Frequently Asked
Questions

Yes. Our Charitable Registration number is 867139537RR0001. We are dedicated to motivating lifelong interest in STEM learning and to fostering tomorrow’s innovators and leaders. Visit the “Become a Donor” section to learn about the many ways you can support Scientists in School.

Scientists in School is a social enterprise charity. So, although schools pay a user-fee, all of our workshops are subsidized by donors. This helps us to keep the cost affordable for the greatest number of schools, as well as to ensure high quality workshops with skilled presenters, and plentiful materials and equipment for hands-on experiences in over 25,000 classrooms in a typical school year. To keep our program accessible, we fundraise to offer complimentary workshops to schools most at-need, as determined in consultation with school boards. In a typical school year, over 2,000 classrooms benefit.

Booking early for best topic and date availability is highly recommended. We are currently offering online workshops across Canada and can be booked online. For more information, check out our video that shows more about what to expect in a online workshop.

We are rebuilding our on-site program and offering select topics in Toronto, Durham, Peel, and York. If you have questions, please send an email to bookings@scientistsinschool.ca or call us at, 905-837-9626 / 1-866-678-3434.

We have curriculum-enriching topics for young scientists across Canada. We offer workshops that are curriculum-aligned according to provincial educational guidelines.

Alberta – Kindergarten to Grade 9

British Columbia – Kindergarten to Grade 7

Manitoba – Kindergarten to Grade 8

New Brunswick – Kindergarten to Grade 8

Newfoundland and Labrador – Kindergarten to Grade 8

Nova Scotia – Primary to Grade 8

Ontario – Kindergarten to Grade 8

Prince Edward Island – Kindergarten to Grade 8

Québec – Kindergarten to Cycle 3 Elementary

Saskatchewan – Kindergarten to Grade 8

Both our online and onsite classroom workshops are curriculum-aligned, discovery-based and hands-on, with exclusive access to one of our topic-expert presenters. Investigation is key, and students learn that in science, you don’t make mistakes, only discoveries.

Online workshops are 60 minutes long and can be booked anywhere in Canada where there is reliable internet. Mini Science Bags are individually-packaged for each student and sent ahead for distribution, ensuring a hands-on experience whether students are in the classroom or at home. On the day of the workshop, you’ll connect with your presenter and begin your journey into the exciting world of STEM.

Onsite workshops are 90 minutes long and include the same investigations as our online workshops. Presenters bring investigative materials and scientific equipment to the classroom and students have opportunities for individual and small group explorations. At this time, we are offering a limited selection of on-site workshops in Toronto, Durham, York, and Peel.

Each Mini Science Bag contains all of the carefully curated, topic-specific materials needed to ensure a hands-on experience. They are individually-packaged and sent to your school well ahead of each workshop. While we take great care not to include typical allergens, we also provide a list of the materials on the back of each bag, and welcome questions if more detail is needed. Email us at bookings@scientistsinschool.ca.

Quite simply, our presenters are amazing! They are topic-specific experts, highly trained and mentored, with regular opportunities to enhance their skills through ongoing professional development. Find out more about our presenters in our blog posts.

Current workshop fees are available in the “Workshops for Schools” section of our website. Select a topic and the cost will appear.

Our on-site classroom workshop program is available in many schools in Ontario and Alberta. Our online workshops are available to every school across Canada. If you do not see your school board listed, contact us at inquiries@scientistsinschool.ca.

French language workshops are only available in certain school boards, and at this time, due to public health regulations, we are only offering online workshops. To see if French language workshops are available in your school board, please go to our “Workshops for Schools” page and search using your school board. 

When it is safe to do so, we will return to also providing French language workshops on-site in certain school boards.

Family Science Nights are evening STEM adventures for families, hosted by schools. Currently, they are only offered online across the country, but when it is safe to do so, they will also be offered on-site in certain areas of Ontario and Alberta. Sparking a child’s interest in science and math at an early age, involving their family, and helping to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills are the key goals of this program. Family Science Nights also provide ideas on how to incorporate science into daily activities at home. In Ontario, many schools will fund their Family Science Nights with a Parents Reaching Out grant.

Contacting bookings@scientistsinschool.ca will get you an answer quickly. We’re scientists, so we welcome all inquiries, big or small!

To discover which curriculum-aligned workshops are available in your School Board, visit our “Workshops for Schools” page. You are sure to find one that your class will love!

During the school year, a presenter will contact you directly by email or phone to arrange a mutually convenient date. If you do not hear from them within 5-10 business days, please contact bookings@scientistsinschool.ca. Our workshops run from September to June, so feel free to begin booking workshops for the upcoming school year in the spring or summer. Booking as early as possible will increase your chance of receiving your desired date, time and topic!

If you wish to change your topic or cancel a workshop, contact bookings@scientistsinschool.ca before you have received your Mini Science Bags (or return them to us unopened) and wherever possible, we will make the change for you.

We require a minimum of one business day (24 hours) to cancel an on-site workshop or your school will incur the full cost of the workshop. If you change topics, the presenter for your new topic will contact you within 5-10 business days to confirm a mutually convenient presentation date. To view our booking terms and conditions, please visit our “Policies” page.

No. Scientists in School has a wide variety of curriculum-enhancing topics for each grade! In fact, a recent longitudinal study by Western University found that multiple annual experiences showed increasing positivity for student interest and confidence in STEM, especially for girls.

Yes. In order to ensure that all students have a hands-on experience, there is a maximum of 30 students per workshop.

