liquid waveguide), the “invisible display” (polarization sensitive computer display), our music transmission through a modulated red laser beam (free space telecommunication), and the little gas laser that we bring along (a vintage Helium-Neon laser). Younger children absolutely love the fiber optic bundle!

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
This is tough: my group will be leaving Queen’s University and Kingston to set up shop at the University of Victoria, B.C. It is likely that 2019 was our last Science Rendezvous in Kingston. Then again, I know that there is Science Rendezvous in Vancouver. Maybe I can contribute to their outreach activities or – even better – help bring the event to Victoria?!
Roopali Chaudhary

Science Rendezvous Burlington-Hamilton

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I have a PhD in Cellular Biology and a post-doctoral fellowship in Immunology. I am currently running a grassroots non-profit, Lotus STEMM, which is a networking and leadership platform for South Asian women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math & Medicine (STEMM).

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I am currently researching how society and community affects a South Asian woman’s career trajectory in STEMM, while also promoting STEM amongst the South Asian community within Ontario. I do a lot of work on equity, diversity and inclusion within STEM, with an intersection perspective of an immigrant South Asian woman.

Why Science Rendezvous?
Science Rendezvous is a great venture that brings family fun with STEM! It’s a unique STEM festival, that brings so many different STEM fields together, under one fun-filled festival! It’s a rare opportunity to bring so many researchers, engineers, and scientists together with the community. And knowing that it is happening across the country has a sense of solidarity with STEM to it.

How and when did you get involved?
I got involved in 2018, when I had the pleasure to meet with Kathleen Miller. I got a chance to chat with her about Science Rendezvous, and what is required for organizing an event. Being a new entrepreneur, I was unsure about whether I was ready to organize such a well known event, but joining a team in 2019 for hosting the first on in Burlington, was one of my best experiences. I learned a lot, and was absolutely smitten with the idea of doing it again!

Favourite memory?
There were a number of kids who kept returning to their favourite station. They really enjoyed themselves, and their parents were so happy to see the excitement on their kids faces.

What is your favourite demonstration?
I think it would have to be the Oobleck activity. This was probably the kids’ favourite too, and just watching their eyes in awe, while having fun, getting dirty but still learning; it was hands-down one of the best activities.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
Science Rendezvous 2019 was my first opportunity to get involved on the planning side, and I absolutely loved it! Most definitely will be back for 2020!
Roxanna Bray

University of Manitoba
Sam Smith

STEM MINDS

What is your academic background, and where are you employed?
Fine Arts, Music, and Environmental Studies. Certified teacher who is currently the Creative Director at STEM MINDS Corp.

What research (outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I handle all community partnerships, in addition to the planning and execution of events. We do R&D as a team on STEM education and hands-on on technology approaches.

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
We love being part of a national event to help promote STEM education! We especially love that it encourages families in our community to come out and explore STEM together. This is our second year being involved in Science Rendezvous.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Bringing out our zSpace laptop! Amazing to see how kids engage with such cool tech!

Final thoughts for 2019, and into 2020?
Thanks for another exciting year. We can’t wait to do it again in 2020!
Scott Compeau and Connections

5-Year Volunteer

Queen’s University

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
My personal academic background is a professional engineer (P.Eng), qualified high school Chemistry/Math teacher, and PhD candidate. All of the full-time staff who work for connections are also qualified educators. Connections also employs engineering undergraduate students to round out the team from May – August.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
Areas of research include STEAM education outreach, students’ perceptions of engineering, and diversity in engineering

Why Science Rendezvous?
It is a great opportunity to celebrate all facets of STEAM education and outreach. It is pretty amazing to see all of the STEAM focused groups all come to one event and engage the community with fascinating STEM topics. It is also amazing to see the excitement and energy from the youth who love STEAM areas.

How and when did you get involved?
Connections has been involved in SR for at least the past 5 years (maybe even longer). I started the role as the engineering outreach coordinator 6 years ago and at the time, I was doing my masters degree and met Lynda Colgan. Lynda and I started to share out passion for STEM education and this is when I was informed about SR. To this day, the passion for STEAM education continues to grow and I (on behalf of Connections) are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the outreach office at the Faculty of Education.

