This isn’t your academic supervisor’s conference!
EXPERIENCE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.
Do you have a passion for science, but never felt like you could pursue it? Are you burnt out from your studies, and hoping to find a creative spark to reignite your enthusiasm? Have you always wanted to help out with scientific research and action, but never knew where to get started?
Join SCI AIDE for an unconventional convention celebrating citizen science and science communication! From tree tours to park clean-ups, painted bugs to sci-fi worldbuilding, and conservation photography to performance art—we’re here to show you what science looks like, in all of its forms and faces. Support youth from around the GTA as they show off their projects; join various speakers from organizations for engaging presentations; and experience interactive science in various new ways.
Event Logistics
Activities will be available both indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. There is no need to come for the whole event! Tentative schedule below.
Experience: According to Jaylene Tyme, lived experience is research just as much as academic or career experience is. Experience and opportunity, thus, should be afforded to everyone regardless of academic or career merit. How can we utilize and expand experiences to be inclusive of its range? How can we curate experiences for people like ourselves, and honour the experiences we have had?
Engage: Science communication isn’t just about writing papers, working in a lab, or getting a degree. At its core, it’s all about being curious about the world around you, and building up communities that care. How can we encourage curiosity and create environments that lead to care?
Empower: We are all part of an ecosystem, one that includes natural and human-made elements. What does it mean to be a part of this ecosystem, and to build it up? What does it mean to experience and engage it, and to garner knowledge around it? In what ways are these things possible, and how can we be the force behind change?
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 10am – 11am | Registration |
| 11am - 12pm | Keynote |
| 12pm - 1pm | Lunch & Tabling |
| 1pm - 2pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions |
| 2pm - 2:30pm | Break |
| 2:30pm - 3:30pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions |
| 3:30pm - 4pm | Break |
| 4pm - 5pm | Concurrent Breakout Sessions |
| 5pm - 6pm | Closing Remarks & Tabling |
| 6pm - 8pm | Dinner, Performances & Open Mic Night |
Concurrent Breakout Sessions may include:
Park Tree Tour
Park Cleanup
Nature Photography Walk
Vermicomposting Workshop
Creative Sci-Fi Worldbuilding Workshop
Career Panel
Community Journalism 101
Birdwatching Walk
And more!
We’re all about creating a welcoming and exploratory space where you can share your thoughts, ask questions, and get excited about the world around us. Whether you’re coming alone or bringing along a friend or family member, we can’t wait to see you there and learn alongside you! Please feel free to share whatever knowledge you may have.
Lunch and dinner will be provided, and we are working to provide other refreshments and TTC tickets to all participants.
There are only 45 spots available, so please sign up sooner rather than later, especially if you are hoping to present some work or want to participate in our Open Mic Night!
Good to Know
Please note the following potential accessibility issues:
Downsview Park Hub itself is quite mobility-accessible, with ramps, an accessible washroom available, and plenty of space. Chairs and tables will be available. While most of the Park itself is also quite accessible with paved pathways, please note that there are some mulch paths and grassy areas, as well.
This is a scent-free space. This means no cologne, perfume, scented hand sanitizer, and more. Please also refrain from spraying anything, including sunscreen or bug spray, indoors as we do not want to trigger the fire alarms.
Please let us know ASAP if there are any dietary restrictions we should keep in mind. While we have already accounted for our gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian friends, we want to ensure that folks with other dietary needs are taken care of, as well.
We have a heavy preference for folks to wear a mask while indoors together, though we understand this may be tough for folks who need to lip-read, have auditory processing challenges, and more. We also know this is not entirely possible as we eat. As such, please respect folks who choose to wear a mask, and understand that folks may keep their distance if it makes them feel safer.
Please bring:
Water bottle
Comfortable shoes for walking
Weather appropriate clothing
Mask / PPE
A first aid kit will be available if needed.
Feel free to email info@sci-aide.org with any inquiries, comments, or concerns you may have!
Partners
Thank you to Ocean Wise, RCIScience, Youth Eco-Stewards (part of Invasives Canada), and everyone who donated for helping to make SciComm Side Con a reality. We wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without them!
This event is a part of 4CE, also known as Cross-Canada Conservation Collaborations (4C Ecology). 4CE, and, by extension, SCI AIDE, prioritizes those who fall into the following intersectional demographic:
Gender minority (i.e. you identify with at least one of the following labels: women, agender, trans, non-binary, genderfluid, enby, femme, gender non-conforming, or something similar)
Racialized folks (i.e. a Black, Indigenous, or otherwise person of colour)
If you fall outside of this demographic but are willing to respect the space and the folks within it, that’s fine! We ask that you treat the space, other participants, and our facilitators with kindness and openness. We also ask that, as an ally, you consider making a donation to help us support gender-diverse people of colour moving forward! Thank you.