CurioCity - CurioCité | Quebec Curriculum

Marine plastics pollute every ocean on EarthArticles with Starting Points

Scientists estimate that there are more than 5.25 trillion plastic pieces floating on the surface of oceans. Read More »

Plastic Soup: The Great Pacific Garbage PatchArticles with Starting Points

What if instead of oats and marshmallows in your cereal bowl you woke upone morning to find tiny bits of plastic floating in your milk? This is what's happening to the creatures living in... Read More »

The many sides of 3D printingArticles with Starting Points

From manufacturing to medicine, the potential applications of 3D printing are almost endless. Read More »

Mmmmm….3D Printed Pizza?Articles with Starting Points

How keen would you be to eat 3D printed food? Read More »

Should scientists clone extinct species?Articles with Starting Points

What could be more thrilling than cloning dinosaurs and letting them roam free on an island? Read More »

A fractious energy debateArticles with Starting Points

What exactly is fracking—and why has it attracted so much controversy? Read More »

ALPHA: Cutting-edge bicycle technologyArticles

Aside from its awesome good looks, there’s a whole lot to like about this bike. Read More »

All aboard!Articles

Rowing has existed as a sport for a long time. The ancient civilizations of Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks all have left evidence that they organized boat races. Read More »

Telling timeArticles

For most of us, checking the time is as simple as looking at a watch or a clock—but have you ever wondered how these devices keep time? Read More »

Breaking down plastic one “mothful” at a timeArticles

Until recently, scientists thought that plastic could not be broken down by any organism. Read More »

Plastic + Agriculture = PlasticultureArticles

Agriculture is one example of an industry where plastics have long been used, and where they are starting to be used more intelligently. Read More »

Bottling it up!Articles

How do you solve the problem of affordable housing and the build up of non-biodegradable plastic bottles all in one go? Read More »

Sailing the oceans in a bottleArticles

Glance around at any cafeteria and you will see an astonishing number of people using plastic bottles. At best, they will be recycled and, at worst, they will be thrown away in the trash.... Read More »

Ollies, 5-0 Grinds off a Ledge...Articles

The first skateboards were nothing more than boxes or planks of wood on roller skate wheels. It wasn't until the 70's, though, that the current polyurethane (plastic) wheels were... Read More »

Clothing that keeps you dry even when it’s not rainingArticles with Starting Points

What sort of clothes will you be wearing under your jacket and pants when you get outside this winter for your favorite sport? Hopefully something made out of a fabric that will keep you... Read More »

BPAs and Plastic Water BottlesArticles

Though previously perceived to be harmless, there are now oodles of evidence that polycarbonate can leach BPA into water, and it is also fat-soluble, making it super easy to be absorbed by your body. Read More »

The evolution of the skiArticles

When Alpine Skiing became popular in the 1800s, skis weren’t much more than a couple of wooden planks attached to your feet with leather and laces. Skis have certainly come a long way! Read More »

Jabulani Joys or Jokes: the truth behind the 2010 World Cup footballArticles

If you’ve been watching the 2010 World Cup you’ve probably caught wind of a few controversies, most notable of which is the telecasting grief caused by South Africa’s now infamous... Read More »

Plastination - the new mummification!Articles

Seeing ancient Egyptian mummies like King Tut tells us that people have been preserving dead bodies for a long time. Read More »

Wax, curves and woodArticles

As you rip down the mountain on your fancy snowboard, do you ever wonder what makes it go, or why it handles the way it does? Read More »

Rot the RubbishArticles

A closer inspection of that flittering garbage on the side of roads reveals that it is mainly plastics. Cast away after only a short usage time, we have to ask ourselves whether we will... Read More »

CDs and DVDsArticles

CDs and DVDs are resistant against magnetic fields, heat, dust, small scratches, and most strong acids... So what are they made of? Read More »

Polystyrene - A great packaging material...almost too great?Articles

Here's a riddle for you: What material can be found in the grocery store, the music store, under roads and in the hospital? Give up? The answer is polystyrene! Read More »

Cheese, please?!Articles

Is that bright orange powder that comes in a Kraft Dinner box really cheese? Sort of. Read More »

