Thousands of families in Greater Vancouver will enjoy free admission to Science World on Friday, September 20th, as part of the Tech-Up Showcase.
This event, which drew over 10,000 visitors in 2023, offers a full day of hands-on science and technology activities, perfect for families from diverse backgrounds.
The Tech-Up Showcase, presented by Amazon Future Engineer, will provide interactive experiences for all ages in fields such as robotics, computer science, and engineering. Highlights of the event include:
- “Your Voice is Power” Workshop: This activity teaches computer science and coding by allowing visitors to remix music from Indigenous artists using EarSketch, an online code editor. The music remixes also focus on social justice themes.
- Live Music Performance by Dakota Bear: Vancouver-based Indigenous hip-hop artist and activist, Dakota Bear, will perform live at 12:00 pm. Known for blending music with a message of social change, Dakota Bear’s music is featured in the “Your Voice is Power” curriculum. Visitors will also have the chance to meet him in person.
- Coding and Robotics Activities: Attendees can try coding by programming a Robot Mouse to spell their name or guiding Finch Robots through a maze using Python. They’ll also see the real-world applications of robotics by interacting with an Amazon Hercules Robot, which can lift up to 1,000 pounds in Amazon fulfillment centers.
The event runs from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on September 20th. Admission is first-come, first-served, with visitors lining up for entry.
This showcase is a collaboration between Science World’s Tech-Up program and Amazon Future Engineer, both aimed at bringing digital skills to underrepresented communities, including girls, Indigenous students, people with disabilities, and those in remote areas.
Amazon Future Engineer is a program by Amazon Canada that provides access to computer science education, supporting children and young adults from underserved backgrounds in pursuing tech careers.
