Science Literacy Week 2014

Just announced:

Tues Sept 23:  Observe the Wonders of the Night Sky @ U of T

Thurs Sept 25:  Tour @ the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

• From Euclid to Einstein: Milestones in the History of Science

Other events:

Location:  Observatories atop the McLennan Physics building, 255 Huron Street, University of Toronto

Time: Tuesday, September 23, 8:00-9:30pm (weather-permitting)

The Ring Nebula, the double-star Albireo, Mars, and the globular cluster M13. These are the wonders of the night sky you can view with the University of Toronto's 8" refractor, 16" reflector, and other telescopes.

Meet at the elevators on the main floor. A volunteer will direct you to the observatories. 

For the latest updates on this U of T event, hosted by the Dunlap Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, visit: https://www.facebook.com/dunlapinstitute

From Euclid to Einstein: Milestones in the History of Science

Location: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, 120 St. George St., University of Toronto

Time: Thursday, September 25, 4:00-7:00

Take a tour through the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library’s extensive and comprehensive history of science collection featuring works from the 14^th century up to the early 20^th century. Highlights will include:

• original works by Galileo
• books by various members of the Royal Society
• some of the earliest works of chemistry, geology, engineering and astronomy.

It’s a unique opportunity to see on display some of the most important historical scientific works!

Location:  The T-room in the UTM library, Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, University of Toronto Mississauga

Time:  Monday September 22 through to Friday September 26.

Drop by the T-room to see the fantastic creations of the faculty and students from the Biomedical Communication Program. On display will be posters, live demonstrations and graphic novels.

For more information on the program, visit: http://bmc.med.utoronto.ca/bmc/

Location:  The Link outside the UTM library, Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, University of Toronto Mississauga

Time:  Monday, September 22, 12:00-2:00pm; Wednesday, September 24, 12:00-2:00pm; Friday, September 26, 10:00am-12:00pm.

Come check out the live demonstrations of the following scientific concepts:

DNA Extraction from Fruit: Every living cell contains DNA. This includes cells from animals, bacteria, fungi and plants. Using everyday household items, we will extract a DNA sample from some of your favorite fruits in much the same way as would be done in a hospital for certain medical diagnoses or for genetic fingerprinting.

Electromagnetic Motors: What can you make with a battery, a magnet, and some coiled wire? Use these materials to build your own electromagnetic motor and see how fast you can make the motor spin.

Red Cabbage Juice pH Indicator: Red cabbage juice is an excellent, easy-to-come-by indicator solution that shows a variety of colours across a wide range of pH. The indicator will turn pink in the presence of an acid, green in the presence of a base, and blue in the presence of a neutral solution. Find out the pH of some common household items using this colourful and informative spectrum.

DIY Smart Phone Microscopes: Have you ever wondered what salt crystals look like, or how the tiny cells of a plant are able to form such a rigid structure? Use your smart phone and an inexpensive lens to get a closer look at the microscopic world around us.

For more information on the program and how to get involved at UTM, visit: http://www.letstalkscience.ca/utm.html