Toronto’s inaugural Science Literacy Week (SLW) is happening at York University Libraries Sept. 22 to 28, featuring book displays, talks and screenings across the GTA.
To mark the event, the libraries have launched a comprehensive online guide of fascinating science books, podcasts, videos, documentaries and other popular science resources, encouraging everyone to watch, listen, read and participate in science.
“Science Literacy Week is a terrific opportunity for broad engagement,” says Ray Jayawardhana, dean of York University’s Faculty of Science. “It is a celebration of a splendid human endeavour that enriches us culturally as well as materially; one that nurtures our curiosity, wonder and skepticism; one that helps us develop a broader perspective on ourselves and our world.”
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2 to 4pm
SLW festivities kick off with science demonstrations in the Scott Library Atrium. Join volunteers from the Observatory and Science Explorations for a plethora of quick demonstrations. Also, don’t miss getting a close-up glimpse of the sun, with solar observing happening on Campus Walk in front of Steacie Science and Engineering Library.
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2 to 4pm
Toronto science journalist Dan Falk will talk about his book The Science of Shakespeare in the Scott Library Collaboratory. The book explores the connections between Shakespeare’s plays and the beginnings of the scientific revolution and how, together, they changed the world. Book sales and a signing will follow.
Thursday, Sept. 25, 1 to 3pm
“Cosmos” fans won’t want to miss the double bill in the Sound and Moving Image Library on the first floor of Scott Library. Come watch an episode from the classic series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage” with Carl Sagan on the big screen and stay for an episode of the new series “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” with Neil DeGrasse Tyson. The series have won multiple Emmy Awards and kudos from all quarters, with the earlier series having been called “a watershed moment for science-themed television programming” by the New York Times.
Toronto Public Libraries, the University of Toronto and the Mississauga Library System also have events happening all week. For more information, visit the guide to Science Literacy Week at York. #SciLitTO