In 2027, we’re excited to visit Campbell River for the first time. Each year, we visit a different community in BC or the Yukon, so be sure to check back to see where we’ll be next!
Are you a Grade 10–12 student from Vancouver Island who is curious about science, medicine, and health research? Join us for Scientist for a Day and experience a day of discovery with scientists and health professionals from BC Children’s Hospital.
What can you expect at Scientist for a Day?
- Presentations from top BC Children’s Hospital researchers and health experts
- Hands-on activities covering various health science topics
- Insights into careers in research and health care
- Opportunities to connect with students from Vancouver Island
- Chances to win door prizes, trivia prizes, and BC Children’s Hospital gear
Registration is free, with snacks and lunch included – but spots are limited!
Scientist for a Day is designed to be an interactive learning experience. Participants should be comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and engaging with students from other schools as well as our faculty and guest speakers.
When is it?
Friday, April 9, 2027 | 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Coast Discovery Inn, 975 Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC
Speakers & Schedule
The schedule below is a draft and will change as we finalize program details.
8:30 am – Registration and Welcome Activity
Check in, meet other students, and get ready for the day. Light refreshments will be available.
9:00 am – Welcome and Introductions
Meet the BC Children’s Hospital researchers and doctors who are driving groundbreaking discoveries and translating their research into life-saving medical advancements.
9:15 am – Research Presentation
Speaker & Topic TBA
9:45 am – Research Activity – Part #1
Get ready for hands-on science! Put your skills to the test as you explore real-world research through exciting, interactive activities. During the day, you’ll take part in three of the research activities listed below.
#1. SWAMPED! How busy is an Emergency Doctor? What makes a doctor’s shift busy? Is it the number of patients, how long they wait, or everything happening behind the scenes? Investigate fictional patient cases, uncover the hidden challenges doctors face, and learn how to calculate a physician workload score. Then, see how AI models can be trained to do the same thing. Discover how researchers are using AI to help hospitals better support doctors and improve care for children and families. Presented by Angela Machado.
#2. Nutrition: Fact or Fiction? Carbs are bad for you. You need to drink eight glasses of water every day. Processed foods are unhealthy. Are these statements fact or fiction? Put popular nutrition claims to the test and explore how to critically evaluate nutrition information, especially the claims you see on social media! Discover how to separate evidence from opinion and become a more confident, critical thinker about nutrition. Presented by Celeste Bouchaud.
#3. Build Your Own Stem Cell-Derived Islet. Can you build a tiny cluster of cells that could one day help treat diabetes? Become a scientist and use clues to figure out how to turn stem cells into different types of specialized cells and test whether they work properly. Discover how these cells work together and how stem cell research could lead to new treatments for diabetes. Presented by Bruno Freitas.
#4. Is Your Brain Lying to You? The Neuroscience Behind Your Senses. Can you trust what your senses tell you? Your brain is constantly interpreting information from the world around you, but it doesn’t always get things right. Discover why your brain sometimes misinterprets what you see, hear, and feel, and explore how different parts of your brain work together to make sense of the world. Presented by Ciara Ritchie.
#5. Heat Detectives: Why You Shiver & Sweat. Ever wonder why you shiver when you’re cold or sweat when you’re hot? Become a metabolism researcher and investigate how your body regulates temperature. You’ll explore how your brain, muscles, and heat-producing brown fat work together to keep you warm and how everyday activities influence the way your body uses energy. Presented by Imen Zouaoui.
#6. More information coming soon!
#7. More information coming soon!
#8. More information coming soon!
10:15 am – Break
— 15 minute break —
10:30 am – Research Activity – Part #2
Get ready for hands-on science! Put your skills to the test as you explore a real-world research topic.
11:00 am – Ex-quiz Me?
Put your health sciences knowledge to the test! This interactive trivia game offers a chance to compete for prizes while gaining deeper insights into the latest advancements in science.
11:15 am – Health Pros Tell All!
Explore careers in healthcare, research, and medicine. This interactive panel is guided by your questions, so come prepared to ask anything you’re curious about.
11:45 am – Lunch
Lunch will be provided. This is not a nut-free event. While we work with our caterers to accommodate dietary needs, we cannot guarantee that food will be free from allergens or cross-contamination. Participants with any food allergies or dietary restrictions are encouraged to bring their own lunch.
12:45 pm – Are You Smarter Than a Researcher?
Do you have what it takes to stump a BC Children’s Hospital researcher? Work with your team to create science questions that challenge our faculty and see how much they remember from their own high school science classes!
1:00 pm – Research Presentation
Skin Deep: The Art of Seeing What Others Miss. What do Sherlock Holmes, a doctor named Joseph Bell, a little magic, and human skin have in common? Discover how careful observation, curiosity, and a few surprising clues can reveal the secrets of science! Presented by Dr. Joseph Lam.
1:30 pm – Break
— 15 minute break —
1:45 pm – Research Activity – Part #3
Get ready for hands-on science! Put your skills to the test as you explore a real-world research topic.
2:15 pm – Closing Remarks
Wrap up the day and reflect on what you’ve learned. Participants will be dismissed at 2:30 pm.
Optional: Talk with a Scientist
Have more questions? Stay after the program to chat one-on-one with our researchers and health professionals.
Who can attend?
Grade 10-12 students who attend a secondary school on Vancouver Island. Students attending schools in the Lower Mainland are not eligible to attend.
Scientist for a Day takes place during a regular school day and is considered an extracurricular educational event. Students will be expected to:
- Get permission from their parent/guardian and school to attend
- Arrange transportation to and from the Coast Discovery Inn (975 Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC)
- Attend the full program from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
How do you apply?
Applications will be accepted starting Monday, February 1, 2027. The application form will be posted on this page once applications open.
Space is limited to 65 students, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage interested students to apply early.
What information do you need to apply?
- Your name, email address, phone number, grade and school name
- Parent or guardian name, email address and phone number
- Sponsor Teacher name and their email address
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Answers to the following questions (150 words or less):
#1. Why are you interested in attending Scientist for a Day? What do you hope to gain from participating?
#2. What are your current academic or career goals? What has influenced you to pursue these goals?
Questions?
Contact us at researchevents@phsa.ca or review our FAQs.