If you are booking a workshop and your class has more than 30 students, we can send extra mini science bags for a small fee.

For Teacher Resource Packages and a long list of free downloadable activities and career pathway videos, visit our “Resources” section. These are a great way of extending our workshops and your lessons. Educators who book a workshop for their class receive a free Teacher Resource Package specifically to extend the topic they booked for their class.

Classroom workshops are designed for schools and are aligned with the science curriculum. Community workshops are a fun foray into a wide-variety of interesting STEM topics. They are designed for informal science education through play and exploration.

Online workshops are available across Canada; once it is safe to do so, our onsite workshops will be available once again across select areas in Alberta and Ontario. For more information, check out our video that shows more about what to expect in a online workshop. Contact bookings@scientistsinschool.ca to inquire.

Both our online and onsite community workshops are 60 minutes long, fun, discovery-based and hands-on, with exclusive access to one of our topic-expert presenters. Investigation is key, and students learn that in science, you don’t make mistakes, only discoveries.

Online workshops can be booked anywhere in Canada. Mini science bags are individually-packaged and sent ahead for distribution, ensuring a hands-on experience whether children are on-site or at home. On the day of the workshop, connect your group with our presenter and begin your journey into the exciting world of STEM.

Onsite workshops include the same investigations as our online workshops. Presenters bring investigative materials and scientific equipment to the classroom and students have opportunities for individual and small group explorations. At this time, we are offering a limited selection of on-site workshops in Ontario (Toronto, Durham, York, and Peel) and Alberta (Calgary)..

Each Mini Science Bag contains all of the carefully curated, topic-specific materials needed to ensure a fun, hands-on experience. They are individually-packaged and sent to you ahead of each workshop.

Quite simply, our presenters are amazing! They are topic-specific experts, highly trained and mentored, with regular opportunities to enhance their skills through ongoing professional development. Find out more about our presenters in our blog posts.

For more information on what is available in your area, please visit our “Community Groups” page or email us at bookings@scientistsinschool.ca.

Contact bookings@scientistsinschool.ca to book.

Yes. There is a maximum of 25 participants per workshop. Beyond that, it is hard to maintain the pace of the workshop.

Current workshop fees are available in the “Community Groups” section of our website. Select a topic and the cost will appear.

Yes. We offer family-friendly online STEM events across Canada that are perfect for staff/client appreciation occasions. In select areas, we can also deliver on-site events, which are perfect for occasions such as summer picnics, Take Your Child to Work Days, and holiday parties. Contact inquiries@scientistsinschool.ca to inquire. Visit our “Businesses” page for more information.

Family Science Nights are evening STEM adventures for families, hosted by schools. Currently, they are only offered virtually across the country, but when it is safe to do so, they will also be offered on-site in certain areas of Ontario and Alberta. Sparking a child’s interest in science and math at an early age, involving their family, and helping to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills are the key goals of this program. Family Science Nights also provide ideas on how to incorporate science into daily activities at home. In Ontario, many schools will fund their Family Science Nights with a Parents Reaching Out grant.

At this time, we are only offering virtual Family Science Nights. To book a virtual Family Science night, contact bookings@scientistsinschool.ca.

Our Family Science Nights are open to all kids from Kindergarten to Grade 8. The format can be tailored to the specific needs of your school.

Yes. The goal of our Family Science Nights is to have parents/guardians explore alongside their children and discover new things together, helping to build up their child’s confidence and excitement for continued STEM exploration outside of the classroom.

Absolutely. Family Science Nights provide an opportunity for parent, guardian and caregiver engagement and involvement in their children’s learning; which is part of the criteria involved in obtaining a Grant in your province. Parents can access the Parents Reaching Out Grant (PRO) in Ontario, the ASCE Grant in Alberta and the Parent Advisory Council Grant in British Columbia.

Virtual birthday or special occasion parties are 60-minute, fun, interactive virtual sessions led live by our dynamic presenters who are scientists, engineers and more. Kids ages 4-12 explore hands-on science virtually with friends and family. Mini science bags filled with materials are delivered in advance for curbside pick-up by each guest. We provide a special e-vite to send to your guests, and a small gift for the birthday child!

To book a virtual party, email bookings@scientistsinschool.ca with your time and date preferences.

Perfect for holiday parties, staff celebrations or client appreciation events, we work with you to create a unique and hands-on virtual experience for families to enjoy together. Families join the session virtually through a secure and seamless Microsoft Teams platform. Our dynamic and expert presenter guides participants through a series of engaging, hands-on STEM investigations over a 60-minute session. Children (supported by parents where appropriate) engage in hands-on explorations using the materials found in their Mini Science Bags (delivered ahead of your session date).

Up to 20 children can participate in our family friendly virtual events, and up to 10 connections are offered through our secure and seamless Microsoft Teams platform (multiple children can participate through each connection.)

We currently offer a variety of hands-on, engaging topics for family-friendly virtual events. You can find the topics we are offering by visiting the “STEM Events for Business” page.

To book an event for your business, email your time and date preferences to bookings@scientistsinschool.ca. We will work with you to create an event at a price that works for your group.

Each Mini Science Bag contains all of the carefully curated, topic-specific materials needed to ensure a hands-on experience. They are individually-packaged and sent to your location well ahead of each workshop. While we take great care not to include typical allergens some children may have, we also provide a list of the materials on the back of each mini-bag, and welcome questions if more detail is needed. The best part: participants get to keep their Mini Science Bags, and continue to explore with their family long after the program has ended!