Student Experience
BY THE NUMBERS
STUDENT FEATURES
From the Classroom to Cutting-Edge Technology: Marisa Chiaravalloti's Journey at the SDZ
Marisa Chiaravalloti, a 4th year Biomedical Sciences student, is no stranger to the SDZ. Since the beginning of her engagement with the Zone in Winter 2023, she has been heavily invovled in our programming, exemplifying the diverse opportunities we offer to enhance workplace readiness and entrepreneurial skills among students.
This summer, Marisa achieved a significant milestone by securing a paid position as a Research Assistant at Fibra Inc., a cutting-edge health-tech startup nurtured within the SDZ! She is working in our fabrication lab to support the development of Fibra's innovative smart wearable undergarment.
Marisa's journey embodies the impactful synergy between academic learning and real-world application at the SDZ. Learn more about her learning's from SCI888 in the article linked here (opens in new window) !
“I learned a lot in a short period of time...I would definitely recommend this course to other students who are interested in learning career boosting skills in a non-traditional class setting.”
Empowering Innovation: Bridging Computer Science with Healthcare Innovation
Ahmed Ali, a second year Computer Science major, joined our Biomakerspace program with an open mind and a keen fascination to explore innovative ways to solve healthcare challenges. Ahmed had an interest in entrepreneurship–looking to become equipped with tools to one day lauch his own venture–and an eagerness to learn how to apply his computer science acumen to other fields of work.
In addition to the $900 stipend he received for participating in the program, Ahmad and his fellow team members were able to prototype their startup idea and pitch their venture, SwiftVisit, at the SDZ's Startup Showcase! This event gave them exposure to mentors, researchers, and other founders within the SDZ community, all who could provide inspiration and support throughout their journey. Learn more about the Biomakerspace program and student experiences abroad in the article linked here (opens in new window) !
"Collaborating with a team to consistently explore and challenge new problems [was] extremely beneficial for me as I did not get the opportunity to do so in any of my university classes."
Lab Life Unlocked: Madeline's journey with Epiloid Biotech
Madeline Driscoll is a fourth-year Biomedical Science student at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Maddy's journey with the Science Discovery Zone (SDZ) began through the Student-in-Residence Program (opens in new window) , which pairs TMU students with SDZ startups for short-term entrepreneurial work placements.
Maddy was matched with Epiloid Biotechnology (external link, opens in new window) as a Laboratory Assistant to prepare and analyze samples and help run experiments. Maddy seized the opportunity to bridge the gap between her academic studies and real-world applications.
Reflecting on her experience, Maddy shared:
"I thought it was very cool to be able to take course concepts from my classes and see them be applied in real life. For example, I took a class on stem cells last semester, and then through the placement, I had the opportunity to actually work with them in a lab."
This sentiment captures the essence of the Student-in-Residence program—enabling students to apply classroom learning in real-world settings. Maddy's placement at Epiloid Biotechnology provided her with a hands-on understanding of laboratory work, significantly enhancing her academic and professional trajectory.
Maddy also shared how this experience is setting her up for the future:
"I think that this placement could act as a great stepping stone for my future aspirations. It's helped give me some background on what the day-to-day at a biotech company actually looks like. It has also given me valuable experiences to put on my resume."
PROGRAM FEATURE
Momentum is our new incuabtor program designed to propel ideation stage STEM startups to new heights.
Offering personalized support tailored to each venture’s unique needs, Momentum provides access to workshops, essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Summer '24 Cohort
The Momentum Program at the Science Discovery Zone (SDZ) provides support and growth for ideation-stage STEM startups, guiding them through the earliest stages of development.
This in-person program featured 15 sessions, including expert talks from five later-stage SDZ startup founders and three social events that fostered networking & collaboration. The sessions covered key startup fundamentals, from problem identification and business model development to competitor analysis and pitch crafting, equipping participants with essential entrepreneurial tools.
Participants highlighted the program’s supportive and communicative environment, with one noting,
"The vibe here is friendly, open, and productive."
Many appreciated the interactive nature of the sessions, which made learning engaging and practical. The program also emphasized the value of networking with diverse peers, helping participants narrow their focus and gain confidence in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
Aligning seamlessly with SDZ’s mission, Momentum nurtures innovation, supports student growth, and fosters community engagement, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to transform ideas into impactful solutions.
OUR PROGRAMS & COURSES
At the Science Discovery Zone (SDZ), we provide exploratory scientific entrepreneurship programs, experiential learning & skills development opportunities for students, and startup incubation programs for scientific entrepreneurs.
At the Science Discovery Zone, we are dedicated to bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. Our mission is to ignite curiosity, foster innovation, and cultivate the next generation of leaders in scientific entrepreneurship.
In a rapidly evolving world, the ability to think creatively and act with entrepreneurial mindset is more crucial than ever. We believe that hands-on experience and real-world learning are key to preparing students for future success. Our programs are designed to offer more than just academic knowledge—they provide the skills, experiences, and opportunities necessary for students to thrive in today's dynamic work environments.
At the SDZ, we offer a range of programs that bridge learning with practical experience. From startup incubation that nurtures promising ideas into viable businesses, to courses that equip students with critical skills for the future, we are committed to providing a comprehensive and immersive learning environment.
Want to express your interest in our student-facing programs? Submit this form! (external link, opens in new window)
Skills and Development Programs
Through experiential learning and skills development opportunities, we help students acquire practical expertise and gain valuable insights into the entrepreneurial process.
Biomakerspace gives TMU students a hands-on and practical learning experience that is at the intersection of entrepreneurship and scientific innovation. Students explore industry problems and test creative ways to solve them using our prototyping spaces + tools.
TMU students work with SDZ startups on short-term projects. Over the course of a term, students exercise their skills, increase their employability, and connect with entrepreneurs through work-integrated learning placements.
The SDZ works with its startups & industry partners to create student-facing innovation challenges to solve industry-related problems. Challenges are short-term and designed to create a safe space for learning and idea generation.
Science Entrepreneurship & Research Commercialization
Our exploratory scientific entrepreneurship programs are crafted to inspire students, researchers, and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to explore new ideas and develop innovative solutions.
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Lab2Market Discover is a 10-week program open to any STEM researcher (Masters, Ph.D., and Postdoc) in Canada interested in learning about the steps needed to commercialize research and whether entrepreneurship is a path they can or should pursue.
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The SDZ is a program partner with Ontario Genomics' BioCreate program, supporting SMEs in southern Ontario to commercialize genomics and engineering biology products in health, food, agriculture, and cleantech. The program offers $150,000 in non-repayable funding, mentorship, infrastructure access, and investor pitching opportunities, targeting 32 high-potential companies over five years.
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Accelerate your startup’s momentum towards success with this 4-month program. This program is designed to propel ideation-stage STEM startups to new heights by offering personalized support tailored to each venture’s unique needs.