On February 4, 2026, Perimeter researchers and outreach staff attended Youth STEM Expo 2026. Organized by the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST) and hosted at University of Toronto Scarborough, the event brought youth aged 15-30 together with leaders in Canada’s STEM community. It was a chance for Perimeter to engage with the next generation of scientists as well as other educators and Canadian STEM institutions.
Ghazal Geshnizjani, Perimeter Institute Teaching Faculty, was featured on a panel called ‘Physics Pathways’. The panel explored emerging opportunities for students interested in a career in physics, along with information about the programs, mentors, and support available to help students along the way. Geshnizjani was joined on the panel by Aveen Mahon, TRIUMF researcher and PhD student at University of Victoria, Rachel Richardson, Education and Outreach Coordinator for SNOLAB, and Tony Noble, Scientific Director of the McDonald Institute.
Speaking alongside major Canadian experimental physics representatives “created a valuable opportunity to highlight how research in theoretical physics is foundational and a crucial part of the scientific endeavour,” says Geshnizjani.
“I was pleasantly surprised to see the participation of a large number of students at the expo from historically marginalized groups in STEM fields,” says Geshnizjani. “The Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology’s profile for advocacy work and their network played a big role in the turn out.”
Throughout the day, Geshnizjani met with participants at Perimeter’s outreach booth, alongside two of Perimeter’s resident PhD students: Raquel Izquierdo Garcia and Batia Friedman-Shaw. The trio shared what it’s like studying theoretical physics at Perimeter and showcased a hands-on quantum card game.
“My role was to talk to students and parents about the different opportunities Perimeter Institute offers for students, including outreach events and outreach resources they can find on our website,” explains Izquierdo Garcia. “But the most important thing was to excite people about the wonderful research done nowadays in theoretical physics and the impact that previous theoretical physics research has on our everyday life.”
Izquierdo Garcia was excited to see how many young people were keen to learn about new developments in theoretical physics. “The students and other participants in the expo were really interested in learning what theoretical physicists are working on nowadays,” she says. “There were 13-year-olds asking questions about dark matter and string theory. It is really inspiring to see so many young people from very different backgrounds asking questions about this very advanced research and be so interested in fundamental physics.”
Friedman-Shaw recounts one of her favourite moments of the day: “A high school student asked if you had to be a genius to do research at Perimeter Institute. I told him, ‘I’ll let you in on a secret. No one at Perimeter is a genius. We’ve all just spent many years learning about physics.’ He looked extremely shocked. I hope he'll dream a little bigger now.”
Two members of Perimeter’s Outreach team – Teacher in Residence Dave Fish and Outreach Scientist Kelly Foyle – presented a workshop for 17 Grade 10-12 girls. The participants were tasked with solving a mystery in a tabletop escape room called “Escape the Museum.” To complete the challenge, the students had to crack problems related to renowned female scientists.
“It is crucial for Perimeter to be at events like STEM Expo 2026 to give girls a chance to engage with science and see that they belong in STEM,” says Fish.
“It was great to spend time with youth engaged in science,” adds Foyle.
At the end of the day, it was clear that researchers and expo attendees alike shared a deep love of learning. “This experience reminded me that everyone loves physics,” says Izquierdo Garcia. “It’s impossible not to be excited about questions, like what is the world made out of, what happened at the beginning of the universe, and more.”
An online version of the “Escape the Museum” workshop is available on the Perimeter website. Educators can access the materials here: https://resources.perimeterinstitute.ca/products/escape-the-museum-breakout-activity
À propos de l’IP
L'Institut Périmètre est le plus grand centre de recherche en physique théorique au monde. Fondé en 1999, cet institut indépendant vise à favoriser les percées dans la compréhension fondamentale de notre univers, des plus infimes particules au cosmos tout entier. Les recherches effectuées à l’Institut Périmètre reposent sur l'idée que la science fondamentale fait progresser le savoir humain et catalyse l'innovation, et que la physique théorique d'aujourd'hui est la technologie de demain. Situé dans la région de Waterloo, cet établissement sans but lucratif met de l'avant un partenariat public-privé unique en son genre avec entre autres les gouvernements de l'Ontario et du Canada. Il facilite la recherche de pointe, forme la prochaine génération de pionniers de la science et communique le pouvoir de la physique grâce à des programmes primés d'éducation et de vulgarisation.
