MUNButtoned: Taking research out of the lab and into the…mall?

By Diane Keough | Oct. 1, 2014

The Harris Centre is taking Memorial research out on the town with the second annual MUNButtoned Festival of Research. From Oct. 1-4, the festival aims to bring research out of the traditional academic setting to make it more accessible and easy to understand with events and activities at the Rocket Bakery in downtown St. John's, the University Centre on the St. John's campus and the Avalon Mall.

“We had a great response to the event last year, from both the public and researchers," said Bojan Fürst, manager, knowledge mobilization, Harris Centre. "There is a real interest to learn about all the cool research happening at Memorial, and MUNButtoned presents it in a way that’s fun and accessible to everybody."

MUNButtoned 2013

MUNButtoned began with the session How We Work, Live and Play. It is a crash course in research on Newfoundland and Labrador society, with 10 fast-paced presentations focusing on health and wellness, community development, immigration, economy, environment and heritage. Presenters are restricted to a maximum of 20 slides, which change automatically after 20 seconds, to outline their research. It was held at the Rocket Room above Rocket Bakery in downtown St. John's the evening of Oct. 1.

On Thursday, Oct. 2, the session Story, Song and Stage, aims to dispel the notion that research is not entertaining. It is a night of performances that link to research projects, ranging from art therapy and traditional song, to local theatre and youth choirs. It will take place at the Rocket Room, Rocket Bakery from 7-9 p.m.

The Applied Research Info Fair marks day three of the event. It is an opportunity to learn about the Harris Centre and share ideas for applied research at Memorial. It will take place at The Loft in the University Centre on Friday, Oct. 3, from 12-1 p.m.

This year, MUNButtoned concludes with a family-friendly Super Science Fair at the Avalon Mall Gap Court on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 2-4 p.m. It features some of Memorial’s top minds and exciting projects, showcasing hands-on activities such as a touch-tank for sea creatures, a math scavenger hunt, everyday physics and more, and promises to be interesting for children and adults alike.

"There will be a wide-range of research on display this year," said Mr. Fürst. "It’s an opportunity for us to showcase some of the truly amazing things happening at Memorial."

All events are open to the public, free of charge. To view the complete schedule of events and locations, visit www.munbuttoned.ca


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