Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Road M3C 1T3 Toronto, ON, Canada

Welcome to the last Facebook Live of 2020!

Calling all science teachers! Bring the Science Centre’s award-winning program The Science of Anxiety to your classroom this week via YouTube. This 40-minute, pre-recorded science presentation explains how our brains and bodies react to stress, and introduces students to evidence-based coping strategies. Available for grades 6-8 on December 15 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m, and for grades 9-12 on December 17 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. No registration required! For more information https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca//virtual-school-progra

Bundle up, because it’s time to head outdoors for a game of Backyard Biodiversity Bingo. Take a trip to your backyard, visit a nearby park or find another greenspace to explore. Can you spot an owl’s daytime roost, a tree with cones and a woodpecker hole? You’ll be shouting bingo before you know it! Get the game https://bit.ly/3hfLFwH

Line up your water molecules for today’s experiment because you’re sending them on a walk! By taking advantage of the forces of adhesion and cohesion, you can set water on the path to the end of a rainbow. Isn’t science beautiful? https://bit.ly/2Jd5ckA

This year, you welcomed us into your homes and classrooms. We’ve loved wondering, experimenting and discovering with you--and we can’t wait to do the same in 2021. Give today to support our online science programming--from DIY activities to live events to virtual school programs. All gifts made before December 31 will be matched up to $10,000 thanks to generous donors. https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/donate Let’s keep learning. Together.

Glow-in-the-dark platypuses, a newly discovered coral reef and earthbound bits of Bennu. As 2020 draws to a close, we’ve rounded up 10 science stories that you may have missed. Read about the breakthroughs and discoveries we think are worthy of recognition https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/science/science-stories Do you have a favourite science story from 2020 that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments

Four more days to double your impact! Thanks to generous donors, all gifts made before December 31 will be matched up to $10,000. Give today to support our online science programmingfrom DIY activities to virtual school programs to curriculum resources. Let’s keep learning. Together. https://youtu.be/wbHEyoOWHOc

WOAH! Together, we raised $200,000 for the RBC Innovators’ eAuction. All proceeds will go towards developing engaging and accessible science programming. Thank you to our sponsors and donors, and to everyone who bid in the eAuction. Your generosity will help us continue to create WOAH moments for kids. https://youtu.be/KppJS3TjtHc

Need ideas for family game night? Brush up on your winter science vocabulary with Cranium Qs, our take on HedBanz. Grab a headband and get ready to have some fun. Ask your family as many yes/no questions as you need to figure out your secret science word. Take turns and take your timethis game is all about learning, not speed. https://bit.ly/3nLUpx4

From tobogganing to skiing to fort building, snow provides lots of opportunities for playand science! On Wednesday, December 16 at 2 p.m., explore the chemistry, physics and math of snow. Discover how snowflakes form and get their six-sided shape. Learn about the different types of flakes and how to identify them. Take your newfound knowledge and make your own scientifically-accurate paper snowflake. Plus, find out the answer to the big question: Is it true that no two snowflakes are alike? What questions do you have about snow? Let us know in the comments below.

From top to tail, how much do you know about snakes? Try your hand at this crosssssssword puzzle. https://bit.ly/32YVedB

Glow-in-the-dark platypuses, tail-regenerating alligators and a record-breaking whale. These are just some of the astounding animal discoveries scientists made in 2020. On Wednesday, December 30 at 2 p.m., learn about some of this year’s most spectacular science stories from the animal kingdom. Why are these creatures so captivating? And what implications do these findings have for humans? There’s only one way to find out!

Embrace the cold with winter science! Make an origami finger game that reveals snowy science facts--from the coldest temperature to the biggest snowfall--and enjoy foldable fun with your family. https://bit.ly/3mVGwvA

This Halloween, make oozing Ooblecka non-Newtonian fluidthat’s ghostly green, pumpkin orange or bloody red. Get the recipe https://bit.ly/3mxyGI5 Most liquids are Newtonian fluids, staying either runny or thick at all times and changing from runny to thick only if the temperature changes. Non-Newtonian fluids like Oobleck can switch between acting runny and thick depending on how much force you use. So grab some kitchen tools and prod poke, prod, sift or drip your Oobleck!

