Registration:

• How do I register?

Online registration for the lecture series will open in late August.  Please visit the registration page for more details.

• Do I have to register my child separately?

Yes. We ask all parents to register their children separately. This is to ensure we capture the details of all children who attend 6 or more lectures and qualify to receive a graduation certificate at the end of the year.

• I can’t register for all the events.  Is there a waiting list?

Yes! Sometimes we reach seating capacity for an event. If that happens, we will try to secure a larger lecture hall in which case we will release additional tickets to the names on our waitlist. If you would like to be notified when seats become availble, please register your name on the waitlist. 

• Can I show up without registering?

Yes. However, to avoid disappointment we suggest attendees register in advance. You are welcome to attend without registration but admittance is not guaranteed.

• I need to cancel my registration. What should I do?

Please contact us if you cannot attend and we will give your seats to a family on the waiting list. Please email cymac@mcmaster.ca or call 905-521-2100 ext.73790.

Lectures:

• Is there an age limit?

The suggested age is children 7-14 years old but we do not restrict attendance to that demographic. Students as young as 5 and as old as 15 often attend.

• What topics do the lectures focus on?

MCYU lectures cover a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to: health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, business and history. Please visit our past events page to see our previous lecture topics.

• How do you choose the lecture topics?

Topics are selected based on recommendations from our children and youth attendees via an electronic survey emailed after each event.

• What is the structure of lecture day?

Lectures begin promptly at 11am. We begin with a short introduction by MCYU co-founder Dr. Sandy Raha, followed by the 45 minute interactive lecture and 15 minutes of a Q & A between children and the professor.

Sometimes we organize post-lecture activities for children directly following the event, which run for approximately one hour. 

• What are post-lecture activities?

Post-lecture events are hands-on experiential learning activities that relate to the lecture material. Children and youth are able to apply what they learned in the lecture to real-life scenarios, with the help of Let’s Talk Science mentors.  Examples of past post-lecture activities include:

Post Robotic Surgery Lecture: Navigating a remote control car through a maze while blindfolded
Post Genetics Lecture: Extracting DNA from a banana

• Can I volunteer?

Yes! We could always use more help.  Please email cymac@mcmaster.ca or leave your name and email at the registration table at one of our events.