Science Rendezvous has returned!
A cross-Canada outreach with events scheduled in six provinces and the Northwest Territories, Science Rendezvous was founded at the University of Toronto in 2008 by Department of Chemistry Professor Dwayne Miller. The event is the largest one-day science festival in the country.
Chemistry Stories spoke to Amel Sassi, co-Executive Director of Science Rendezvous U of T, to learn about plans for the upcoming event as well as recognition for the organizers of last year’s Rendezvous. Amel is now a research coordinator at CAMH. She holds an undergraduate degree in medical sciences from Western University and completed a master’s degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Toronto in 2024. She is also a longtime volunteer with Science Rendezvous.
We asked: How did you get involved as an SR Volunteer?
AS: Andy Dang Vu, my co-Director and I, both started out on the Science Rendezvous logistics team. For a bit of context, the logistics subgroup handles a lot of the behind-the-scenes work; we’re responsible for reserving all the rooms, organizing tables, chairs, tents, and basically making sure all the physical setup runs smoothly. It’s a lot of coordination, but it gave us a great introduction to the event and a chance to see just how much teamwork goes into pulling everything off.
Last year, we both stayed on the logistics team but took on more responsibility as co-heads, where we had the honour of managing a team of four other students. That experience pushed us to develop our leadership skills and think more strategically about how to support the whole event.
Because of that, we were selected this year to step into the role of co-chairs for the entire organization. It’s been an exciting opportunity to take on a bigger-picture role, recruit members for our team and keep the passion and dedication for making science accessible!
Why are you passionate about this event?
I actually started out in Science Rendezvous when I was a master’s student here at U ofT . I remember attending my first academic conference and realizing that, for the most part, I was only ever talking about my research with other researchers. Don’t get me wrong, sharing findings within the scientific community is incredibly rewarding, but I kept thinking, how can we get the public more involved?
Science Rendezvous fills that gap for me. It’s all about breaking down those barriers and bringing science out of the lab and into the community, where everyone, regardless of background, can get excited, ask questions, and see the impact science has on everyday life.
Seeing people of all ages engage with hands-on activities, and watching that spark of curiosity, is what keeps me coming back every year.
The team won a Steam Big! Award last year, is that right?
The STEAM Big! Award is a national recognition presented by Science Rendezvous in its role as Canada's largest public science festival. It honours individuals and coordinating teams who go above and beyond in creating innovative, inclusive, and impactful STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) experiences. The award highlights those who demonstrate vision, creativity, and leadership, especially in developing programs that ignite curiosity and engagement in STEAM.
Our team, Science Rendezvous University of Toronto St. George, was awarded this prestigious honour in recognition of our 2024 festival. Due to an unforeseen circumstance, our team had to shift venues with less than a week’s notice. Despite many challenges, we managed to seamlessly transition from our planned event space at Front Campus, King’s College Circle, back to the historical event venue of St. George Street in four days!
This rapid pivot was a testament to the dedication and resilience of the organizing team, partners, and volunteers, we truly could not have done it without them!
Can you tell us more about the 2024 Science Rendezvous’s return to its old home ground on St. George Street?
In 2024, 46 booths showcased groundbreaking research and innovation from the University of Toronto, the province of Ontario, and beyond. Of these, 33 featured departments and research centers based within UofT, while 13 were hosted by external STEM organizations.
Last year The SciArt Gallery, our science art gallery, had its largest and most diverse showcase of artistic STEM talent yet, featuring the work of 42 artists, including seasoned professionals and students alike.
Other fan favorites also made a return in 2024, including the Science Chase, which challenged participants with 8 unique activities, the Science Fair competition, where elementary and high school students showcased their research, and the SRHacks competition, a novel program where students put their engineering and coding skills to the test!
Moving the focus to this year... what makes SR2025 stand out?
SR2025 stands out as a landmark year for Science Rendezvous at the University of Toronto St. George. For the first time, the event will take place on Front Campus, a central and iconic location that allows us to both celebrate the beauty of the university grounds and welcome an even broader audience. Building on lessons from last year, we have reimagined the event layout and programming to enhance engagement and visibility across campus.
This year’s program features exciting new additions and innovations. We've expanded our partnerships to include external, hands-on STEM exhibits, including live reptiles from our collaborators at Reptilia Zoo, and an interactive space-themed "Escape Room" developed by SEDS Canada (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space). These immersive experiences are designed to spark curiosity and create memorable learning moments for all ages.
In a meaningful step forward, we are also working in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and practices into the event. This includes “Tree Teachings,” an interactive learning space that explores Indigenous relationships with the land, ecology, and traditional ways of knowing, an essential perspective in the broader STEAM conversation.
Through these novel additions, we are sure that there will be something for everyone at Science Rendezvous 2025!
Can you remember a time when an event like this reached you or perhaps even changed your educational or career path?
Yes! As a young child, my mom would always take me to the library, and I have vivid memories of spending hours browsing through books on everything from space to dinosaurs.
One event stands out: a “Meet a Scientist” event held at the library. I was around 8 years old, and I remember being absolutely mesmerized by the scientist who came to talk to us. She was a biologist, and she had all these fascinating stories about the creatures she studied, as well as the hands-on experiments she did in the field. It was the first time I saw a real-life scientist and realized that science wasn't just something in textbooks or on TV, it was something I could actually be part of.
Looking back, I realize how powerful those personal connections can be in shaping the future of young minds, which is why I’m so passionate about creating similar experiences for others through Science Rendezvous. It's amazing to think that a single event like that could change the course of someone’s educational journey, and I’m lucky enough to be part of a team that’s doing just that for others today.
What is the best thing about organizing SR?
There are so many things I love about organizing Science Rendezvous, which probably explains why I’ve stayed on the team for a few years now! First and foremost, it’s the team. We’re incredibly lucky to have a large group (50+ members) of some of the most exceptional and driven students I have ever met. Whether it’s during our executive meetings or our heads meetings, everyone brings unique insights, energy, and a genuine passion for making STEAM accessible to the community.
Being surrounded by such thoughtful, committed individuals makes the entire experience both inspiring and fun. That energy is especially important on the morning of our event, we’re there bright and early, typically around 5 AM, setting everything up. It’s a long day, but the excitement and dedication everyone brings makes it all worth it.
Additionally, it’s all the people, especially the kids, engaging in all of the activities on the day. Seeing them light up with curiosity and ask questions is one of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. Last year, when I had the privilege of serving as the Logistics Co-Chair, I remember walking through the festival to make sure everything was running smoothly. Everywhere I looked, there were kids experimenting, families laughing, and volunteers eagerly explaining concepts. It was one of those moments that made all the months of planning incredibly worthwhile, knowing that we’re making science accessible and engaging for the community.
Science Rendezvous is all about breaking down those barriers and bringing science out of the lab and into the community, where everyone, regardless of background, can get excited, ask questions, and see the impact science has on everyday life. --Amel Sassi
Science Rendezvous will take place on May 10, 2025 in venues from coast to coast across Canada. To plan your visit and take full advantage of the demonstrations and wide range of thought provoking and inspirational activities, visit their main site to locate the Rendezvous nearest to you.