Celebrate International Pride in STEM Day with us on Wednesday, November 18 at 2 p.m., and meet YouTuber and engineer Vanessa Raquel Raponi. Hear her perspective on what it’s like to be a queer woman of colour in engineering, and learn how she relied on resilience, perseverance and honesty to achieve her goalsfrom Leaside High School to McMaster University. Find out why she decided to found EngiQueers Canada, a national community of LGBTQ+ engineering students, and how she landed a super cool job bringing remote-control and flying toys to life at Spin Master, the company that created Paw Patrol. Learn why being your authentic self at school and work is important to your success! Do you have questions about International Pride in STEM Day? Do you have questions for Vanessa? Leave them in the comments

At the Ontario Science Centre, we are celebrating International Pride in STEM Day with this Facebook Live event. November 18 is a date that is marked around the world to showcase and support LGBTQ2S+ in science, technology, engineering, and math. We are pleased that we can use our platform for today’s discussion.

Use static electricity to make paper ghosts move and groove! All you need for a ghastly ghost dance party are facial tissues, a balloon and music. BOOgie down! [sound on] Get the instructions for this haunted Halloween activity https://bit.ly/3juuAyp

Welcome! Thank you for joining us today.

Trick-or-trivia! It’s time to put your knowledge of Halloween-themed phobias to the test! Examine the root words phasmophobia, masklophobia and more, and discover why October would be your least favourite month if you had cucurbitophobia. Celebrate the spooky with this interactive PDF https://bit.ly/3e3wc10

Although they might be intended to hold frozen treats, Popsicle sticks can also be used to demonstrate potential (stored) and kinetic (movement) energy. The key to this experiment is to store energy by weaving Popsicle sticks together and releasing them to unleash a burst of kinetic energy, sending the sticks flying. Ready, set, BURST! Watch how https://youtu.be/gneg--ZYefg

Calling all science teachers! Bring the Science Centre to your classroom this month with pre-recorded school programs on YouTube. First up is Fun with Physics for grades 5 and 7. In this 40-minute program, students will broaden their understanding of forces by exploring natural and human-made structures and discover how to make things bigger, stronger and more stable yet lighter by applying their knowledge of physics. Tune in any time from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8! Check out the full lineup https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca//virtual-school-progra

Welcome to Spooky Science Week! Each day this week, we’ll share Halloween-themed experiments and activities for you to try at home if you dare. Today, our focus is ooey-gooey slime. There are lots of ways to add a haunted holiday twist to our classic slime recipe. Add green food colouring for a Halloween feel, or plop your slime in a beaker and pair it with a mad scientist costume. You can even use it as part of your at-home haunted house decorations. https://bit.ly/2Hv76fU What will you do with your spooky slime? Let us know

Make a percussion instrument out of ordinary glass containers. It’s as simple as Do, Re, Mi! https://bit.ly/36S6tqP

Did you know Friday the 13th can be a real nightmare for millions of people around the world, including horror writer Stephen King? The irrational fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia [trisk-eye-deck-ah-phobia]. Those who suffer from this phobia associate the number 13 with bad luck or danger due to superstitions. Test your knowledge of phobias with this easy-to-play trivia game. Give it a trythere’s nothing to be afraid of here! https://bit.ly/3kBHbRf Do you have any phobias? Let us know in the comments!

