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Annual Report 2019

A review of SciXchange's growth and achievements throughout 2019.
February 11, 2020

Who we are

The active agent for a science literate culture, and scientifically engaged nation.

What we do

Create opportunities for scientific discussion & critical thinking, guided by diversity and inclusion.

We engaged with 5854 individuals.

Eureka! summer campers sit alongside the lab benches as the counsellors teach them a topic.

1169

elementary students

1660

high school students

3025

members of public

Did you know?

All of our programs are tailored to different age groups, learning styles, and scientific backgrounds so that we are able to support a variety of communities.

In 2019, we hosted 110 events and activities.

We visited all 6 areas of the GTA,

drove north to Keswick, ON,

and flew all the way to Barbados.

Science Rendezvous show an attendee the DNA extraction of a strawberry. Other attendees stand behind her to watch and listen.

We were supported by 149 volunteers & partners;

who engaged participants for 1736 hours.

We started 3 new initiatives.

A coding instructor and student work together to determine the correct code.

Computer literacy

We piloted new activities to teach in-demand digital skills to students grades 1-12. The program is comprised of 6 different activities using a variety of technology, along with lesson plans that are adaptable to a range of ages and computer science backgrounds.

MIT App Inventor: Students learn about the front and back end of game development by creating a simple game app for android phones.

Robotics: Students are given code to direct and move the robot and must work in teams to create code that moves it through an obstacle course.

MATLAB: This lab demonstrates how MATLAB is used in image processing research as it relates to lung disease. Students will be introduced to MATLAB and explore its functions.

Pixel Colouring: In this introduction to computer languages, students explore HEX codes and colour theory by creating their own pixel art piece.

Micro:bits Temperature: This activity uses scratch (block) coding to introduce students to the logic of computer coding. Students will code a simple temperature sensor to sample air temperature in their classroom, school and/or outside.

Micro:bits Infection: Using JavaScript, students program MicroBits to interact with each other and play a game to find patient zero. This activity can focus on coding in JavaScript or introduce game theory, Bluetooth and the science and math behind coding.

Hide tanning (in the Quad)

During Science Literacy Week our Indigenous Outreach Coordinator, Amber, introduced the Indigenous method of hide tanning using brains and deer hides. Over 4 days, a team of hide tanning experts joined us on campus to demonstrate the process, including scraping the fur and surface skin layers off of the hide, conditioning the hides in deer brains, hanging them to dry out and stretch them, and finally smoking them to turn them to a warm yellow colour. 

The poster used to advertise the first "Stoodis" Science event in 2019.

"Stoodis" Science

Our Indigenous Outreach Coordinator and Indigenous Outreach Student Lead, Amber and Jenna, designed this program to teach youth about neuroscience through a combination of Indigenous knowledge and western science. They visited the Tyendinaga Reserve, Jenna's home community, to teach participants about the parts of the brain and how to make a traditional healing salve. 

Our Online Community

Most liked Instagram photos

We received the most love on Instagram when we visited the 2019 Climate Strike at Queen's Park (external link, opens in new window) . Individuals gathered outside of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to demand the goverment take on more responsibility towards a more sustainable future. The event attracted thousands of visitors, including young people, members of Indigenous communities, environmental group representatives, social justice advocates, and more. 

We reached 55,490 Facebook users in Canada, and 656 users internationally.

Our supporters

The logos of 4 major SciXchange supporters, including NSERC, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Government of Canada, and Let's Talk Science.

Check out the printable infographic!