About the Youth-for-Youth (Y4Y) Innovation Program
During the Y4Y Innovation Program, participants will:
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Science Centre, including engaging with our on-staff scientists, exhibit fabrication staff, audiovisual technicians, 2D and 3D designers, motion graphics animators, animal care experts, program developers and more. Plus, participants will speak to some special guests who use their science expertise in careers outside the Science Centre.
- Work as part of a team to develop a problem-based design project with support from youth mentors and Science Centre staff.
- Present their projects to a panel of peers, Science Centre Staff and program partners.
Program Location
Y4Y will take place in the Ontario Science Centre at 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto. Participants will also occasionally visit the Science Centre’s adjacent parklands. The Science Centre’s Challenge Zone will serve as home base for participants.
Program Dates
- Session 1: Monday, July 17 – Thursday, July 27
- Session 2: Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 11*
- Session 3: Tuesday, August 15 – Friday, August 25
*No session on Monday August 7 due to Civic Holiday.
Program Times
Check-in will take place each day between 8:45 and 9 a.m. Check-out will occur at 3:30 p.m.
Check-In and Check-Out Procedures
On the registration form, the parent/legal guardian must indicate whether the participant may independently check in and out or whether a parent/legal guardian must be present. All parents/guardians, authorized pick-up persons and emergency contacts will be required to present photo ID each day before participants are released to their care. This ID must match the name provided on the participant’s registration form. Please provide legal names, not preferred or chosen names (e.g., do not write “Mike” for “Michael”), on the booking form.
Communicating Absences
If your participant cannot attend a day of the program due to unforeseen circumstances, please email us before 9 a.m. to report their absence.
Cancellation Policy
If your child is unable to participate in the program, please contact us as soon as possible so that another applicant can be selected. Please note that the Science Centre reserves the right to terminate the enrolment of any participant if, in the opinion of the manager, it is in the best interest of the participant and/or the Y4Y Program.
Questions
How does the stipend work?
After participants have completed the program, they will be paid $25 for each day they attended. The Ontario Science Centre will mail a cheque: this may take up to three weeks after the session to arrive. Cheques will be made out to the participant using their legal name. If the participant does not have a chequing account, they will need to endorse the cheque to a parent/guardian.
How do I change my contact information?
To make changes to your contact information before or during the program, please contact us.
What should my participant wear to the program?
Participants must be dressed comfortably and appropriately, based on the weather. They will receive two Y4Y T-shirts on the first day of the program. Participants must wear their Y4Y T-shirts every day that they are on site at the Ontario Science Centre. Closed-toe shoes are mandatory every day of the program. Open-toed shoes, roller shoes and Crocs are not considered safe for participation in the program.
What should my participant bring to the program?
Each participant should bring a backpack containing the following items:
- A water bottle
- A sweater/sweatshirt
- Nut-free snacks
- Sunscreen/sun hat and bug spray
Participants should not bring personal items of value, such as electronics, as there are no lockers available to store personal belongings. Participants may keep cellphones on their person for emergency contact with their parent/guardian, but use of cellphones will not be allowed during the program. The Science Centre is not responsible for lost or damaged goods.
What will my participant eat at the program?
Participants should bring two nut-free snacks and a refillable water bottle. We encourage litter-less snacks. Lunch will be provided daily. Please note that refrigerators and microwaves will not be available to participants.
Important Notice
To protect participants with allergies, snacks containing nuts of any kind are NOT permitted. Please note that the Ontario Science Centre cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
Who will deliver the program?
The Y4Y program will be delivered by responsible, enthusiastic and caring counsellors with experience working with children in an educational and/or recreational environment. Our diverse staff includes teachers, science educators and university and high school level students with expertise in science or education. All counsellors are required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check.
Can Science Centre visitors access program rooms and/or join program activities?
Neither Ontario Science Centre visitors nor participant parents/guardians are permitted to enter the Challenge Zone or to join program activities.
What health and safety measures are in place?
Please complete the Medical/Special Needs Form if you have medical information you need to provide about your participant(s).
Ontario Science Centre staff do not administer medication. If your participant must take medication during their program day, please see a program supervisor or your participant’s counsellor to discuss options. While we will do our best to remind participants of their medications, we cannot guarantee this.
For the health and safety of your participant(s) and because their activities take place throughout the Ontario Science Centre, we require participant(s) with EpiPens® to carry them at all times.
All members of the Ontario Science Centre’s protective services staff, as well as program staff, are trained in First Aid and CPR.
What if my participant has special needs?
The Ontario Science Centre recognizes the individual needs of participants. Upon your participant's selection for the program, please fill out the Medical/Special Needs Form provided to indicate their special need(s) or medical information. After receiving your form, we may be in touch with you prior to your program for more information.
The Science Centre does not provide one- on-one supervision or specific medical support, but participants with special needs may have an adult support person accompany them free of charge. Please inform us of your plan to provide a participant with a support person in advance so we may prepare accordingly.
Participant Code of Conduct
- Respect fellow participants, staff and other visitors.
- Treat people the way I would like to be treated.
- Cooperate with Program staff and follow their instructions.
- Stay with my group, unless I have special permission not to be with them.
In order for all to enjoy their program experience, it is expected that participants will respect each other, their counsellors, supervisors and their environment while in the program. It is also expected that no participant will exhibit behaviour that is harmful to themself or anyone else.
If a participant does not adhere to our Participant Code of Conduct or behaves in an unsuitable or unsafe manner, their registering parent/guardian will be notified. If it becomes necessary to remove the participant, a partial refund will be considered. Violent behaviour or actions jeopardizing the safety of others will not be tolerated and will result in termination of the enrolment.