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Science Festival brings Hamilton families to campus for a celebration of science

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Science Festival brings Hamilton families to campus for a celebration of science

Testing uranium levels in various household items, analyzing materials with a high-powered microscope and launching canisters of film into the air with a chemical reaction were some of the activities at the Fête de la Science (Festival of Science) at McMaster University earlier this month.

For only the fifth time outside of France, a Canadian institution hosted this youth-focused scientific event. On Oct. 10, McMaster welcomed more than 100 students from surrounding communities and their families to an assembly.

Two photos side by side. On the left, a woman helps a child use a microscope. On the right, a woman helps two children who are looking at stickers and craft supplies on the table in front of them.
The Science Festival included activities, tours, demonstrations and guest speakers, all of which promoted the exchange of knowledge between scientists and the public.

The festival, jointly organized by McMaster’s Office of International Affairs and the Faculties of Engineering and Science in partnership with the French Consulate in Canada, was themed: “Oceans of Knowledge.”

As Bertrand Pous, Consul General of France in Toronto, explained: “The Celebration of Science is not just a celebration of scientific achievements; it’s about inspiring the next generation of researchers, thinkers and innovators.”

Bertrand Pous speaks into the microphone as Bonnie Ibhavo looks on. Behind them are signs advertising the Science Festival and the McMaster University logo.
Bertrand Pous, Consul General of France in Toronto, speaks at the Science Celebration as Bonnie Ibhavo, Vice-Provost for International Affairs at McMaster University, looks on.

In addition to the events, two lectures by water researchers were held. Sarah Dixon-Anderson, civil engineering professor and associate dean and engineering student, gave a presentation on strengthening water security in rural, remote and marginalized communities in Canada.

Muriel Veron, Professor and Deputy Director of Felma – School of Engineering Physics, Applied Physics, Electronics and Materials Science at the Grenoble Institute of Technology, gave a lecture on how oceans connect people. Veron traveled from France to take part in the celebrations, marking her return to McMaster, where she previously worked as a research fellow in materials science and engineering.

“The celebration symbolized McMaster’s commitment to the global sharing of knowledge to benefit the communities we serve,” Bonnie said. Ibhavo, vice provost for international affairs at McMaster. “We were pleased to partner with the French Consulate in Canada on this educational initiative.”

The celebration concluded with excursions for guests led by representatives of McMaster Engineering student engineers. They stopped by the planetarium, the new greenhouse and the Hatch construction site, where engineering clubs and teams work on their competition projects.

Earlier in the day, a ceremony was held to present the Order of Academic Palms to Hatem Zurob, professor and head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.