Sept. 19, 2019

Science Takeover at Calgary Central Library invites Calgarians to be 'scientists for a day'

Free event Sept. 21 to feature hands-on activities and exciting learning opportunities during Beakerhead to spark scientific curiosity

Brand-new Calgary Public Library Downtown Branch Flickr photo by Sarah, licensed under Creative Commons

The Faculty of Science is setting up shop in the Calgary Central Library to bring the awe and wonder of science to Calgarians of all ages on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Under the umbrella of Beakerhead, Science Takeover coincides with Science Literacy Week, a national initiative to encourage understanding and participation in science.

“Discovery and innovation will help solve the greatest challenges we are facing in our world today. Science is discovery, science is exciting, and science is for everyone. There is no better way to engage in science than by having fun with it!” says Dr, Lesley Rigg, dean of the Faculty of Science.

Experience the awe and wonder of science in unexpected ways

The Science Takeover event invites everyone be a “scientist for a day,” with free hands-on activities and live demonstrations right from Faculty of Science researchers’ labs.

Participants can experience the magic of chemistry, the physics of flight and levitation, the curiosities of parasites, the wonders of virtual reality, the power of earthquakes, and more.

Throughout the day, visitors to the library can take in the wonder of the night sky and the northern lights in the pop-up planetarium, walk through a quantum space garden, see chemists make “elephant toothpaste” and watch in awe as our physicists demonstrate how to hit an archery target perfectly — every time.

A science fiction writing workshop for teens kicks off scheduled programming at 10:30 a.m., while presentations throughout the day include a peek into quantum mysteries, the effects of global changes on our oceans, an epic battle between parasites and the immune system, and a fascinating look into the science behind a Hawaiian volcano eruption.

Visitors can complete their Activity Passport for a chance to win an outreach experience from our scientists as they explain things like how to build paper rockets, outrun a dinosaur, and even untangle yourself using math.

This event is free, and is open to people of all ages.

Programming details are available here.