In today’s fast-paced world, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills have never been more crucial for driving the innovation that modern societies demand. But, for many curious young minds, STEM can appear distant and confusing, with topics often mired in jargon and complexity. Outreach is critical to capture these future workers and transform their interests into lifelong passions and STEM careers. This is at the heart of the Scihigh mission.
Scihigh’s history and impact
The Scihigh outreach program, founded in 1997 within the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (now the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, or LTRI), has been on a remarkable journey to inspire and promote scientific literacy in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). To date, Scihigh has reached over 25,000 students from grades K-12, showcasing demonstrations such as DNA Extraction, Edible Water Bottles, Gel Electrophoresis and Model Organisms (e.g., fluorescent mice, planarians and worms, among others).
The lasting impact of the past 26 years is thanks to the generous funding from the LTRI housed within Mount Sinai Hospital. As Mount Sinai celebrates a century of life-changing care and discovery, its commitment to STEM outreach ensures Scihigh continues to lead in inspiring young minds across the GTA.
Engaging demonstrations with lasting scientific impact
Scihigh’s mission lies in bringing accessible and engaging demonstrations to GTA classrooms and community groups, with each visit led by a dedicated group of two to four volunteers (more on them below). Here are some demonstrations offered:
DNA Extraction: This is among the most thrilling demonstration Scihigh offers. It is a hands-on experience where students of all ages can extract DNA from either fruit or the cheek cells in their mouths. Not only do they learn about DNA and genetics, but they get to perform a staple laboratory procedure. Students can keep the DNA they extract in a wearable amulet—a powerful memento of their educational journey.
Planarians: The planarian demonstration delves into regenerative medicine, highlighting these fascinating flatworms. With up to 30 percent of their cellular makeup being adult stem cells, students can witness the remarkable regeneration process after slicing a planarian into three fragments. This is coupled with a discussion about the concept of stem cells, and the powerful model flatworms offer for studying these processes.
GFP mice. Source wiki commons, BMC Cancer
Fluorescent Mice: Being a sought-after demonstration, students and teachers alike are captivated by the fluorescent mice demonstration. These mice, genetically engineered to glow green or red, fascinate younger students and offer valuable insights into biomedical research and ethical considerations for older students. In addition, the mice are acknowledged for guiding the discovery of causes, diagnoses and treatments of diseases.
Spherification. Source flickr, insatiable munchies
Garbage emergency Bali. Source wiki commons, Zenger News.
Edible Water Bottles: In one of the newer demonstrations, students learn about the process of spherification, which involves creating a gel to encapsulate liquids. Spherification is discussed as a possible solution to tackle the growing impact of plastic pollution as a means to package water without contributing to the growing problem of plastic debris in our oceans.
Meet the team behind Scihigh
Behind the scenes, Scihigh is managed by Lorien Iantomasi, who plays an essential role in connecting with community groups and schools throughout the GTA. The Scihigh coordinators are graduate students from the University of Toronto (U of T) with experience as scientific communicators, and work in tandem with Lorien.
Scihigh thrives on passionate volunteers, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff from U of T’s graduate school landscape. What sets Scihigh apart is its inclusive approach—volunteers require no prior experience. They receive training from coordinators and are paired with senior volunteers who take the lead on all visits they attend. Volunteers require as little as one hour per year to remain a member, making the Scihigh program a flexible and non-intimidating entry point for those looking to build their science communication skill set.
There are lots of opportunities to grow within the program. Committing time to the program is rewarded with the senior volunteer title, and becoming trusted to lead visits, support newer volunteers, and ultimately apply for a coordinator role. It’s worth noting all our current coordinators began their Scihigh journey as junior volunteers and have successfully progressed through the ranks.
Perks of being a Scihigh volunteer
Being part of Scihigh offers numerous benefits, from building valuable science communication skills and making new connections to memorable interactions with students.
Chris Go, a senior medical writer with Red Nucleus, recounts Scihigh’s impact on his personal growth. “As a coordinator for over six years, I inadvertently built knowledge translation skills working with audiences to address the scientific knowledge gaps in the education system.”
Dr. Go also says these skills directly impacted his career path, as he now applies the principles he built at Scihigh to drive projects aimed at impacting public health and patient outcomes.
“One of the most important skills that I learned is how to distill complex scientific ideas in an easy-to-understand manner and to tailor this information to different age groups,” says Kenana Al Kakouni, an Imaging Facility Manager at the Department of Cell and Systems Biology at the University of Toronto. “It also helped me get more comfortable with public speaking and leading workshops and activities.”
As a former Scihigh coordinator, Dr. Al Kakouni remembers numerous heartwarming moments involving younger students fascinated with banana DNA extraction, which is a common theme in the demonstrations.
Furthermore, Scihigh offers a chance to connect with peers across U of T and to bring friends along for a more enjoyable experience.
There are no costs to volunteering, as all travel-related expenses are covered and food is provided for long visits.
As a recognition of notable contributions to the Scihigh program, reference letters are available upon request.
Scihigh is also committed to recognizing all team members, and hosts special volunteer appreciation nights to recognize the tremendous effort put into making Scihigh an impactful organization. In previous years, this has included arcade nights and socials.
As a coordinator myself, I can attest to the personal growth and enjoyment I have gained being part of the Scihigh program. I encourage you to apply here.
Francesco Zangari
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