Favourite memory?
Two years ago Connections finally finished designing and building our Tech ‘n’ Tinker (TNT) Trailer mobile classroom and it was only a few days before SR. My favourite memory to date is the positive response from the community to see this mobile classroom in action and that it could travel to schools to run STEAM workshops. This event helped the Connections team celebrate the public launch of a new project for us and is why we continue to bring the TNT trailer every year as we showcase new workshop ideas.

What is your favourite demonstration?
People are always fascinated to learn about 3D printing. More recently, we have also enjoyed some of the augmented and virtual reality demonstrations as it helps showcase some of the ways that emerging educational technologies can be used in STEAM.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
We wouldn’t miss it. It is always a great opportunity for the new Connections summer staff to engage with the community and remember the feeling of being a young child and fascinated by STEAM area. We look forward to planning our demonstration for 2020.
Seema Goel

5-Year Volunteer

University of Manitoba

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I hold a BSc in Environmental Biology from McGill, an Associate Arts Diploma in Glass and Sculpture from the Ontario College of Art and Design, and a Master’s of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design. I am also completing an interdisciplinary MSc between Aesthetics and Engineering from the U of Regina. I am the STEAM co-ordinator and outreach programmer for the Faculty of Science at the U of Manitoba. I also teach drawing classes for the medical school wellness program and serve as the VP for the Manitoba Craft Council, and in addition have an active practise as a curator and artist. Melding art and science is my thing and connecting people to ways in which to communicate their passions has turned out to be a delight and privilege.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
My primary areas of research centre around 1. craft as a political action, 2. the relationships between design and the success of sustainability projects, and 3. Phenomenology and how people are acted upon by their environments. This connects to explorations into digital interface and understanding how design provides opportunities to make that interface part of the content rather than an addition.

Why Science Rendezvous?
Science Rendezvous provides a unique opportunity to marry my interests through public outreach and student engagement. Seeing the sciences through the lens of the arts makes them accessible in a way which centres around experience rather than book knowledge. The arts excel in the area of communication, and SR is an chance to bring this much needed quality to science outreach. The students learn so much by stretching their knowledge of the arts, not only are they stronger thinkers and communicators as a result, they also develop an appreciation for the arts the process of thinking in this way. Most important is the process of taking risks – and this is a particular hallmark of the arts that the students need and from which they draw benefit.

How and when did you get involved?
I became the SR coordinator by accident. The professor who had been managing the event was very busy and could no longer take on this task. Fortunately the Faculty of Science was very trusting and let me run with all of my ideas. This transformed the event from a day public event aimed at elementary kids to a 3-4 day event with school programming, public programming, and adult events.

Favourite memory?
The delivery of 800 pounds of cornstarch.

What is your favourite demonstration?
I have three favourites: 1. Balloons being pulled out of a bucket of liquid nitrogen during the Physics Show, 2. The musical staircase where the staircase is transformed into a piano scale and kids run up and down the stairs playing notes, 3. Binary Magic – this is a series of 6 cards that allows someone to guess/calculate the viewer’s chosen number using binary code. The simple ones are often the best.

Final thoughts for 2019, and will you be back in 2020?
I am in awe of the students who run this event. It has grown from 30 volunteers to 800, and from 300 visitors to 7000. It is the students who make this magic happen. I’ll be back in 2020!
Tabitha Wood

10-Year Volunteer

University of Manitoba
Timothy Lo

5-Year Volunteer

Science Rendezvous Ottawa

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?

My academic background is in botany with a focus on bacterial diseases. I then did a 180 and am now entering the third year of my Medical Degree where I hope to pursue psychiatry or family medicine.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?

I volunteer with Let’s Talk Science where I teach elementary school kids about different areas of STEM! I was also the Team Lead for the medical student volunteers this past year at the University of Ottawa where I trained volunteers and advocated on their behalf.

I am also part of the advisory committee of ArtSci Salon, which is a group of scientists and artists that aim to bridge the gap between Art and Science. My role is to provide ideas and help put together events for the public to increase awareness of the intersection of Science and Art.

Why Science Rendezvous?

I love Science Rendezvous and what they stand for! I think STEM research is incredibly hard to understand if you’re not active in that specific field. SR’s aim of bringing scientists and youth together makes it worthwhile for everyone. Scientists learn how to communicate their research/passion in a more understandable manner and also get to be creative in making interactive and engaging booths. Meanwhile, youth and the public get to perform and see some fascinating experiments, learn about different areas of STEM and meet the people that are doing the research.

How and when did you get involved?

