Frequently Asked Questions
What is Science Rendezvous?
Science Rendezvous is a free annual all-day festival that brings science out of the lab and onto the street with the ultimate goal of improving student enrolment as well as public involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) fields. Occurring simultaneously at over 40 sites across 30 Canadian cities, this event offers visitors of all ages and backgrounds the chance to interact with world-class researchers, witness awe-inspiring demonstrations, partake in hands-on experiments and, above all, have fun while discovering science in a whole new way!
When and where is the festival?
The festival takes place every year on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Next year, it will take place on Saturday, May 11th, 2024. Keep an eye out for next year’s activities on our website!
How much does it cost and where do I get tickets?
You don’t need tickets and the festival is completely free to attend! Drop by for an hour, come for the whole day, it is up to you!
How do I get there?
Science Rendezvous takes place in downtown Toronto along St. George Street. The closest subways stops are Queen’s Park and St. George stations, with both being under a 5 minute walk to our festival. Check www.ttc.ca for further public transport options. Driving your own car is also an option. Science rendezvous does not provide parking but there are multiple parking lots available close by. Check here and here for more information.
What can I expect to see at the festival?
Come and visit with mutant flies and glowing bacteria, touch 3D printed medieval artifacts, take virtual reality tours of archeological settings, create art with math, paint pictures with acids, bases, and plant juices, view waveforms of your voice, learn about music therapy, measure your lung volume with a balloon, analyze your blood type, trick your brain with optical illusions and 3D puzzles, engage with robots, rockets, satellites, and the solar car, play student-made video games, see how a prosthetic hand works, put a ping pong ball into orbit, walk through a scale model of the solar system, take a look through a solar telescope, and much, much more!
Also check out the Annual Science Rendezvous Science Fair (S.R.S.F.), Sci-Art Gallery & our Amazing Science Chase!
How can I get involved?
We rely heavily on our executive team and our volunteers to help us run the festival. Science Rendezvous U of T is the collective work of about 30-35 executive members and a few hundred volunteers, both of which help us to run things on the day of the festival as well as help us throughout the planning and preparation processes.
Want to volunteer on festival day? Check out the Get Involved page in the spring of each year for our call for volunteers.
Want to get further involved or interested in joining our executive team? Check our Facebook page in the fall of each year for our call for executive members or Contact Us page for more information.