Students in lecture hall engaging in conversation with presenter

Gairdner Connects: Connecting people, ideas & science

Gairdner Connects is the Gairdner Foundation's national outreach program, bringing science to communities across Canada.

Through interactive events, discussions, and digital resources, Gairdner Connects inspires curiosity and fosters conversations about the discoveries shaping human health. Working with over 20 universities and educational partners across Canada, we engage more than 6,000 students annually, fostering meaningful connections between Gairdner Award-winning scientists and the next generation of researchers.

Find an Event Near You

Gairdner Connects programming takes place across Canada and online, creating opportunities for students, educators, researchers and communities to engage with Gairdner Award-winning scientists. From high school and university programs to public lectures and virtual events, each program is designed to inspire curiosity and meaningful conversations about science. 

 

VIEW ALL GAIRDNER CONNECTS EVENTS
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People in a university lecture hall listening to a speaker

Resources and Learning

Explore the science behind the Canada Gairdner Awards through articles, videos, learning resources, and more. Developed with scientists, educators, and youth partners, our collection makes today's scientific discoveries engaging and accessible.View All Gairdner Connects Resources

 

What Our Students Are Saying

Gairdner Connects programming is designed to centre student voices and engagement through public and academic lectures, mentorship panels, networking sessions and moderated discussions. Overall attendee experience in Gairdner Connects programming was rated at 4.4 out of 5 by students, 80% reported an increased interest in STEM and STEM coursework, 60% reported increased interest in pursuing a STEM-related career.

StudentTestimonialVideo

  • “The event was wonderful! I had the chance to see live lectures. I got to meet people who have made such large contributions and will stay with me as inspiration. It was also great to connect my knowledge from my science courses seeing how their application makes real life difference, also cool to see how years of work by researchers makes this knowledge available to us!”
    Grade 10 Student
  • “The event was such an inspiring experience! I had the opportunity to hear directly from world-renowned researchers and see how their discoveries are shaping the world around us. It was amazing to connect what I’ve learned in my science classes to real-life innovations and realize the impact years of dedicated research can have.”
    Grade 12 Student
  • “It was great to connect my knowledge from my science courses seeing how their application makes real life difference!”
    Grade 11 Student
  • ”I felt very inspired by all the researchers, and I began to consider what I would like to research in the future. I enjoyed hearing about their journeys and how they persevered. I was very grateful for this opportunity."
    Grade 9 Student

Gairdner Connects Partnerships and Sponsors

Gairdner Connects is made possible through collaboration with universities, schools, educators, and community organizations across Canada. Together, we create engaging learning experiences that expand access to science education and connect students with world-leading researchers.