News & Events

Don’t be afraid of the dark!

Are you intrigued by the mysteries of the Universe? Have you heard about “dark matter”, and would love to learn more? Would you like to interact with professional astronomers and physicists to find out how dark matter is being researched in Canada and across the globe? Then Dark Matter Day at Queen’s University is for you!

What?

Spend 4 hours (breaking for lunch) learning all about dark matter, why we are confident it exists, and how researchers from Queen’s University and around the world are studying it!

Our workshop will include:

-A lecture on dark matter given by a professional astrophysicist developed in collaboration with the Perimeter Institute
-A virtual tour of the underground SNOLAB facility housing dark matter detectors
-A tour of the Queen’s Observatory and a solar observing session (weather permitting)
-The chance to interact with real scientists working on dark matter

The program is still evolving and subject to change. A final program will be sent to all registered participants prior to the event. Registration is FREE, but transportation to the site will be the participant’s responsibility. We may be able to provide small financial compensation for travel costs. A lunch and refreshments will be provided during health breaks.

After the event, we encourage each student or group of students from the same class to prepare a short presentation on what they learned about dark matter and present it to their classmates. This will help spread the knowledge and encourage others to find out more!

Who?

This exciting workshop is geared towards students in Grades 10 to 12 in Kingston and surrounding areas. The teaching material will tie into the Ontario science education curriculum and will touch on:

-Light and Optics (Grade 10)
-Forces (Grade 11)
-Dynamics and Kinematics (Grade 12)
-Gravitational Fields (Grade 12)
-Astronomical Technologies and Theories to Better Understand the Universe (Grade 12)

We encourage any student keenly curious about physics and astronomy as well as those already hardened space enthusiasts to register! Whether you are just interested in finding out more about science and astronomy, or you can already see yourself building a career in science, this workshop is for you!

When?

Friday, November 9th 2018, 9:00am to 2:00pm

Where?

Queen’s University
99 University Ave
Kingston, ON
K7L 3N6

The exact location on campus will be forwarded to you when your registration to the event is confirmed!

Contact

Space is limited, and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. To register, the interested student must send the following information to our Education & Outreach Officer:

-their name
-their school
-their grade
-a contact telephone number
-a few sentences on why they’re interested in our workshop.
-if they require financial support

We will confirm receipt of your application email, so please get in touch if you do not hear from us!

We welcome questions and feedback from teachers, education professionals, parents, and students! Do not hesitate to contact our E&O Officer. We look forward to taking you on a cosmic journey from the depths of the Universe to the depths of Canada’s premier underground dark matter laboratory.