Scientific Outreach

Five Years of Science Outreach: SciXchange 2017-2022

For the past five years, SciXchange has been working with TMU faculty, students and community partners to fulfil its mission of making science engaging and comprehensible to the general public. Passionate about the research that scientists do, SciXchange has become a leader in increasing science literacy and in providing clear science communication by ensuring its outreach activities are accessible and inclusive. Its ultimate ambition? A scientifically engaged society in which all people can participate in dialogue and make informed decisions using scientific information.

With over 1,200 hours of programming offered across 69 communities since its founding, that vision is coming to life. Here is a brief summary of accomplishments over five years of science outreach.

11,042

youth engaged

11,901

people engaged in Indigenous Programs

749

volunteers

5,311

volunteer hours

Reaching the scientists of tomorrow

Since March 2017, SciXchange has engaged over 11,000 young people at 180 elementary and high schools in immersive science outreach activities. Building a stronger and more scientifically literate society begins with providing youth with learning opportunities like running and competing in the Toronto Chapter of Technovation Girls, the world's largest global tech entrepreneurship competition for girls. Other activities have included delivering hands-on science experiments in schools, providing networking opportunities with university scientists, and teaching youth how to become climate activists in workshops launched in 2021. The work of more than 700 volunteers over the past five years has helped make youth outreach and other SciXchange programs not only possible but also accessible to all ages.

Taking science to the people

SciXchange believes that anyone can be a scientist, which is why a key priority is to bring science exploration directly to people in their communities. Hands-on engagement has been offered through annual initiatives like Soapbox Science, an international public outreach event that celebrates women and non-binary STEM researchers, first introduced to North America by SciXchange in 2017. In addition, Science Rendezvous is a festival that takes place all across Canada and has involved nearly 100 TMU students, faculty and staff each year in presenting interactive science experiments. SciXchange works closely with TMU students to hone their science communication skills and with faculty to continually innovate its outreach programs and host special events, including the 2020 SciCommTO conference committed to providing clear science communication (or ‘SciComm’) to the public.

Connecting communities through science

As part of its mission to open dialogue and foster critical thinking about scientific issues, SciXchange began building a two-way scientific engagement with Indigenous communities in 2019. Since then, it has engaged over 600 people in Indigenous programming like Stoodis Science, which brings STEM learning to youth in Indigenous communities and creates connections between Indigenous knowledge and potential STEM careers. Other events like deer hide tanning workshops on the TMU campus and online Indigenous Scientists Chats have also provided the cross-cultural collaborations that advance science communication and help build a scientifically engaged society of diverse voices and perspectives.

Dr. Emily Agard

From the director’s desk

"Since the beginning, the SciXchange team has been committed to increasing access to and literacy in science, empowering people of all ages to engage in STEM. Ours is a better society when platforms for science discussion and learning are readily available, welcoming and inclusive."

— Dr. Emily Agard
SciXchange Director