I got involved in 2013 at the University of Toronto when my friend Jennifer Duan asked if I wanted to volunteer for Science Rendezvous. She had volunteered for many years before and told me about her awesome experiences, so I thought I would finally give it a try!

I loved it so much that I continued as a volunteer before deciding to apply and become a volunteer coordinator in 2016. I had an amazing time working with the volunteers and making sure they were having a great experience. I really wanted everyone to love SR as much as I had!

Then in 2017, I applied to become a Co-Chair for SR2018 and I had a wonderful Co-Chair, Meghan Lysko, and amazing team. It was quite a step up from volunteer coordinator and I am so thankful to everyone on the team that helped bring together an amazing festival. I’m still so proud we got to start the SciArt Gallery and listen to feedback and bring in food trucks to make the festival experience even better!

I then switched over to the University of Ottawa and I’ve been trying to spearhead SR there ever since. With SR2021, I created an online scavenger hunt that incorporated local features to engage youth!

Favourite memory?

The first was my first time volunteering at the liquid nitrogen booth. I had so much fun teaching kids about water through liquid nitrogen. I would tell the youth that water was in all living organisms including the flowers in front of us. However, it wasn’t until they froze the petals and crushed it like ice, that I could see them make the connection. Seeing that moment of connection on their faces always brings a smile to me.

The second is when Ravitej Rekhi and I created the first SciArt Gallery for SR. We had to come up with everything from scratch and I am so thankful for Ravitej for helping put it together and really leading it on event day. It was quite a challenge coordinating all the artists and ensuring they had the space and equipment they needed for their exhibits. Ravitej and I learned so much about planning an art gallery and from the artists themselves. We got such great feedback about the SciArt Gallery and I’m so proud it has continued on since!

What is your favourite demonstration?

My favourite demo is probably one about the microbiome and learning about how bacteria and our digestive system work together. It was a really cute demo with small toy toilets and kids could create their own poop. I didn’t get to do it, but I saw all the kids and parents really engaged about learning about the microbiome in this very non-academic manner!

Final thoughts for 2021, and will you be back in 2022?

I loved seeing all the different event sites and what they did virtually; It was a truly impressive effort all across Canada and I hope people enjoyed it!

I hope to be involved with SR in some capacity! It will probably not be the lead of an event site as I will be starting rotations in the hospital this coming Fall, though I hope to help as much as I can!
Tom Riddolls
Trinh Vo

5-Year Volunteer

University of Toronto – St. George Campus

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?

I am a fellow UofT Alumnus (HBSc, 2018) and majored in Genome Biology and Health & Disease during my years as an undergrad. Currently, I am working as a Program Manager at the Creative Destruction Lab – Toronto (CDL-Toronto) at the Rotman School of Management, where big ideas become even bigger actions. CDL-Toronto is a non-profit organization that provides science- and technology-centric companies with business expertise from our mentors in an objectives-based program that enables them to massively scale their ventures.

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?

During my undergrad, I was very fortunate to spend the majority of my years as a research student in the Desveaux Lab under the Department of Cell & Systems Biology (very notable mentions as well to the Guttman Lab and Provart Lab) and I am especially fond of all of my graduate student mentors (some of which are now my very dear friends) and supervisors for all of the support they gave me.

I’ve always had a passion for sharing knowledge to younger students which began when I was a camp counsellor for the Boys & Girls Club of Canada. After that chapter, I became an avid volunteer in health care for 7 years and eventually led and trained student volunteers at the Michael Garron Hospital. But when I found Science Rendezvous at UofT, that became my next passion project – an opportunity to be involved in STEM outreach for youth while also navigating my budding love for complex project management and large-scale event planning. My time at Science Rendezvous is what enabled me to flourish in my current role as Program Manager at CDL-Toronto and since I will always have a passion for STEM outreach, I am very happy to be involved with the CDL Apprentice Program that’s geared for young women 14-18 years of age with a keen interest in how science and technology has been revolutionizing the world around them and the opportunities available to them as future leaders.

Why Science Rendezvous?

As I’ve been involved with Science Rendezvous for the past 5 years, I find it hard to remember exactly what went through my mind when I initially heard of SR but the idea of being involved in something big while enriching students with STEM was one of the reasons I chose SR over just any club. What I gravitated towards eventually brought me to where I am today and I am positive that it was a mixture of feeling ambitious to try something new, a wanting to befriend other students at such an overwhelmingly large campus and the hope that pushing my comfort zone will enable me to be less afraid of the unknown.

