Have you ever wondered how to make elephant toothpaste, bend light using Jell-O, or create a rainbow using sugar and water? Queen’s is set to host Science Rendezvous, a collaborative event where all members of the Kingston community can experience science in fun and interactive ways.

“The whole goal of this is to get people celebrating science. I think we have something for just about everybody,” says Lynda Colgan, associate professor and coordinator of the Community Outreach Centre in the Faculty of Education. “We need to make science accessible and fun so that children are intrigued by it, but we also have to support teachers in their endeavours to make science accessible in the classroom.”

This is the first year that Queen’s is participating in the national event, held at universities across the country. And instead of the traditional one-day affair, Queen’s is kicking it up a notch, with four days of events and activities for members of the Kingston community.

Science Rendezvous is modeled after a celebration of science held in Toronto that included a variety of events and displays and attracted thousands of participants. Dr. Colgan worked with Terry Bridges, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education, to bring a similar celebration to Kingston.

Members of several Queen’s departments are taking part in the event, along with colleagues and counterparts from Royal Military College, St. Lawrence College, and the City of Kingston. Local museums, including the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, the Pump House Steam Museum, the Museum of Healthcare and the Miller Museum of Geology are also participating.

Events include talks by Queen’s professors Barrie Frost and Phil Jessop, a lecture by CBC Radio’s Quirks and Quarks host Bob MacDonald, and a movie night. Participants will be treated to more than 50 demonstrations and workshops at a variety of locations. A free shuttle will allow for easy access to all of Saturday’s events.

Science Rendezvous runs from May 3 - 7. Events are free and open to the public. For more information, including a schedule, visit the website.