Sweet news! @torontobees participated in the 2020 @royalfair Honey, Beeswax & Mead Competition, entering honey harvested from our hives. The honey was awarded second place and named reserve champion in the Liquid Honey, White class. Way to go beekeepers and bees! Watch this year’s honey harvest https://youtu.be/K1ARPHdb6-Y

We’ve been providing kids with WOAH moments for more than 50 years. Help us continue this work by supporting the RBC Innovators’ eAuction. There are lots of unique items to choose from, including a personalized video bat chat with evolutionary biologist and bat expert Dan Riskin. Hear about the splashy WOAH moment Dan shared with his kids in our KidSpark water play area. Don’t miss your chance to secure your item! Bidding opens today and closes November 9. www.bidsfortheball.ca

Spooky or not? Meet creatures with a bad rap and decide for yourself. WELCOME!

Spiders and roaches and snakesoh my! Meet some of the crawly critters from our live exhibits and the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory, including a Chilean rose tarantula, a ball python and a giant whip scorpion. As frequent symbols of Halloween, these animals often have bad reputations they don’t deserve. Learn about their unique features, habits and habitats, and find out how they benefit their ecosystems. You’ll quickly discover these creatures are anything but creepy! Which animals do you associate with Halloween? What questions do you have about so-called creepy crawlies? Let us know Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

Test your memory and math skills all in one game! Easy to create at home, this game can be adapted to any math level. The goal is to match equivalent math expressions. For example, 3 x 2 and 1 x 6 are matching expressions whereas 2 x 5 and 5 x 4 are not. Whoever collects the most pairs wins! https://youtu.be/5qIwOchvvrY

Learn about leaves and trees with a fall favourite activityleaf rubbings! There are many different species of trees, and they all have their own unique leaves. One way to identify different tree species is to understand what that tree’s leaves look like. You can also identify a tree type based on the pattern of veins that appears in the tree’s leaves. Collect as many different types of leaves as you can find for this activity and get rubbing. How many trees can you identify based on their leaves? https://bit.ly/2HjDulB

Learn about the variety of flora and fauna in your neighbourhood--from overwintering insects to detritivores--with a game of Backyard Biodiversity Bingo: Fall Edition! Using your curiosity and powers of observation, look for a variety of living and non-living things that contribute to a healthy habitat, crossing them off your bingo card as you find them. Download the instructions and printable bingo card here https://bit.ly/38vQm34

The leaves are changing colour, the weather is turning colder, and the days are getting shorter. Autumn is in full swing! On Wednesday, October 14 at 2 p.m., discover how plants and animalsfrom sugar maples to squirrelsadapt for the changing seasons. Find out how you can support wildlife in their preparations for winter. Plus, learn to preserve beautiful fall foliage to extend the season. What do you notice happening in nature right now? Do you have questions about autumn and the changes it brings? Leave your observations and questions in the comments below

Creep it real this Halloween and join us for Spooky Science Week, featuring creepy crawlies, eerie experiments and trick-or-triviabut only if you dare And on Halloween night, experience the thrills and chills of the night skyfrom black holes to the Tarantula Nebulaat our virtual star party for ghouls, ghosts and goblins of all ages. https://bit.ly/34l36XE

Let’s get crafty! Learn about the artand scienceof marbling paper with Fotini and Zoe, and create beautiful art using shaving cream and food colouring. https://youtu.be/SNNQLk_KNzA

What do you get when you combine milk, food colouring and dish soap? A colourful rainbow explosion! Follow along with science educator Jen and her son Wesley to discover the difference between hydrophobes and hydrophiles. This simple, hands-on experiment is perfect for even the youngest of scientists! https://youtu.be/gbTroqTn8p4

With apples, turnips and carrots in abundance this season, it’s the perfect time to test your taste buds. In this simple blindfolded experiment, discover which senses impact what you taste as you try to differentiate between foods with similar textures. https://bit.ly/3i2deto Pro tip: This sensory experiment is a great way to get reluctant eaters to try new things.

