On March 4, the University of Toronto welcomed a group of 25 enthusiastic Grade 5 and 6 students from North Bendale Junior Public School, based in Scarborough, for an immersive learning experience focused on water sustainability and engineering. The event was made possible through a Community Connected Experiential Learning (CCEL) grant awarded by the Toronto District School Board to a team of three teachers from North Bendale, allowing their students to explore real-world water challenges through hands-on learning.
“The kids were incredibly engaged, asked great questions, and had a great time exploring topics like the environment, artificial intelligence, and water conservation,” said Mandeep Rayat, Manager of the Institute for Water Innovation.
The day’s programming began in GB202, where Professor Frank Gu delivered a talk on household and industrial water use, highlighting the importance of sustainable water management. Students then toured the Chemical Engineering Unit Operations Laboratory, led by Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory Technician Victoria Kirou, where they observed refrigeration, distillation, and fluidized bed reactors in action.
The final session featured CivMin PhD student Mennatallah Alnahas, who introduced students to drinking water treatment processes. Through a hands-on demonstration of coagulation and flocculation, students saw firsthand how engineering plays a crucial role in providing safe drinking water.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
This initiative is part of a broader effort to engage young minds and spark interest in solving real-world water challenges.
“We are already planning our next outreach event for mid-April, where we will welcome students from the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School (JICS Lab School),” says Rayat.
A special thank you was extended to Jennifer Farmer and Alex Dean, who prepared kid-sized lab coats that were a highlight for the students, as well as Victoria Kirou for leading an engaging tour of the Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory.
Looking ahead, the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry is expanding its outreach efforts, including an upcoming event for Indigenous students from across Ontario in collaboration with the Indigenous Research Network.
“These outreach initiatives are critical in making engineering education more accessible and inclusive,” says Gu. “By engaging students from diverse backgrounds at an early stage, we hope to inspire the next generation of engineers who will tackle global sustainability challenges.”