Science Rendezvous 2025 brings wonder to Kingston

On a Saturday in May, the ice at Slush Puppie Place is nowhere to be found. Instead, microscopes, robot arms, and interactive displays fill the arena floor. Outside on The Tragically Hip Way, Queen’s researchers and community volunteers lead experiments, with visitors eager to ask questions like, 'Can I touch that?' and 'What happens if you mix these?’

This is Science Rendezvous Kingston — and it’s back on May 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bringing the wonder of science to the heart of the city.

Across Canada, Science Rendezvous events bring research and STEM programming to the public. Established in 2011, Kingston’s event is one of the longest-running and most successful, offering a unique platform for Queen’s faculty, staff, and students to connect with the community and showcase the impact of science and innovation. It’s one of hundreds of events held nationwide by the charitable organization Science Rendezvous, which aims to make science accessible to all.

“It’s not about watching science from the sidelines. It’s about getting your hands dirty, asking questions, and realizing that science is for everyone,” says Lynda Colgan, Queen's Professor Emerita and Science Rendezvous Kingston founder and faculty lead. “When kids see themselves as scientists, builders, or inventors, even just for a few minutes, that has a lasting impact.”

More than 5,300 people attended Science Rendezvous Kingston last year, with over 480 volunteers helping bring the day to life. In recognition of efforts to make the Kingston community more engaged with science, the Queen’s-hosted event received the , its fourth national prize, granted by the Science Rendezvous national office.

Explore, experiment, and learn

Visitors gather around a Boston Dynamics robot dog from the Queen's Ingenuity Lab.

As the countdown to Science Rendezvous 2025 continues, there's a lot to look forward to, especially for those eager to explore the world of science and technology. This year’s theme, WONDER, invites attendees to experience the awe of discovery through more than 60 interactive booths hosted by Queen’s faculty, staff, and students, and local organizations. These are just a few of the exciting booths visitors will encounter throughout the day:

At the Human Body in Motion booth, visitors can interact with motion capture technology and learn how muscles and bones work together to facilitate movement. The booth will also feature 3D-printed models of human bones, offering insight into the structure and mechanics behind the human body’s functions.

The Robot Doctors booth will demonstrate the role of robotics in modern healthcare. With exhibits like a surgical guidance robot and a phantom model to simulate body parts, attendees can gain an understanding of how advancements in computer science, engineering, and medicine are shaping the future of medical procedures.

In the From Roar to Soar booth, the relationship between dinosaurs and modern birds will be explored. Through visuals and activities, attendees can learn about the evolutionary link between these prehistoric creatures and their living descendants.

The Human-Powered Rover Test Drive booth lets visitors navigate a pedal-powered vehicle across a simulated Martian terrain. Participants will move through a short obstacle course in the two-seater, bike-like rover, aiming to finish in the shortest time.

Throughout the day, scheduled live demonstrations will also give visitors a chance to see science on stage. Smashing Strawberries offers a close-up look at genetics by extracting real DNA from strawberries. Phenomenal Physics blends magnetism, motion, and a bit of kitchen chaos in a hands-on demonstration. And the always-popular Chemistry Magic Show returns with colourful reactions, flashes, and fizzing experiments that highlight the surprising properties of everyday substances.

A young visitor explores virtual reality technology at one of the interactive booths at Science Rendezvous Kingston.

Making science accessible to all

New this year, visitors can park for free at Fort Henry and hop on a Kingston Trolley that will drop them off at Slush Puppie Place. The Trolley will make regular trips throughout the day between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

“Science Rendezvous is all about connection,” says Catarina Chagas, Science Rendezvous Kingston’s institutional lead and manager of strategic communications and outreach, Queen’s Vice-Principal Research Portfolio. “It’s a chance for researchers and community members to share space, ask questions, and explore how science shapes the world around us.”

Returning this year is the Sensory Friendly Science Zone, a dedicated space designed to support visitors with sensory processing needs. The zone offers a quieter environment with exclusive activities, including a wave tank and a sandbox for digging out fossils. Volunteers will be on hand to welcome guests and help tailor the experience to individual comfort levels, ensuring everyone can participate in a way that works for them.

Science Rendezvous Kingston runs rain or shine.

Learn more about Science Rendezvous Kingston 2025.