Join us for spellbinding stargazing at our Halloween Virtual Star Party on Saturday, October 31 from 8-10 p.m. For the first time since 1944, a full Moon will light the Halloween sky. Admire this rare Halloween Blue Moon and the stars around it, discover some of the scariest places in the universefrom black holes to the Tarantula Nebulaand ask us your deep-space questions. Plus, hear from ecologist Cylita Guy, PhD, about a nocturnal animal often associated with Halloween: the bat! https://youtu.be/1L9h4Y0NN0Y Presented in partnership with @RASCTO.

Need ideas for family game night? Test your knowledge of Canadian critters in as few clues as you can--and learn fun facts while you play this trivia countdown game. Beavers and raccoons and (polar) bears--oh my! https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/media/1102/whoami.pdf

Find out how to harvest honeyfrom capping to extractingfrom our friends at Toronto Beekeepers Collective. Plus, read up on the geometry of honeycombs to discover what makes these structures space-efficient and strong. https://bit.ly/2HdV4H8

Help mason bees prepare for winter by making a bee hotel from recycled materials. By providing bees a safe place to nest as the temperatures drop, you’re helping ensure the solitary bee population doesn’t decline. https://bit.ly/30lmOjD We’d love to see your bee hotel! Share a photo with us!

Help us bring on the WOAH! by supporting the RBC Innovators' Ball eAuction. This year’s fundraiser features exclusive experiences, science-themed packages and original art. Bidding begins October 26. Check out what’s up for grabs https://www.rbcinnovatorsball.ca/ Inspire the innovators of tomorrow by supporting our efforts to provide engaging, innovative and accessible science-based learning and programming.

Are you an elementary school teacher looking to support your students’ in 21st-century learning and skill development? Check out our STEM Education Toolkit to dig deep into inquiry- and problem-based learning with your students. From lesson plans and instructional slides to student handouts and worksheets, this toolkit has got you covered! Although created for teachers delivering the Ontario curriculum to grades 6-8, this toolkit can be adapted to any grade level. Give it a try! https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca//stem-education-toolkit Ingenium

From monarch butterflies to raccoons to black bears, animals have different strategies for surviving the winter. Find out about the most common strategies and then test your knowledge. Learn through play during your next family game night! https://bit.ly/3nTNCSn

Welcome! Thank you for joining us today.

Join us for our next virtual Sensory-friendly Saturdays event with Geneva Centre for Autism on October 3 at 11 a.m. on the benefits and practices of positive parenting. Get strategies for consistently parenting your child with mindfulness, compassion and care to best support their learning and development. Plus, learn how to make Oobleck, a substance that’s both a liquid and a solid. Here’s what you’ll need: water, corn starch, food colouring (optional), a bowl and a mixing spoon. Register for this free event today https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84331775037

Bees have begun to prepare for the cooler weather and shorter days now that autumn is here. Join Audrey Gabay, member of the Toronto Beekeepers Collective, on Wednesday, September 30 at 2 p.m. to find out how honey beesand beekeepersprepare their colonies for the winter. From hive renovations to huddles, bees are busy all year round! Plus, learn how and why beekeepers harvest and extract liquid gold from beehives in early fall. Do you have questions about how bees get ready for winter or how beekeepers harvest honey? Leave them for Audrey below Did you know? The Science Centre has nine active beehives that are kept by the Toronto Beekeepers Collective.

Make a percussion instrument out of ordinary glass containers. It’s as simple as Do, Re, Mi! https://bit.ly/36S6tqP

Celebrate @ObservetheMoon tomorrow with a fun crater-making activity. Simulate the crashing and smashing of a meteor impact at home using flour, cocoa and marbles to learn how craters are made--from rim to rays. Get the downloadable instructions https://bit.ly/2FRt5gg

September 26 is International Observe the Moon Night! It’s a time to come together with fellow Moon enthusiasts and curious people worldwide to learn about lunar science and exploration. You can join this event from wherever you are! Take the Moon photo challenge below and find a virtual event here. https://go.nasa.gov/3knlYul We’ll have our eyes on the Moon this Saturday! How about you?