Former UBC collective aims to make science accessible to the public

"Although science is a large faculty within UBC and many institutions, accessing science outside of the institutions and classrooms is more challenging for the general public. How can a citizen participate in science without equipment, lab time, expertise, or even collaborators? In 2009, a group of UBC students and staff recognized these barriers and teamed up to democratize science, increase its accessibility and create an interdisciplinary platform for idea exchange. They created the Open Science Network (OSN). The Open Science Network is a non-profit society that serves the science and maker community through education, outreach and the provision of space. Currently, they run an open community lab out of the MakerLabs space on East Cordova and Main street, which is a compact space housing microscopes, a freezer, basic lab equipment and an impressive amount of activity...."