How and when did you get involved?

When the call for applications came in fall of 2016, I was excited to try something new but equally nervous that it would be a bit outside of my comfort zone since I had never heard of Science Rendezvous prior to that. I still remember going into my interview and feeling a huge amount of anxiety. Even when I didn’t get my first pick, although a bit disappointed, I was very thrilled to be a part of the Science Chase team as an executive and eventually I loved it so much that I took on the Science Chase Head Exec role the following year and from there onwards I served as Co-Chair for the next 3 years.

Favourite memory?

Having been involved for 5 years gives you an album of memories worth cherishing for a lifetime – so finding a favourite is near impossible! I will say that one of the most fondest memories I have involve my SR executive team and Co-Chair, Surath, where we were all prepping the night before SR and had gathered inside the McLennan Physical building. It was getting quite late into the night and our passion project then became making customized staff ensemble with our names graffitied on the back of bold, red SR t-shirts using black spray paint. Not only did we make a huge mess (which took a lot of muscle power to clean up), it was the first time we had official team attire for our execs. Amidst the stained hands frantically scrubbing away at the floors and the contagious laughter, these were the moments that kept our team together and it was what made SR so special to me. Notable mentions of course include: all of the pizza boxes we must have collected from our team meetings, humorous quips between Co-Chairs, team socials involving copious amounts of board games or bubble tea and sitting around our storage room (exhausted) at the end of SR 2019 comparing how many steps we each took that day with triumph. Every memory I have is indeed a magical one and I owe it to the folks that make up our executive team throughout these years.

What is your favourite demonstration?

When I first joined SR on the Science Chase team, I was determined to bring a new activity that allowed young participants to be more hands-on – cue the unveiling of the edible water bottle experiment; both a gastronomical delight in the culinary world and an innovative way to keep runners hydrated during marathons by having small, edible gel pouches contained with water. By pouring a small amount of a sodium alginate solution into a solution of calcium lactate, a spherification reaction will occur when the calcium ions react with the alginate to form a gel membrane encasing the sodium alginate into a clear, almost-fully transparent water bubble that can be held with your hands.

Final thoughts for 2021, and will you be back in 2022?

SR 2021 was one of the most difficult years for us but amidst the uncertainty we all faced both in our personal and daily lives, along with the many hurdles posed by COVID, our UofT SR team rose to challenge with exceptional leadership, grace and skill. My Co-Chair, Surath, and I owe it to our team for their time, dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to planning and executing our program operations in a fully virtual space. We measure success through the engagement and impact our events have on the youth and their families in our communities so the amount of positive feedback we received was indicative of this. All of our events were phenomenal this year and our team was even ambitious enough to unveil new initiatives such as the interview-based video series, “I Am A Scientist”, which follows successful scientists in their daily lives and laboratory environments such as immunologist Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, astrophysicist Dr. Renée Hložekand, and political candidate Dr. Phil De Luna. We also launched an entirely new program called “SR Hacks”; a first-ever youth coding and engineering hackathon where students find unique solutions to real-world problems. Throughout 28 days, SRHacks showcased a series of workshops and speaker sessions to provide over 860 attendees with interactive STEAM learning and we received 260+ hackathon registrants, with 80+ project submissions and provided $1220 in prizes. SR 2021 will be my final year as Co-Chair but it will not be my last SR; I will be taking on an advisory role to provide insight to our next year successors and I look forward to being involved for the years to come where we will be able to bring science from our labs back out onto the streets so science and people can finally meet again, in-person!
Valerie Kuhlmeier
Zahra Mortaji

5-Year Volunteer

Science Rendezvous Durham , Durham College

What is your academic background, and where are you employed or continuing your education?
I have a master degree in Applied BioScience and another MSc in Agricultural biotechnology. I am a full time employee of Ontario Tech University and part time professor at Durham College

What research (or other STEM outreach/promotion/communication) do you do?
I am setting up the undergrad labs for Biology students. Teaching Biology and Microbiology Courses.

Why Science Rendezvous? How and when did you get involved?
Lots of kids with curious faces and hands on experiments! Since 2013, and continuing! Used to run the LAVA LAMP section and recently became one of the coordinators.

What is your favourite demonstration?
Lava Lamp

Will you be back in 2020?
Yes, I will be back in 2020!