Science Rendezvous: Free, open-to-the-public, and inclusive science and engineering festival
It is an important time now, more than ever, to not only support science but ignite a passion for it in the next generation.
As parents or grown-ups with kids, it can sometimes be challenging to find opportunities where little minds can experience science in an accessible manner, with language that they would understand, through play and interactive booths, and from students and researchers who are most passionate about it.
But what if we told you that there is a free, open-to-the-public, inclusive science festival that takes place right here in Winnipeg every year in May? Science Rendezvous is the biggest science and engineering festival in the province, hosted by the University of Manitoba on the Fort Gary campus. This year, we are back on Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
If you want an outdoor and active experience, visit the "Lava Lamps" and the “Henna Constellations”. At the "Lava Lamps" booth, you can create your own lava lamp while exploring basic scientific concepts such as density, chemical reactions and immiscible liquids. At the "Henna Constellations", to get your small temporary tattoos of a constellation!
If you are looking to socializing your kids with other little minds or the passionate scientists, try any of the booths from “DNA Extraction” and “Mission Immunity” to “Arctic Science Station” and “Healthy Lungs, Healthy Lives”.
We have hands-on activities in booths such as “Theremin's Music” where you can play a musical instrument based on radio frequency; “Critter Dipping” where you can catch and release various invertebrates from Oak Hammock Marsh with a plastic spoon; and “UMSATS: Rockets and Satellites” where you can see a display of their competition satellite and rocket.
However, if you want a calmer, less interactive experience, you can watch the “Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Show” in the quad, or take a walk through the “Cretaceous Menagerie” to explore skeletal replicas of gigantic creatures and different types of rocks and minerals. There is also the “Sensory-friendly Quiet Space”, a room where anyone needing a few minutes of quiet is welcome to sit and relax until they are ready to explore some more!
There are 4 shows happening on May 9! The Chemistry Show, Physics Show, and Planetarium Show all require tickets. To learn more, please visit our website. The Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Show does not require a ticket. Join us to learn more about Manitoba's amazing wildlife, how to support nature, and meet the stars of the show, the animal ambassadors!
All these locations can be found on the Science Rendezvous map, available online and printed on a large scale on-site. For more information, please visit our website.
See you on May 9!
At UM, we collaborate with communities, forge partnerships locally and globally, and invite all to our campuses. Reimagining engagement is one of the strategic themes you’ll find in MomentUM: Leading change together, the University of Manitoba’s 2024–2029 strategic plan.
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