Over the March break (Mar 10-18) Ryerson ran a multi-venue, multi-media event at the Ontario Science Centre.
Over the 9 days we delivered 56 soapbox presentations plus arena style demos. We also staffed the interactive displays for a total of 76 hours.
The project included active participation from many parts of Ryerson (in no particular order):
– FoA (Archaeology)
– Library (collaboratorium)
– FOS (NCART)
– FEAS (Aerospace)
– Chang School
– Master of Digital Media program
– RTA New Media
– Alumni Relations
– 3 startups (UBIMODO, Taiga Robotics, Brainsteam),
– 2 Zones (DFZ, SDZ)
– retirees, student volunteers, alumni
– and a student group (RUAV).
Results:
We promoted Ryerson with media exposure to Breakfast Television, 680 News, Toronto Star, CBC and VPtv)
We will be exploring a DFZ / SDZ / OSC collaboration to develop displays and communications tools for local and international science outreach markets.
Job opportunities identified for Ryerson grads (Allen Design (REVIT), Rogers Communications (EEng))
We will be scheduling a meeting with FedDev to discuss opportunities to advance projects and startups.
We talked to over 120+ Alumni and asked them to return to campus for a visit. Most were excited about the changes on campus.
We were approached by many teachers and principals to discuss STEM outreach.
We are exploring a Microsoft Hacking STEM collaboration (discussion pending)
We had tens of thousands of conversations about Ryerson.
Thousands of pictures and videos were taken of people (big and small) playing with Ryerson robots
Ryerson had 80 feet of interactive displays.
Summary.
We educated tens of thousands of people about robots, drones, STEM and Ryerson. We had fun.
The following are recognized for their participation in this event:
Alex Ferworn, Alex Ufkes, Am Sagarwala, Amelia Ng, Brian Smit, Christopher Chan, Dalia Hanna, Danylo Dotsenko, Darya Dvorkin, Dmitri Ignakov, Dr. Elliott Coleshill, Dr. Fatima Hussain, Dr. Jean Li, Dr. Michael Carter, Graham Pearson, Ilija Jovanovic, Ines Habara, Javaid Zahid, Jeremy Chau, Jimmy Tran, Lexi Benson, Matthew Brandt, Nhan Tran, Robert Blain, Shelly Sicat, Steve Daniels, Zachary Guy
Rodney Yip facilitated the arrangement, management and organization of a showcase event for NCART at the Ontario Science Centre during the March break (Mar 10-18). This event allows NCART a chance to display USAR and IED Neutralization research to approximately 70,000 expected young children and teenagers at the 6th floor (Weston Family Innovation Centre).
NCART and related attendees include:
Dmitri Ignakov
Elliott Coleshill
Feroz Balsara
Javaid Zahid
Lexi Benson
Mehmet Demir
Nene Brode
Nhan Tran
Trung Chau
Michel Kiflen
Graham Pearson
Matthew Brandt
Dan Mashatan
Robert Blain
Dalia Hanna
Ilija Jovanovic
Jimmy Tran
Nathan Battersby
Rodney Yip
Steve Daniels
Evan Almeida
Mitchell Mohorovich
Christian Nelson
Jimmy Tran
Alex Ufkes
Christopher Chan
Dr. Alexander Ferworn
Showcase – display tables for items and demos
Arena – a demo area near the Showcase table
Hot Zone presentations – 15 minute show and tell sessions
Robot Roundup
Experience the forefront of robotics technology! Meet local robot builders, including First Robotics Canada and Ryerson University, and see their innovative robotic creations up close in our showcase area. Plus, watch robots strut their stuff – from climbing stairs to stacking cups to navigating mazes – during live demonstrations.
Sunday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Rock Paper Science Hall, Level 6
Drone Zone
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a drone! Watch expert pilots show off their flying skills as they deftly navigate unmanned aerial vehicles through an indoor obstacle course. Learn about present and future drone applications – from aerial photography to field fertilization to self-flying taxis.
12:00, 2 & 3 p.m.
Rock Paper Science Hall, Level 6
Pop Bots
Up for a challenge? Design and build a balloon-toting robot to survive the perils of the arena. Battle it out against an opponent or brave the dangers of a prickly obstacle course – without popping your balloon. Don’t let anyone burst your bubble in this 30-minute, challenge-driven workshop. KAPOW! [Space is limited.]
Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Challenge Zone, Weston Family Innovation Centre, Level 6
Bot Talk
Get the inside scoop on the exciting world of robotics from experts who work in vastly different fields, including healthcare, archeology and public safety.
11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Hot Zone, Weston Family Innovation Centre, Level 6
Photos and videos link:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1GFfAjPEiKPN5mlVoKOiKX9ppmdGXJNf3
Breakfast television also did a segment that involved a brief appearance from PhD candidate Christopher Chan.