Caramilk Mystery Solved!Articles

How do they get the caramel into the Caramilk bars? The real answer to the mystery isn’t quite as exotic as you might think, but it’s no less clever... Read More »

Espresso Book Machine... prints on demand.Articles

This device is finding its way into bookstores to deal with the problem of out-of-stock or out-of-print publications. Read More »

Clones!Articles

Administration (FDA) decision that cloned animals as food are no different from regular animals, you will surely be hearing about cloned animals a lot more in the future. Read More »

Ecosystem services: Natural landscapes in the cityArticles

What can extreme storms and flooded cities tell us about the valuable services nature can provide? Read More »

April showers... brings serious flooding to ManitobaArticles

Flooding of the Red River and its tributaries forced thousands of residents to evacuate. But when we aren’t affected by Mother Nature’s whims, seasonal flooding is a brilliant means of... Read More »

Water, water everywhere – it could be safe to drink!Articles

More than 884 million people around the world don’t have regular access to clean drinking water. And when natural disasters, like floods, earthquakes or tsunamis, strike, thousands more... Read More »

Bottled water: is it really healthier?Articles

So, you have that craving for chocolate? Well, what you might really have is thirst that is often masked as desire for sweets by our brain. And the easiest way to solve that is to get a... Read More »

Deepwater Horizon vs. the Mighty MississippiArticles

While the bad news keeps flowing — along with the oil — from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, a glimmer of good news surfaced last week. Read More »

The Mighty Mathematics of the LeverVideos

Archimedes once said “Give me a place to stand, and I shall move the Earth.” While the idea of a person moving such a huge mass on their own might sound impossible, chances are you’ve seen... Read More »

Inside the Human Robot FactoryVideos

Take a look inside the human robot factory with BBC and watch the production of human-like robots.

Injured robots learn to limpVideos

Scientists have been deliberately sabotaging walking robots to see how fast they learn to cope and adapt to mechanical faults. Read More »

The counterintuitive physics of turning a bikeVideos

This video from MinutePhysics explains the counterintuitive physics behind turning a bike. Read More »

Why is it harder to drive backwards?Videos

Practicing for your driver's test and finding the reverse parking to be trickiest? This video from Minute Physics explains why is is harder to drive backwards than forwards. Read More »

University of Toronto Team Wins Sikorsky Prize!Videos

The Aero Velo team (www.aerovelo.com) from the University of Toronto won the $250,000 Sikorsky prize for demonstrating a human-powered helicopter that, on June 13, 2013, stayed in the air... Read More »

Flash's day off... almostVideos

Flash is a little nervous when surrounded by big machines - but the engineers at Pratt & Whitney have got him covered as he learns about the technology & testing behind jet engines! Read More »

Rube Goldberg Machine Videos

Complete a simple task with a complex machine in 20 or more ridiculous steps...in this case to build a hamburger with patty, two vegetables, and two condiments. That is the challenge at... Read More »

FE MAIDENS... All-girl Robotics TeamVideos

When you hear the name Iron Maiden you probably think of the heavy metal band…but an all-girls robotics team is trying to change image, along with the idea that girls are not interested in... Read More »

Bowling and MachinesVideos

A look at how automated pinsetters work. Read More »

The Robotic Exoskeleton & The First Kick - World Cup 2014 Videos

The 2014 World Cup was kicked off by a young paraplegic wearing a robotic exoskeleton. Read More »

Innovator - Robotics EngineerVideos

April Blaylock is an Innovator who mashes up computer science with electrical and mechanical engineering to build cutting-edge flying robots. Courtesy of CareerMash. Read More »

Homemade Robots Videos

This episode of Joe Genius takes a look at some of the cool homemade robots people have been showing off online, and also how to you make your own bristlebots! Read More »

Woman Moves Robot with Mind - Nature VideosVideos

Technological advances can make huge differences in people's lives. This video features a robotic arm that can be moved using only the mind - A great benefit for anyone with paralysis! Read More »

Why Math? - Dinosaurs Alive!Videos

The VROC crew visits Cedar Point to learn about the new attraction, Dinosaurs Alive. Discover how math, animatronics and dinosaurs go together to create a unique experience for visitors to... Read More »

Why Math? - First RoboticsVideos

Follow a robotics team from Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board as they compete in the FIRST robotics contest, & hear from a judge who is an aerospace engineer consultant! Video... Read More »

