Kelly Foss

Discover glow-in-the-dark crystals, explore microscopic pond life, and make slime during Science Rendezvous 2012. This all-ages event, hosted by the Faculty of Science at Memorial University, will allow participants to do fun and safe hands-on science activities this Saturday on the St. John’s campus.

Representatives from the Departments of Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biology and Mathematics and Statistics will be setting up activities in the lobbies and various rooms in the Chemistry-Physics and Science buildings from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 12.

“We were so pleased by the great turnout for our event last year, in celebration of the International Year of Chemistry, and we are thrilled to be joined this year by more departments,” said coordinator Dr. Erika Merschrod.  “There will be activities for all ages and we will be putting on a short magic show in the Chemistry-Physics building each hour on the hour.”

Science Rendezvous is a grassroots non-profit organization that partners with Canada’s top research institutions to present an annual science festival that is free for everyone and is aimed at developing collaborative partnerships between educational institutions, libraries, science-based associations and outreach programs, and promoting science awareness as well as science culture and literacy.

“The goal is to provide a positive experience around science, and to engage non-scientists as well as scientists to think about the importance of a science culture in a civil society,” said Dr. Merschrod.

Science Rendezvous initiates direct contact with science by presenting hands-on activities and exciting demonstrations, lighting the spark of curiosity necessary to engage with and support Canadian science. More information about the events at Memorial can be found at www.sciencerendezvous.ca/2012/memorial-university-of-newfoundland/.