On Saturday, May 10, 2025, UHN STEM Pathways, together with Sinai Health’s SciHigh, hosted an event for Science Rendezvous—a free, family-friendly science festival featuring hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities for youth.
The event, held at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, welcomed over 200 youth and their families for an afternoon filled with engaging demonstrations from each of UHN’s six research institutes:
● KITE Research Institute: Children used candy to construct models of the human spine and to simulate how the brain sends signals to muscles using a robotic device.
● Princess Margaret Cancer Centre: Participants made crafts that focused on cancer awareness and explored tumour models.
● Krembil Research Institute: Activities featured paper brain hats, and models of the bones of the hand using pipe cleaners.
● Toronto General Hospital Research Institute: Participants used microscopes to learn about different experimental models and created paper lung models.
● McEwen Stem Cell Institute: Children made bracelets for diabetes awareness and learned about stem cells through puzzles.
● The Institute for Education Research (TIER): Volunteers led a computer-based activity showing how researchers use technology to study human behaviour.
This event blended fun and education for participants of all ages and was made possible by the hard work of 21 volunteers from across UHN. Through Science Rendezvous, UHN STEM Pathways emphasizes the value of making science more accessible.
UHN STEM Pathways is a Toronto-based outreach program that aims to inspire and educate students from kindergarten to grade 12 through interactive tours, scientist panels, hands-on workshops, and classroom visits. For more information on their current offerings, click here or contact stempathways@uhn.ca.