Soft, Walking RobotVideos

Check out this soft, walking robot that was designed by researchers at Harvard. Read More »

AlphaDog PrototypeVideos

This is lab video of a Boston Dynamics robot prototype called “AlphaDog” which has been funded by DARPA. I'd be scared if I saw this coming toward me! Read More »

Man Controls Robotic Hand with MindVideos

For a month, Pierpaolo Petruzziello's amputated arm was connected to a robotic limb, allowing him to feel sensations and control the arm with his thoughts. Rossella Lorenzi talks to him... Read More »

Robotic Self-Assembling ChairVideos

Its not every chair that can put itself back together again. Read More »

Robotic Foosball TableVideos

When you put a semester’s worth of time, 500$, and 4 senior electrical/computer engineering undergrads together, you can end up with some pretty amazing projects. Read More »

Robot Portrait ArtistVideos

Profile drawn by a robot, includes the frame too! Read More »

Differential GearsVideos

Learn about gears and automobiles. Read More »

University of Toronto Team Wins Sikorsky Prize!Videos

The Aero Velo team (www.aerovelo.com) from the University of Toronto won the $250,000 Sikorsky prize for demonstrating a human-powered helicopter that, on June 13, 2013, stayed in the air... Read More »

Science of Speed - Momentum and TimeVideos

Learn how momentum is related to crash safety. Read More »

Science of Speed - Friction and HeatVideos

Learn the role of friction in racecar driving and why it can be a driver's best friend and worst enemy. Read More »

Power Engineering 101: Exploring a career in the subfield of electrical engineeringVideos

VROC interviewed Bill Shaw, Chief Power Engineer at Lambton College to learn about power engineering, a subfield of electrical engineering that deals with the generation, transmission and... Read More »

Career Option: Electrical EngineerVideos

Do you like designing and building things? And do you like electronics? Find out all that electronic engineers do - from getting you fresh produce to saving lives! Read More »

Mine EngineeringVideos

What does a mining engineer do? (2:33 min.) Read More »

Ping Pong Ball Breaks Sound BarrierVideos

Researchers have developed an air cannon that can shoot ping pong balls at super sonic speeds! That is faster than an F-16 fighter jet at low speeds! Read More »

Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Olympic Movement and Robotic Design (from the National Science Foundation)Videos

Learn about the movement of the Olympians and how they inspire technology and innovation. Read More »

Foam Metal Videos

How do you create a stronger metal? How about making it into a foam! Read More »

Sarah Robles and the Mechanics of WeightliftingVideos

The Science of the Summer Olympics - comparing a weightlifter's arm movements to a robotic arm! Video courtesy of NBCLearn. Read More »

The Biomechanics of Usain BoltVideos

The Science of the Summer Olympics - Bolt's stride, strength, and muscle coordination make him a biomechanical marvel! Read More »

Ocean ConfettiVideos

This video looks at how the features of plastic that makes is so useful to us (cheap, durable and expendable) have resulted in serious issues in the ocean. Addresses both macro and microplastics. Read More »

Soy Plastic Innovation from the University of GuelphVideos

University of Guelph researchers see possibilities for soya meal as a component of bioplastics for products such as biodegradable, compostable plastic bags Read More »

Chemists work up new formulas for greener plastic - Science NationVideos

Chemists are working on new strategies using renewable feedstock chemicals, such as sugars, plant oils and other naturally sourced starting materials to create environmentally-friendly polymers. Read More »

Make Your Own Messenger BagVideos

In this podcast you'll learn how to fuse plastic together and then make a bag out of it! All you need is an iron, plastic bags, sewing machine, and some straps and buckles. Read More »

What is Biomanufacturing?Videos

A short video (1:50 min) that defines biomanufacturing. Read More »

Industrial uses of nuclear technologies (CNSC)Videos

This CNSC educational video explains how nuclear technology is used safely in industrial applications. (1:50 min.) Read More »

The infinite life of piVideos

The ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter is always the same: 3.14159... and on and on (literally!) forever. Reynaldo Lopes explains pi's vast applications to the study of... Read More »

Printing Figures in 3-DVideos

The Zcorp 510 can print in colour… and in three dimensions! Read More »

