Consider this – that the power of Rock n’ Roll over human musical history has been one big scientific experiment? The new exhibit at the Ontario Science Centre gives you the proof to this surprising hypothesis. And thanks to the Waterloo Alumni Relations team, my family and I got to experience the amazing dance that science and emerging technology has had with music through its evolution.
Saturday, July 19th was this year’s Annual Alumni Family Extravaganza, and we couldn’t resist the great ticket prices offered by Alumni Relations for the Ontario Science Centre, not to mention the anticipation of added surprises that the Alumni team offers at the event like cool swag, discounted features at the venue, and more.
Our day of scientific discovery started with a warm welcome from the Waterloo registration crew who signed us in and outfitted us with some great Waterloo gear to wear proudly throughout the day.
By the way, did you know you can volunteer at Alumni events? I signed up in advance and joined the reception team for a couple of hours – it was a great chance to meet other alumni, and even see some old friends that I went to university with.
It was great to see alumni bring their families – and not just parents with kids (some of which are about to begin their Waterloo experience this fall), but grads with cousins, siblings, and friends.
If my kids had to choose what they enjoyed most – besides seeing people’s hair stand on end during the electricity demonstration in the Science Arcade – they’d pick the Living Earth exhibit, where we walked through a rainforest display (that actually rained on us!) and created our own tornado.
The best part of the OSC is definitely how hands-on it is. From building never-ending ball-racing tracks, to making giant bubbles, to shopping for healthy foods in a pint-sized grocery store, to disappearing into a patterned wall – we were fulfilled and exhausted by the end of the day.
Attending these events is a great reminder to me that Waterloo is enthusiastically interested in engaging with its grads throughout our lives, and doing so in a way that interests me, and where I am at this point in my life. Watching my kids grow in affinity for the University at the same time is pretty great too.
If you’re interested in participating in future Family Extravaganza events – make sure you check your alumni email, or the website around mid-May each year. As soon as the events are announced, tickets go fast, so stay connected to be the first to hear. Hope to see you next year!