As the five tones from the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" played in the darkened main auditorium at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in 91原创 City, gas flames danced in time to the music.
Alex Godhe from the KPU Faculty of Physics explained it was a Rubens tube, a physics demonstration device invented by Heinrich Rubens in 1905.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a standing waves experiment done with fire and music,鈥� Godhe told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have some pyrotechnics going on that hopefully will get some oohs and aahs from the kids.鈥�
Saturday saw KPU host its 12th Science Rendezvous, an in-person science festival, the largest of its kind in the Fraser Valley, devoted to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).
KPU Science Rendezvous is underway at the 91原创 City campus.
鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)
Hallways were packed with hundreds of young visitors, eager to try the slime crafting demonstration, or apply stethoscopes to a simulated patient, watch a chemistry magic show, learn about beekeeping, 3D printing and more.
For adults, the state-of-the-art brewery lab was offering tours and tastings.
A light rain was coming down on the KPU courtyard where many outdoor displays were set up, as Dr. Amy Jeon, Dean of the Faculty of Science, welcomed attendees.
鈥淚t is damp, but inside it's very warm and everyone is so happy to have you,鈥� Dr. Jeon said. 鈥淪o feel free to walk around, enjoy the day, enjoy what science can offer you."
A popular attraction in the courtyard was the 91原创-based Zebra Robotics display, featuring a game using tiny remote-controlled devices to move balls around.
鈥淚t鈥檚 called Robo Shuffleboard,鈥� explained Zebra co-founder Umang Banatwala.
Science Rendezvous is a not-for-profit organization to promote science awareness and increase science literacy in Canada.
The event is an annual festival spanning multiple simultaneous sites across the country, designed to bring science to the public and encourage more youth to consider science and art-related careers and study paths.