Living Room Science - 3D PrinterVideos

This 23 year old not only helped design a 3D printer currently on the market, he also built one in his living room! Read More »

Keeping Cool without Killing the Planet - Speaking of ChemistryVideos

In episode 21 of Speaking of Chemistry, this video looks at the pros and cons of new more environmentally friendly refrigeration alternatives. (3:19 min.) Read More »

Liquid 3D Printing ExplainedVideos

This video from AAAS explains a new 3D printing process called CLIP (continuous liquid interface production), which could revolutionize 3D printing. Read More »

3D printer prints ten houses in a single dayVideos

A private company has a huge 3-D printer and they use it to print houses out of recycled materials. Read More »

Peachy PrinterVideos

A man from Saskatchewan has invented an affordable, motorless 3-D printer. He raised over $700 000 from crowd sourcing to fund his research! Read More »

3-D Printed Escher ModelsVideos

Artist M.C. Escher's mind-bending images have long been favourite posters in math and science classrooms and student dorms. A professor in Israel has used CAD and 3-D printing to bring some... Read More »

3D printed implant saves baby's lifeVideos

When a baby stopped breathing a 3D printed absorbable splint in his airway saved his life Read More »

Printing Figures in 3-DVideos

The Zcorp 510 can print in colour… and in three dimensions! Read More »

Leaders Of The 3D Printing RevolutionVideos

Shapeways opens up 3D printing to the masses, allowing us to design and share our ideas as well as realize them as physical objects. Read More »

What is Biomanufacturing?Videos

A short video (1:50 min) that defines biomanufacturing. Read More »

The many uses of Xylanase: industrial applicationsBackgrounders

Xylanases are enzymes commonly found in micro-organisms, marine algae, protozoans, snails, crustaceans, insects, seeds, plants, and other natural sources. Read More »

Biotechnology at a GlanceBackgrounders

Learn about different types of biotechnology and their products. Read More »

Brad Simon - Engineering Technologist Career Profiles

I work on our programmable logic control (PLC) systems, the robotic or automation systems, as well as with Vision Processing which includes using sensors, cameras, etc. as part of the... Read More »

Paul Roberts - Senior Mechanical Systems EngineerCareer Profiles

Paul is an engineer working in space robotics, using science and math to solve people's problems. Read More »

Ryan Gomes - Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)Career Profiles

Ryan helps ensure that the planes you fly in are safely maintained and working well! Read More »

Nathan Murdoch - Junior Structural Engineer-in-TrainingCareer Profiles

Nathan works as part of a team of engineers to design & analyze structural components for transportation projects Read More »

Bonnie Douglas - Industrial EngineerCareer Profiles

Bonnie uses her scientific skills for 'good' while making delicious ice cream. Read More »

Bridget Tomlinson - Director of QualityCareer Profiles

Bridget started on the shop floor & now is in charge of ensuring products across North America are of the highest quality. Read More »

Chris Goodine - Control & Electrical LeadVideos

Chris is a Builder who combines a love for hockey with mechatronics and robotic engineering as the control & electrical lead at Hockey Robotics, a start-up that is introducing new... Read More »

Mitchell Chaulk - Computer Engineer and Project ManagerCareer Profiles

I write software for a wireless power company, as well as manage customer-related projects. In addition, I've recently completed a masters in Biomedical Engineering. Read More »

Ryan Salter - Software DeveloperCareer Profiles

Ryan writes the manufacturing software that factories need to get BlackBerry smartphones and PlayBook tablets ready to sell. Read More »

Hilary Hoops - Product Designer and Electrical EngineerCareer Profiles

As a product designer for ThinkGeek, Hilary dreams up and designs fun interactive products/toys for the masses. Read More »

Water Treatment Field Service TechnicianCareer Profiles

Semyon Read More »

Monique Haakensen - President & Principal ScientistCareer Profiles

Monique helps to clean water and soils to help improve the impact of essential operations on our environment. (learn more about Monique as she participates in Read More »

Environmental Specialist - Making sure our water stays clean.Career Profiles

Environmental specialists are the frontline caretakers of our planet: they help to make sure the Earth stays clean, and try to keep its inhabitants (plants, insects, fish, and animals: you... Read More »