Science and technology

Manitobans showing up for the love of science

That's a wrap on Science Rendezvous 2026!

A wide shot of the attendees of the Physics show.
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes
Physics show during Science Rendezvous 2026
Photo credit: Mubashshir Bari
Physics show during Science Rendezvous 2026
Photo credit: Mubashshir Bari
Estimated Read Time:
2 minutes

Saturday, May 9, 2026, started with scattered clouds, mighty winds, and more than 5,000 brilliant young minds who were on the Fort Garry campus – maybe for the first time – to follow a spark they had within. They were all there for the love of science.

As everyone explored through campus, they got to see the biggest star in our galaxy through solar telescopes and observed tiny biological systems in the Cells to Ecosystems Tour, which probably marked May 9 as the day, they decided to be a scientist and found their love for microscopes.

Science for all

Science enthusiasts from all over Manitoba could get a constellation henna design, hear the bees buzz, buy mini lab coats, or make core memories with their family at the Lava Lamp station. Kids got to see robots play in a mini football field and interact with the popular robots from the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Lab. They got to learn about magic rooted in math and take part in an aquatic scavenger hunt.

Parents shared with our volunteers that this is the best place for their kids to nourish their curiosity about the world around them. But we know, Science Rendezvous is not just for kids.

A kid looking through the telescope.
A person looking through the microscope beside a kid wearing a paper hat.
Kids interacting with the small robot at the HCI Lab booth.
Three kids smiling at the camera during Science Rendezvous 2026.
(From left to right) Solar Telescopes photo by Luke Bushuk; Cells to Ecosystems Tour photo by Mckenna Sharpe; Lava Lamp; HCI Lab photo by hci-lab Feyisayo Dosomu, Kids at Science Rendezvous
Almost always, the kids will start with the puzzle, but inevitably, the parents get engaged too, and then when the kids are ready to leave, the parents are still in the puzzle. So, my favourite thing about it is that really, truly it's an event for the whole family.

Darja Barr, senior instructor in the Department of Mathematics who was leading the Math Mania booth.

Adults and kids participating in the Math Mania booth.
Math Mania booth, photo by Margin Chaudhary

Over in the Wallace building, you could hear so much excitement from teenagers who were sharing their favourite facts with volunteers about rocks and fossils as they got to explore the Cretaceous Menagerie, while younger kids were looking at bacteria paintings, a new addition to this year’s Science Rendezvous.

Volunteers were the real heros

But all this magic, putting together Manitoba’s biggest science and engineering festival, would not have been possible without the help of more than 600 amazing volunteers. We are extremely lucky to have their support for putting together such an impactful science and engineering outreach event for Manitoba. One that allows us to inspire future generations to discover the unknown and invent the future.

Science Rendezvous attendees looking at different fossils.
Science Rendezvous volunteers standing on the giant map.
A top view shot of the engineering atrium during Science Rendezvous 2026.
A group of volunteers at the science store booth.
Volunteers of Science Rendezvous 2026. Photos by Margin Chaudhary and Faculty of Science team.

Watch the Science Rendezvous 2026 wrap video

If you attended Science Rendezvous 2026, you might find yourself in our wrap video. If you missed it, this video will give you the highlights of the event, and we hope to see you for Science Rendezvous 2027! 

By

Kimia Shadkami