The other day someone asked me if I was all ready for Christmas. It wasn’t even December yet! Bah humbug. I don’t have a tree yet, nor am I ready to deal with decorating my house. The only thing I start doing before December is shopping. Not that I’m finished, but I’m in a good place. If you are still looking for gifts for the people in your life, here are some science-themed ideas that are sure to inspire and impress!
Canada’s oldest scientific organization, the Royal Canadian Institute for Science (RCIScience), is holding a fundraising auction with some unique gifts and experiences. You can get behind-the-scenes access to fun and different Toronto/GTA locations such as Ripley’s Aquarium, the Ontario Science Centre and The Weather Network, or perhaps you’d like a private tour of the Toronto Zoo, or the dinosaur exhibit at the ROM, or Telus Spark, in Calgary, with Jay Ingram leading the tour? If I haven’t whet your appetite yet, you can learn how cheese is made at an artisan cheese-making plant or have a fungi foraging experience. Many of these gifts are for 6-10 people – your Christmas shopping is practically done.
If you are a fan of regenerative medicine, and I’m assuming you are, how would you like to tour CCRM’s labs? The public doesn’t usually get access to our manufacturing facilities, but we’re making an exception. A scientist will describe the work that happens and the special equipment we use. You’ll even “gown up” so you’re dressed like a scientist, and you can take photos to post on your social media feeds or use as next year’s Christmas card. Like the other items in the auction, this will be a unique and memorable experience.
RCIScience is a registered charity that connects Canadians to science, and we know how important science literacy is. Help them continue to educate, excite and delight Canadians by supporting their efforts. They are more than three quarters of the way to reaching their goal, but the auction closes on December 5 at 1 p.m. EST. View the items and be prepared to shop!
Tahani Baakdhah, MD, PhD, is a vision researcher with the Krembil Research Institute. Her bio on the Sivak Lab website describes her as “working on establishing a protocol to grow retinal ganglion cell enriched organoids in order to replace cells lost in glaucoma.” Then there is her other life: Dr. Baakdhah is a science communicator who expresses her passion for science, and educates the public, by crocheting things she studies in her research, such as neurons, different types of cells, and more.
I follow her on Twitter @Thepurplelilac (she’s also on Instagram with the same handle) and saw that she is selling her work at The Gorilla Store. I’m so excited to have discovered this shop. It sells all sorts of great items for the science enthusiast in your life. There are books and puzzles and a category called STEM products, and so much more. The store carries items for “students, makers, artists and STEAM educators.” Definitely check it out.
You can also find a wide range of Dr. Baakdhah’s adorable, cushy crochet on her Etsy page. And she has even written a book that provides instructions on how to crochet stem cells and the retina. Be sure to visit her website to see all of her wonderful products.
As with past Signals blogs that have featured gift ideas, I’m not being incentivized to promote these items or stores. I just like to spread the word so fans of science can inspire others through cool gifts. In case you are looking for more ideas, check out Zazzle.
And from the AsapSCIENCE guys, here are their suggestions. The video is from 2015, but I did a quick online search and you can still find all the items that are mentioned here. Merry Christmas (and you’re welcome).
Stacey Johnson
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