Research Live!

Please note: Both the Research Live! and Spit for Science research programs are on hold until further notice.

Help local researchers advance science

Participate in studies led by local researchers with Research Live! during your visit to the Science Centre. Contribute to advancements in science and technology while learning about topics ranging from genetics to cognitive development. Your data can make a difference!

Information for Researchers—Do you need volunteers for an engaging study? Are you interested in advancing the public’s understanding of research? With nearly a million visitors a year, we’ve connected scientists with thousands of participants through our Research Live! program. We’ll work with you to create an informative, engaging experience for participants.

Spit for Science

A little bit of spit can help us make a healthier world!

Contribute to a major study by SickKids researchers and become one of our 30,000 Junior Scientists in Spit for Science 2, a fun and interactive research project on genetics led by SickKids researchers. Spit for Science 2 is a follow up to the original Spit for Science study conducted by SickKids at the Ontario Science Centre from 2008 to 2009, which had more than 17,000 participants.

Junior Scientists and their parents answer questions about the child’s behaviour, physical health and wellbeing, and each child plays a computer game to give researchers information about cognition. Then, they provide a DNA sample by spitting in a small tube.

Participation Criteria—Participants must be between the ages of 6 and 17. Parent participation is also required. Children and parents must have proficiency in English sufficient to answer questions about behaviour, health and wellbeing.