The Science Chase (SC) is an immersive, story-driven experience that motivates and directs participants to engage with scientific concepts through a series of problem solving “challenges.” The original inspiration for this event came from reality TV shows such as “The Amazing Race”, the immersive experience of attractions such as those found in Universal Studios and modern video games. Individual organizers have drawn on their own sources to create their own vision for their contribution to creating the Science Chase.
For example, one past organizer wanted to re-create the scene from Indiana Jones movie “Raiders of the lost Ark” where Prof. Jones attempts to recover a golden idol from a pressure-sensitive platform by carefully replacing the weight of the idol with a bag of sand. While less science-y, this concept was applied to the “finale” challenge for a kid’s event one year (the objective was to recover a large blue-colored glass diamond replica purchased from the Royal Ontario Museum’s gift shop). Several laser beams, attached to a sensor that set off alarms if crossed, added to the difficulty of the challenge. If participants were interested in learning more about lasers, the participants could visit the pavilion put on by the institution’s Institute for Optical Sciences (or the equivalent at your institution).
In another case, a map was embedded within a series of holograms found within a single plate. Participants had to try shining light on different locations and at different angles of holographic plates, revealing that an immense amount of information can be stored in this manner. Again, exhibits and scientists were available nearby to answer questions and show off research concerning holography.
These types of direct connections to the concepts visited and experienced by participants and the exhibits put on by participating University Departments were noted to teams after they arrived back at Science Chase HeadQuarters at the end of their race.
The Science Rendezvous Context
Science Rendezvous is a venue to foster connections between people and scientists, scientific research (labs, concepts, and work), and provide the opportunity for the general population to see intriguing physical phenomena that capture their curiosity and stimulate conversation. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Specific events might include a combination of lab tours, discussions with scientists about their research, witnessing demonstrations, participating in isolated activities or puzzles, or participating in a team-based Science Chase.
Some attractions, such as lab tours, tend to have a more serious tone, and some are light and fun (such as tasting liquid-nitrogen ice cream, covering pennies with Gold or playing in a non-newtonian liquid). The Science Chase isn’t formal like a lab tour or as directly instructive as a visiting a tent full of neat demonstrations. The Science Chase is an intense, engaging, fun event, where people interact with science as part of a problem solving adventure.
Aside: I have ignored mentioning lectures, which are frequently at the center of science outreach efforts. The downside of lectures is that few members of the public are aware of leading scientists and their work. While scientifically-engaged individuals such as the students and faculty running Science Rendezvous might be impressed by a Nobel Prize or a lifetime of fundamental breakthroughs, experience shows the general public doesn’t find such credentials sufficiently motivating to spend their Saturday afternoon in a lecture hall. Science outreach organizers must keep their intended audience in mind! Science Rendezvous excels at engaging people who aren’t generally involved of science.
