Opening Doors to Discovery: McGill’s TOSI Lab Tours
Curiosity fans and future scientists have a fresh chance to see science in action. The Tanenbaum Open Science Institute (TOSI) Trainee Council has announced a new round of lab tours running from October 27 to November 6, inviting students and curious members of the public to peek behind the curtain of everyday research at McGill University. These guided visits are designed to demystify how modern laboratories operate, what questions scientists pursue, and how teamwork turns hypotheses into experiments and, ultimately, new knowledge.
What to Expect on a TOSI Lab Tour
Participants can expect a structured, informative experience that balances broad context with hands-on detail. Trained council members guide visitors through a variety of lab environments, from biology and biomedical research to data science and materials science. Each stop offers an introduction to the specific aims of the lab, a walkthrough of everyday workflows, and an explanation of the technologies that enable cutting-edge inquiry.
The tours emphasize:
- Research processes: how researchers design experiments, collect and analyze data, and validate results.
- Instrumentation and methods: real-world demonstrations of microscopy, sequencing, computational modeling, and other essential tools.
- Safety and ethics: best practices in lab safety and responsible conduct of research.
- Career pathways: insights into graduate work, postdoctoral roles, and the wide range of careers open to science graduates.
Multidisciplinary groups are encouraged to attend. Whether you’re in science, engineering, computer science, or the humanities, the tours are crafted to be accessible and engaging for varied levels of prior experience.
Why McGill and Why Now?
McGill University sits at the intersection of high-impact research and vibrant student life. The TOSI Trainee Council’s initiative reflects a broader trend in open science: making research more transparent and approachable. By inviting students to observe labs in action, TOSI aims to spark interest, improve scientific literacy, and help the next generation understand how research translates into tangible outcomes—be it medical breakthroughs, new computational methods, or advances in sustainable technology.
Open doors like these are particularly timely as universities seek to bridge the gap between classrooms and real-world research environments. Familiar faces—undergraduates, masters students, and emerging scholars—get a front-row seat to how ideas are tested, refined, and communicated across disciplines.
Logistics: How to Participate
The October 27–November 6 tour window includes several sessions spread across different days to accommodate schedules. Registration details, locations, and the exact tour times are updated on the TOSI and McGill event pages. Prospective visitors should note that spaces are limited and advance registration is recommended to secure a spot. Families and educators are welcome to join, provided they register in advance and adhere to safety guidelines set by the host labs.
Participants can plan to spend a couple of hours exploring multiple labs. Some stops may involve brief demonstrations or Q&A sessions with graduate students and postdocs who run the experiments or manage data workflows. Attendees should come with curiosity, a willingness to ask questions, and light expectations about technical depth—these tours are designed to be informative without assuming extensive prior lab experience.
How These Tours Benefit Students and Researchers
For students, the tours offer a rare inside look at what everyday research feels like, what skills are in demand, and how to prepare for future studies or STEM careers. For researchers, the initiative provides an opportunity to engage with the public, share the excitement of discovery, and highlight the importance of transparent, open science practices. In both directions, the open-door approach helps break down stereotypes about laboratories being distant or inaccessible spaces.
Whether you’re exploring strong graduate programs, considering a STEM-related career, or simply curious about how science moves from bench to breakthrough, these TOSI lab tours present a valuable gateway to McGill’s research ecosystem. Don’t miss your chance to step inside and see how inquiry unfolds in real time.
