Science Literacy Week brings science to a library near you

As a child, whenever Jesse Hildebrand had a question about science, his parents took him to the library to find the answer.

Hildebrand, who graduated from U of T’s Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program this spring, wanted to spark that same curiosity in everyone. He started thinking of ways to get science out of the laboratory and make it accessible to anyone.

The result is Science Literacy Week – a week-long celebration of all things scientific at UTM, St. George and UTSC, and the Toronto and Mississauga public library systems.

With a theme of “Wonder and Skepticism,” the student-initiated event aims to inspire wonder at the world around us, and introduce anyone to the magic of science. It runs from September 22 to 28.

“We want everyone to be scientifically literate,” says Hildebrand. “Science isn’t just facts and figures—it’s as big as the universe you can see through a telescope, or as small as the organisms in a drop of water.”

Hildebrand is inspired by scientists like the late Carl Sagan and David Attenborough who  communicate complex scientific ideas to the general public. He currently shares his love of science as an interpreter at Toronto’s Ripley’s Aquarium, and recently started a master’s degree in Science Communications.

Hildebrand hopes this year’s event will become an annual event, one that will spread to more public library systems, more universities and colleges, school boards and beyond.

UTM’s library is hosting SciLitTO events all week. Catch hands-on interactive science demos at the tables in the hallway just outside the library door. Inside the library, you can find the science books that inspired faculty and grad students at UTM. Check out the work of MScBMC students in the T-Room, including science-themed graphic novels, an exhibit of medical illustrations, Kate Campbell’s multi-media “Water Nexus” project and Brendan Polley’s interactive anatomy program that uses state-of-the-art gaming technology. Don’t forget to snag one of the cool buttons created by library staff.

You’ll find more cool events at participating locations, including St. George and UTSC campuses. Find the full programming here >